Anthropogenic action on the atmosphere (aerosol contamination)

This paper discusses the ecological aspects of aerosol discharges into the earth's atmosphere as a consequence of human industrial activity. The main sources of aerosol contamination of the atmosphere are considered. The role of the atmospheric aerosol in physicochemical processes in the atmosphere is analyzed. A basis is provided for the necessity of organizing efficient. optical monitoring of aerosol contamination of the atmosphere of industria l regions. (C) 1999 The Optical Society of America. [S1070-9762(99)00504-7] .