Impacts of world development on selected characteristics of the atmosphere: An integrative approach: Volume 1, Main report

This study presents estimates and analyses on atmospheric emissions associated with regional and global development and on environmental impacts caused by such emissions. The developmental activities covered are energy production and combustion, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. Some attention is directed as well to emissions resulting from natural processes, as distinct from those governed by human activity. The impacts studied on a regional basis are photochemical smog, precipitation acidity, and atmospheric corrosion. The global issue addressed is stratospheric ozone modification. The regions included are northeastern US, Europe, and the Gangetic Plain of India. In addition, some consideration is given to the Amazonian Basin of Brazil. While the major part of the effort is directed to historical trends, illustrative 50- and 100-year projections are also presented. These point up the prospects of severe degradation in atmospheric quality resulting from emissions from a number of the developmental activities studied. These findings are presented more in qualitative than quantitative terms. Improvements in scientific understanding, data, and policy approaches are essential elements in conducting more refined research on these questions. 137 refs., 26 figs., 18 tabs.