Gaseous Pollutants

Civilization's negative impact on the environment has vastly accelerated since the onset of the industrial revolution. Serious environmental contamination now threatens many ecosystems and perhaps ultimately the human race. While some of the most visible urban pollution may have abated, the larger problems of regional and global pollution, particularly by an ever-increasing number of trace contaminants, remain far from solved. While the link has been clearly established between long-range transport of gaseous pollutants and environmental issues such as acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and Arctic haze, the scientist's understanding of the fate of these pollutants in the atmosphere has been constrained by the lack of suitable analytical methods, the complexities of pollution sources, and the volume of potential contaminants involved. This volume offers some of the research tools needed to begin untangling these riddles: appropriate measurement technology, sophisticated analytical techniques, and a better understanding of physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere. Chapters by leading environmental scientists from the world over discuss: . Standard and new methods of sampling and analyzing gaseous contaminants in the atmosphere. The uses of these analytical methods in deciphering material fluxes. The sources, occurrences, and characterization of volatile organic compounds in both indoor and outdoor environments. Gaseous Pollutants will be of great interest to scientists and engineers interested in monitoring air quality; atmospheric chemists studying the behavior and fate of trace contaminants in the air; and anyone concerned with air pollution and pollution control strategies. Inaddition to presenting a valuable profile of current research results, this book outlines the challenges that lie ahead, pointing students and environmental professionals alike toward important research opportunities in this dynamic field.