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Atmosphere, Volume 16, Issue 2 (February 2025) – 74 articles

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16 pages, 5614 KiB  
Article
Physicochemical Characteristics of Individual Indoor Airborne Particles in the High Lung Cancer Rate Area in Xuanwei, China
by Ying Hu, Longyi Shao, Kelly BéruBé, Ningping Wang, Cong Hou, Jingsen Fan and Tim Jones
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020187 - 6 Feb 2025
Abstract
Emissions from domestic coal burning are generally recognized as the cause of the lung cancer epidemic in Xuanwei City, Yunnan Province, China. To examine the physicochemical characteristics of airborne particles emitted from burning this locally sourced coal, PM2.5 samples were [...] Read more.
Emissions from domestic coal burning are generally recognized as the cause of the lung cancer epidemic in Xuanwei City, Yunnan Province, China. To examine the physicochemical characteristics of airborne particles emitted from burning this locally sourced coal, PM2.5 samples were collected from Hutou village which has high levels of lung cancer, and Xize village located approximately 30 km from Hutou without lung cancer cases. Transmission Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (TEM-EDX) analysis was employed to study the physiochemical features and chemistry of individual particles. Sulfur and silica are the most abundant elements found in the airborne particles in both of the two villages. Fewer elements in aerosol particles were found in Xize village compared with Hutou village. Based on the morphologies and chemical compositions, the particles in Xuanwei can be classified into five types including composite particles (38.6%); organic, soot, tar balls, and biologicals (28.3%); sulfate (14.1%); fly ash (9.8%); and minerals (9.2%). The particles in Hutou village are abundant in the size range of 0.4–0.8 μm while that in Xize is 0.7–0.8 μm. Composite particles are the most common types in all the size ranges. The percentage of composite particles shows two peaks in the small size range (0.1–0.2 μm) and the large size ranges (2–2.3 μm) in Hutou village while that shows an even distribution in all size ranges in Xize village. Core-shell particles are typical types of composite particles, with the solid ‘core’ consisting of materials such as fly ash or mineral grains, and the shell or surface layer being an adhering soluble compound such as sulfates or organics. The heterogeneous reactions of particles with acidic liquid layers produce the core-shell structures. Typically, the equivalent diameter of the core-shell particles is in the range of 0.5–2.5 μm, averaging 1.6 μm, and the core-shell ratio is usually between 0.4 and 0.8, with an average of 0.6. Regardless of the sizes of the particles, the relatively high core-shell ratios imply a less aging state, which suggests that the core-shell particles were relatively recently formed. Once the coal-burning particles are inhaled into the human deep lung, they can cause damage to lung cells and harm to human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sources Influencing Air Pollution and Their Control)
18 pages, 2097 KiB  
Article
Large Eddy Simulations of Methane Emission from Landfill and Mathematical Modeling in the Far Field
by Andrea Boghi, Neil R. P. Harris and Kennedy Waombo
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020186 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 171
Abstract
Greenhouse gases such as methane will be generated from the landfilling of municipal waste. The emissions of noxious gas from landfills and other waste disposal areas can present a significant hazard to the environment and to the health of the population if not [...] Read more.
Greenhouse gases such as methane will be generated from the landfilling of municipal waste. The emissions of noxious gas from landfills and other waste disposal areas can present a significant hazard to the environment and to the health of the population if not properly controlled. In order to have the harmful gas controlled and mitigate the environmental pollution, the extent to which the gas will be transported into the air at some time in the future must be estimated. The emission estimates (inventories) are combined with atmospheric observations and modeling techniques. In this work, large eddy simulation (LES) is used to determine the dispersion of methane in the atmosphere at large distances from the landfill. The methane is modeled as an active scalar, which diffuses from the landfill with a given mass flux. The Boussinesq approximation has been used to embed the effect of the buoyancy in the momentum equation. A logarithmic velocity profile has been used to model the wind velocity. The results in the far field show that the mean concentration and concentration rms of methane, appropriately scaled, are self-similar functions of a certain combination of the coordinates. Furthermore, the LES results are used to fit the parameters of the Gaussian plume model. This result can be used to optimize the placement of the atmospheric receptors and reduce their numbers in the far-field region, to improve emissions estimates and reduce the costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Pollution Control)
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25 pages, 5238 KiB  
Article
A Factorial-Clustered Copula Covariate Analysis for Interaction Effects of Multiple Climate Factors on Vegetation Cover in China
by Feng Wang, Yiting Wei, Ruixin Duan, Jiannan Zhang and Xiong Zhou
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020185 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 129
Abstract
Vegetation is a vital component of ecosystems and an indicator of global environmental change. It is significantly influenced by climate factors. Previous studies have often overlooked the nonlinear relationships, spatiotemporal variability, and interaction effects of climate factors on vegetation, focusing instead on simplistic [...] Read more.
