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Handbook of Atmospheric Science
Atmospheric Research 70 (2004) 143 – 145 www.elsevier.com/locate/atmos
Book review Handbook of Atmospheric Science Edited by C.N. Hewitt and A. Jackson. Blackwell Publishing, 2003
Summary Handbook of Atmospheric Science is an outstanding reference text for atmospheric chemistry and pollution. There are also excellent chapters on overall synoptic meteorology and climate modeling. Meteorology topics not covered include tropical and extra-tropical cyclone theory, numerical weather prediction, forecasting, severe local storms, atmospheric electrification, cloud microphysics, satellite remote sensing, weather radars, etc. ‘‘Handbook of Atmospheric Chemistry and Pollution’’ would be a more accurate title as these subjects are comprehensively discussed. Most of the chapters cover a large quantity of material and are rather dense, making them good for reference but not well suited to teach undergraduate students. Some of the chapters could be used for graduate level instruction. The book will prove prohibitively expensive (US$300 or o239) for most individuals rendering its most probable use as a library reference.
Discussion Handbook of Atmospheric Science is divided into two parts. The first lays a foundation of chemistry, energy transfer, synoptic meteorology and air pollution. The second part delves deeper into pollution, climate change and the modeling and measurements thereof. Individual chapters themselves are well organized and read smoothly, but the overall book is fragmented and somewhat disjointed. Many topics are redundantly discussed in different chapters. This is quite normal for books of this nature since a different author is responsible for each chapter. Professors will want to carefully choose any chapters from which to teach. The book is suited to those already having a background in atmospheric science and is not recommended for undergraduate education. Part 1 commences with two chapters examining the chemical evolution of the atmosphere and its current energy transfer and structure. Chapter 3 gives a nice overview of Earth’s current climate regimes. Chapters 4 and 5 present an overview of the cycling of various natural and anthropogenic compounds through the atmosphere. Atmospheric chemistry is comprehensively discussed in Chapters 6, 7 and 8. Chapter 9 covers aerosol composition and corresponding climate forcing. The dispersion of atmospheric pollutants is discussed in Chapter 10. Chapter 11 presents a very nice overview of synoptic meteorology. Part 1 concludes with an examination of atmospheric deposition processes in Chapter 12.
doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2004.03.001
144
Book review
Part 2 begins with Chapters 13 – 15, which cover global, regional and city air pollution problems, respectively. Measurement techniques for atmospheric pollutants are discussed in Chapter 16. Chapter 17 reviews the concept and practice of atmospheric emissions inventory. Pollution dispersion modeling is covered by Chapter 18. An excellent summary of climate modeling is presented in Chapter 19. Finally, the book concludes with Chapters 20 and 21 covering air quality management. While the organization into two parts is reasonable, it leads to some peculiarities. Chapter 3, ‘‘The Earth’s Climates’’, and Chapter 19, ‘‘Climate Modeling’’, should have appeared together. They are related, yet they are placed at opposite ends of the book. Chapters 4 and 5 (‘‘Biogeochemical Cycles and Residence Times’’ and ‘‘Sources of Air Pollution’’, respectively) have different names, but their contents are mostly redundant. These chapters should have been combined into one chapter. Since one of the editors, A. Jackson, authored Chapter 5, it is not understandable how this redundancy could have been accidental. After reading Chapter 4, Chapter 5 is an annoying de´ja` vu for the reader. ‘‘Synoptic-Scale Meteorology’’, Chapter 11, is a wonderful overview of the subject. Its current location between chapters on pollution dispersion and deposition processes is baffling. The chapter should have been placed toward the beginning of the book just after Chapter 2, ‘‘Atmospheric Energy and the Structure of the Atmosphere’’. Regardless of placement, this chapter is an excellent resource that meteorologists should mark for future reference. Chapters 13 and 15, ‘‘Global Air Pollution Problems’’ and ‘‘Urban-Scale Air Pollution’’, respectively, provide a brief, yet unwelcome, social commentary in their conclusion sections. The latter chapter concludes with the following excerpt: Unfortunately, most attempts at control will be perceived as a restriction of individual freedom, and they are frequently met with outspoken opposition. Obviously, a change in attitude is called for. In a book and a chapter regarded as science, there is no room for social commentary. Both authors and editors should have ensured that personal views on public policy were identified as such and properly segregated from the science. These otherwise excellent chapters conclude with unwanted commentary. ‘‘Climate Modeling’’, Chapter 19, is the highlight of this book. The author describes a complex subject rather completely without the use of a multitude of equations, which is often a crutch for those without sufficient subject knowledge and or language skills. This chapter is so well written, it could be used for teaching advanced undergraduates. Throughout the book, many units are undefined, while some graph axes are not labeled. For those specialists within the field of expertise, these units and figure labels are obvious and do not need annotation. Other readers outside the field of expertise will not understand much of the presented information, or they must perform additional research to comprehend the meaning of these undefined units and or unlabeled figures. A little extra work by the authors could have saved the readers much confusion.
Book review
145
Chapter 9 has a list of nomenclature and corresponding definitions. Every chapter should have had a similar description of symbols. At US$300 (o239), this book is disturbingly expensive. The vast majority of students, professors and researchers will find the price prohibitive. As such, libraries may be the only place the book will ever reside, which is unfortunate. Handbook of Atmospheric Science is a comprehensive and excellent reference for atmospheric chemistry and pollution.
