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Scientists Continue Study OfThermal Pollution ProblemScientists who worry about possible changes in the temperature of the earth, caused by men's pollution, echo poet RobertFrost's warning:Some say the world will end in fire,Some say in ice,From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire,But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice,Man is making significant changes in the earth's atmosphere, some of which warm the planet and some of which cool it. Scientists are concerned because they don't yet have adequate knowledge about the long-range effects of changes in the earth's heat balance,Thermal pollution is one of the most important unsolved pollution problems, said Dr, Richard Peskin, professor ofmechanical and aerospace engineering at the Rutgers College of Engineering. His field of specialization is atmospheric fluid dynamics, the study of the general motions of the earth's atmosphere,Basically the atmosphere is a thermally-steady system, a heat engine which absorbs energy from the sun and then re-radiates it out, Dr, Peskin explained. We know that large scale man-made changes are altering this heat cycle, but we don't yet know enough about how it operates to predict the consequences, which could be very grave.Dr. Peskin suggested that one of the major ways in which man could be throwing the earth's heat balance out of kilter is by creating more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,Ail burning gives off carbon dioxide and water, In the upper atmosphere carbon dioxide creates a greenhouse effect, trapping the earth's heat and thus raising its temperature.Only a few degrees rise in the earth's temperature, Dr, Peskin pointed out, could melt theiee-caps and put coastal areas like New Jersey almost completely under water.The water that combustion gives off, though not usually thought of as a pollution problem, provides another possible problem to the earth's natural atmosphere by creating additional cumulus clouds, the white fluffy ones.Many of man’s activities, such as electric generating plants, create a succession of additional clouds, Dr, Peskin notes. One admittedly extreme estimate states that a five per cent increase in the cloud cover of the earth could lower its temperature enough to create a new ice-age,Dust from industrial pollution, if It finds its way into the upper atmosphere, can also block the sun’s rays and cool the earth.Dr. Peskin said the heat transfer mechanisms of the earth depend heavily on the tropical storms which develop in the warm oceans of the world, and which carry heat toward northern latitudes.Many people are currently worried about the local effects of oil slicks on shore areas and wildlife, I am even more concerned about the possible effects of mid-tropical-ocean oil slicks on the heat transfer system, Dr, Peskin said,He explained that the heat transfer system is fragile, and oil slicks or cloud seeding could change the pattern of tropical storms and have major effectsMuch environmental data will be collected by two Earth Resources Satellites, which are scheduled to be put into orbit in 1972 and 1973 by NASA. Prof, Havens and a team of other Rutgers experts have been asked to help evaluate the data the satellites observe,W© have to recognize that climate is delicately balanced, Prof, Havens summed up, Man may be in the process of making irreversable changes, and doing it before he knows enough to head off world-widedisaster.on the earth's climate.Although there are real dangers of tipping the earth's heat balance, Dr. Peskin sees some avenues by which humans can lessen these dangers.First, he hopes that man will temper his piggish demands for more and more energy and thus limit the strain on the environment. Second, he hopes man will stop proliferating, and third, he hopes that technology will become more efficient, so that its side effects on the atmosphere are less damaging,Dr, Peskin also would like to see vastly more research money expended on study of the earth's atmosphere, so that more reliable data becomes available.Dr. Peskin and Prof, A, Vaughn Havens, chairman of the meteorology department at the Rutgers College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, are currently worJdng on a doctoral program in the field of geophysical fluid dynamics to train more scientists who can do the necessary research into this possibly crucial field.Prof, Havens suggested that one immediateusefulstepwould be to have all weather stations, which currently measure temperature and humidity, also begin to monitor the composition of the atmosphere.eVhCart:e1tltitlifcinP€P*haquCcmithlt;inftoIfsu:doicisEINe\allSinciMai
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Franklin News Record
Franklin, New Jersey, US
Thu, Apr 23, 1970
Page 10
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