After Nuclear War: Perturbations in Atmospheric Chemistry

Long-term atmospheric effects of nuclear war could be more devastating than nuclear explosions themselves. Assuming the detonation of 25,000 warheads, 330-825 teragrams of dust and debris would be lofted into the troposphere and stratosphere. Smoke from the thousands of fires started by nuclear fire...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioscience 1985-10, Vol.35 (9), p.557-562
Main Authors: Stephens, Sherry L., Birks, John W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asbestos
Blasts
Fireballs
Gases
Nitrogen oxides
Nuclear warfare
Ozone
Smoke
Stratosphere
Troposphere
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Summary:Long-term atmospheric effects of nuclear war could be more devastating than nuclear explosions themselves. Assuming the detonation of 25,000 warheads, 330-825 teragrams of dust and debris would be lofted into the troposphere and stratosphere. Smoke from the thousands of fires started by nuclear fireballs would absorb sunlight and reduce atmospheric temperatures more than lofted particles would. Gaseous and particulate emissions from blasts and fires would upset the stability of the atmosphere. In the stratosphere, the protective ozone layer could be severely damaged by nitrogen oxides.
ISSN:0006-3568
1525-3244
DOI:10.2307/1309963