Richard L. Slonaker Ratheon ITSS Corporation, 1616 McCormick Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Tel.: +1-3018834080; fax: +1-3018834141
Book review Handbook of Atmospheric Science Edited by C.N. Hewitt and A. Jackson. Blackwell Publishing, 2003
Summary Handbook of Atmospheric Science is an outstanding reference text for atmospheric chemistry and pollution. There are also excellent chapters on overall synoptic meteorology and climate modeling. Meteorology topics not covered include tropical and extra-tropical cyclone theory, numerical weather prediction, forecasting, severe local storms, atmospheric electrification, cloud microphysics, satellite remote sensing, weather radars, etc. ‘‘Handbook of Atmospheric Chemistry and Pollution’’ would be a more accurate title as these subjects are comprehensively discussed. Most of the chapters cover a large quantity of material and are rather dense, making them good for reference but not well suited to teach undergraduate students. Some of the chapters could be used for graduate level instruction. The book will prove prohibitively expensive (US$300 or o239) for most individuals rendering its most probable use as a library reference.
Discussion Handbook of Atmospheric Science is divided into two parts. The first lays a foundation of chemistry, energy transfer, synoptic meteorology and air pollution. The second part delves deeper into pollution, climate change and the modeling and measurements thereof. Individual chapters themselves are well organized and read smoothly, but the overall book is fragmented and somewhat disjointed. Many topics are redundantly discussed in different chapters. This is quite normal for books of this nature since a different author is responsible for each chapter. Professors will want to carefully choose any chapters from which to teach. The book is suited to those already having a background in atmospheric science and is not recommended for undergraduate education. Part 1 commences with two chapters examining the chemical evolution of the atmosphere and its current energy transfer and structure. Chapter 3 gives a nice overview of Earth’s current climate regimes. Chapters 4 and 5 present an overview of the cycling of various natural and anthropogenic compounds through the atmosphere. Atmospheric chemistry is comprehensively discussed in Chapters 6, 7 and 8. Chapter 9 covers aerosol composition and corresponding climate forcing. The dispersion of atmospheric pollutants is discussed in Chapter 10. Chapter 11 presents a very nice overview of synoptic meteorology. Part 1 concludes with an examination of atmospheric deposition processes in Chapter 12.
doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2004.03.001
144
Book review
Part 2 begins with Chapters 13 – 15, which cover global, regional and city air pollution problems, respectively. Measurement techniques for atmospheric pollutants are discussed in Chapter 16. Chapter 17 reviews the concept and practice of atmospheric emissions inventory. Pollution dispersion modeling is covered by Chapter 18. An excellent summary of climate modeling is presented in Chapter 19. Finally, the book concludes with Chapters 20 and 21 covering air quality management. While the organization into two parts is reasonable, it leads to some peculiarities. Chapter 3, ‘‘The Earth’s Climates’’, and Chapter 19, ‘‘Climate Modeling’’, should have appeared together. They are related, yet they are placed at opposite ends of the book. Chapters 4 and 5 (‘‘Biogeochemical Cycles and Residence Times’’ and ‘‘Sources of Air Pollution’’, respectively) have different names, but their contents are mostly redundant. These chapters should have been combined into one chapter. Since one of the editors, A. Jackson, authored Chapter 5, it is not understandable how this redundancy could have been accidental. After reading Chapter 4, Chapter 5 is an annoying de´ja` vu for the reader. ‘‘Synoptic-Scale Meteorology’’, Chapter 11, is a wonderful overview of the subject. Its current location between chapters on pollution dispersion and deposition processes is baffling. The chapter should have been placed toward the beginning of the book just after Chapter 2, ‘‘Atmospheric Energy and the Structure of the Atmosphere’’. Regardless of placement, this chapter is an excellent resource that meteorologists should mark for future reference. Chapters 13 and 15, ‘‘Global Air Pollution Problems’’ and ‘‘Urban-Scale Air Pollution’’, respectively, provide a brief, yet unwelcome, social commentary in their conclusion sections. The latter chapter concludes with the following excerpt: Unfortunately, most attempts at control will be perceived as a restriction of individual freedom, and they are frequently met with outspoken opposition. Obviously, a change in attitude is called for. In a book and a chapter regarded as science, there is no room for social commentary. Both authors and editors should have ensured that personal views on public policy were identified as such and properly segregated from the science. These otherwise excellent chapters conclude with unwanted commentary. ‘‘Climate Modeling’’, Chapter 19, is the highlight of this book. The author describes a complex subject rather completely without the use of a multitude of equations, which is often a crutch for those without sufficient subject knowledge and or language skills. This chapter is so well written, it could be used for teaching advanced undergraduates. Throughout the book, many units are undefined, while some graph axes are not labeled. For those specialists within the field of expertise, these units and figure labels are obvious and do not need annotation. Other readers outside the field of expertise will not understand much of the presented information, or they must perform additional research to comprehend the meaning of these undefined units and or unlabeled figures. A little extra work by the authors could have saved the readers much confusion.
Book review
145
Chapter 9 has a list of nomenclature and corresponding definitions. Every chapter should have had a similar description of symbols. At US$300 (o239), this book is disturbingly expensive. The vast majority of students, professors and researchers will find the price prohibitive. As such, libraries may be the only place the book will ever reside, which is unfortunate. Handbook of Atmospheric Science is a comprehensive and excellent reference for atmospheric chemistry and pollution.
Richard L. Slonaker Ratheon ITSS Corporation, 1616 McCormick Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, USA E-mail address: [email protected] Tel.: +1-3018834080; fax: +1-3018834141