Abstract
Airborne mineral dusts suspended in earth's atmosphere can have dramatic effects on climate, regional photochemistry and human life. In this chapter, both the direct and indirect climate forcing effects of dust will be discussed. Physical models for treating light scattering and absorption by dusts will be considered. Since dust absorbs light in the ultraviolet and blue portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, its presence can reduce actinic flux and alter atmospheric photochemistry. This phenomenon will be considered from the perspective of common atmospheric pollutant gases. Finally, the chemistry occurring at / on dust surfaces will be considered and their significance discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Dust |
| Subtitle of host publication | Sources, Environmental Concerns and Control |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 197-222 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781619425477 |
| State | Published - 2012 |