Vegetation is a vital component of ecosystems and an indicator of global environmental change. It is significantly influenced by climate factors. Previous studies have often overlooked the nonlinear relationships, spatiotemporal variability, and interaction effects of climate factors on vegetation, focusing instead on simplistic trends or regional classifications based on vegetation type, climate zone, or ecosystem. In this study, a factorial-clustered copula covariate analysis model was developed to investigate the effects of climate factors on vegetation cover (NDVI) in China from 2000 to 2023. The results showed that temperature had the strongest correlation with NDVI (0.66), followed by precipitation and solar radiation (both 0.46), and soil moisture (0.14). The NDVI exhibited significant spatial variability, with low values (<0.1) in 17.6% and high values (>0.8) in 12.7% of the areas. Regional variations were observed: precipitation-dominated NDVI changes in arid regions (Cluster 1, 43%), solar radiation in tropical areas (Clusters 4 and 5, >79%), and soil moisture in humid zones (Cluster 2, 29%). Interaction effects, such as Pre:Temp and Pre:Temp:SM, further influenced NDVI dynamics. Joint probability analysis revealed diverse dependency patterns across clusters, highlighting the complex interplay between climatic and non-climatic factors. These findings emphasize the need for tailored management strategies to address region-specific vegetation dynamics under changing climatic conditions. Full article
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16 pages, 4161 KiB  
Article
A New System for Evaluating the Ability to Release Negative Ions—Taking Urban Forests as an Example
by Shaoning Li, Tingting Li, Di Yu, Na Zhao, Xiaotian Xu, Bin Li and Shaowei Lu
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020184 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 98
Abstract
Negative air ions (NAIs) have the effect of improving environmental quality and human health. This study for the first time constructed an evaluation system for forest release of NAIs employing five capacity indicators: release contribution rate (L), release coefficient (n), release rate (s), [...] Read more.
Negative air ions (NAIs) have the effect of improving environmental quality and human health. This study for the first time constructed an evaluation system for forest release of NAIs employing five capacity indicators: release contribution rate (L), release coefficient (n), release rate (s), instantaneous standing stock (v), and total release amount (Z). These were applied to evaluate the forest’s ability to release NAIs in the suburban urban green space of Beijing—Xishan National Forest Park. The results showed that: (1) during the growing season of the forest, the value ranges of these indicators were as follows: L: 6.04~9.71%, n: 6.63~11.05%, s: 4.53 × 103~7.49 × 103/cm2/min, v: 4.48 × 104~7.34 × 104/cm2, Z: 2.70 × 105~4.40 × 105/cm2, with the spring and autumn “noon and evening” and summer “morning and evening” forests having the strongest effect and the highest release capacity of NAIs; (2) the daily changes of L, n, s, v, and Z are generally in a “bimodal” pattern, and the overall trend of “rise and fall, rise and fall” among various indicators is consistent, showing a “linkage”; (3) weather characteristics affect release capacity in the order of sunny > rainy > cloudy, with the strongest NAI release ability from forests at 6:00 on cloudy days (0.53%, 1.7%, 877.19/cm2/min, 3.56 × 104/cm2, 9.67 × 104/cm2) and at 18:00 on rainy days (4.58%, 4.83%, 3.16 × 103/cm2/min, 3.16 × 104/cm2, 1.90 × 105/cm2), with poorer NAI release ability in the afternoon on cloudy and rainy days; (4) forests can produce over 100 million levels of NAIs throughout the year, with an average daily production of over one million levels of NAIs. From 2019 to 2021, NAI production showed an increasing trend year by year, and the increase rate increased year by year to 19.6% and 56.5%.; and (5) the five indicators are significantly positively correlated with solar radiation and temperature in the range of 0–200 w/m2 and 5–20 °C, respectively. This study provides a new method to reveal the ability of forests to release NAIs, providing strong evidence for creating a livable ecological environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
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31 pages, 3168 KiB  
Article
Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons
by Rosa Maria Ceron Breton, Julia Griselda Ceron Breton, Maria de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes, Alberto Antonio Espinosa Guzman, Rocio Garcia Martinez, Claudia Alejandra Aguilar Ucan, Carlos Montalvo Romero, Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino, Simon Eduardo Carranco Lozada, Martha Patricia Uc Chi and Stephanie Martinez Morales
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020183 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 144
Abstract
Levels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado [...] Read more.
