ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in atmospheric chemistry. Since the oceans are in intimate contact with the atmosphere and may act as a source or sink for atmospheric gases, it is appropriate to briefly examine this area of science. The early interest in the atmosphere was related to the formation of photochemical smog in various cities. Smog is formed by complicated interactions of unburned hydrocarbons from automobiles and power plants and nitrogen oxides. The sun provides the necessary energy to furnish reactive species. More recently, interest in atmospheric chemistry has focused on the formation of acid rain (HNO3 and H2SO4) from the oxidation of NOX and SO2 gases that result from the oxidation of fossil fuels. The decrease in the ozone layer resulting from the use of chlorofluorohydrocarbons (CFCs) has also prompted new interest in atmospheric chemistry. Interest has also been focused on the increasing concentration of gases that can absorb infrared (IR) energy. These gases (CO2, CH4, etc.) contribute to the warming of the atmosphere or the so-called greenhouse effect.
