ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. VOLUME THREE.

Abstract

Weapons effects capable of covering large areas are divided into four major categories, based on physical damage mechanisms. Radiological: damage to biological organisms caused by ionizing radiation. Thermal: damage caused by heat or fire. Meteorological: damage caused by changes in weather or climate, triggered by catalytic action of nuclear debris in the atmosphere. Secondary: damage caused by a 'domino' effect due to selective removal or modification of a constraint normally contributing to environmental homeostasis. Within this category we have included epidemiological problems affecting humans, livestock and crops; outbreaks of pests (especially insects); changes in ground surface temperature and humidity characteristics (microclimate); secondary fires; local ecological changes; erosion and floods; and 'the balance of nature.'

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0632281

Entities

People

  • Robert U. Ayres

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Biological Phenomena
  • Climate
  • Coverings
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Homeostasis
  • Humidity
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Livestock
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Radiation
  • Surface Temperature
  • Weapons
  • Weapons Effects
  • Weather

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Infectious Disease/Epidemiology
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.