Levels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado had the following relative abundance: p-Xylene (20.09 µg m−3) > Toluene (19.50 µg m−3) > Ethylbenzene (19.34 µg m−3) > Benzene (17.39 µg m−3). Their concentrations were consistent with global reports, showing diurnal and seasonal variability. Levels were higher during the dry season due to elevated temperatures, low wind speeds, and lack of precipitation, which reduced pollutant dispersion. BTEX concentrations in Santa Catarina (industrial site) and Obispado (urban site) were influenced by local activities like industrial processes, area sources, and vehicular traffic. Wind rose analysis confirmed the influence of local sources, with higher BTEX levels when winds came from the east. This was linked to pollutant transport within MAM and thermal inversions trapping pollutants during the dry season. Benzene/Toluene (B/T) and p-Xylene/Ethylbenzene (X/E) ratios showed that the sampling sites were influenced by vehicular sources and local fresh emissions. Benzene inhalation has an unacceptable lifetime cancer risk, urging MAM authorities to implement stricter regulations to protect public health. While non-cancer risks were within acceptable limits, controlling Benzene and p-Xylene emissions remains critical to improving air quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure Assessment of Air Pollution (2nd Edition))
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5 pages, 159 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for the Special Issue on Climate Change and Climate Variability, and Their Impact on Extreme Events (1st Edition)
by Sridhara Nayak and Netrananda Sahu
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020182 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 263
Abstract
In recent decades, the effects of climate change and climate variability have attracted significant global attention due to their growing impact on extreme weather and climate events [...] Full article
20 pages, 1770 KiB  
Article
Volatile Organic Compounds in Early Childhood Education Facilities: Simultaneous Indoor and Outdoor Measurements in the Haifa Bay Area
by Ran Darzi, Merav Bareket, Yuval and Yael Dubowski
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020181 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 141
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of great importance, as people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, leading to significant exposure to air pollutants. The IAQ in early childhood education (ECE) facilities is of particular interest since young children are more vulnerable [...] Read more.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is of great importance, as people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, leading to significant exposure to air pollutants. The IAQ in early childhood education (ECE) facilities is of particular interest since young children are more vulnerable and poor air quality may have possible long-lasting impacts on them. In the present study, simultaneous indoor and outdoor VOC measurements were carried out in three ECE facilities in the Haifa Bay area, Israel. Three sampling campaigns were utilized, each lasted for a minimum of one week, encompassing four consecutive working days and at least one weekend. During working days, sampling was performed during daytime activity hours and at nighttime (off hours). Twenty-three VOCs were identified, quantified, and classified into six chemical groups—aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic alkanes, terpenes, alcohols, carbonyls, and “others”. The total outdoor VOC concentration was 23 μg m−3 during the daytime and 22 μg m−3 at night, with carbonyls and aromatic hydrocarbons accounting for ~80% of it. Despite the heterogeneity of the study area, outdoor concentrations depicted a smaller spatial and temporal variability than was observed indoors. In the ECE facilities, the total VOC reached 134 and 204 μg m−3 during the daytime and nighttime, respectively, and were strongly impacted by the air exchange rate. Carbonyls, alcohols, and terpenes were more prevalent indoors, accounting for 77.5–81.1% of the total. Their high indoor/outdoor ratios, especially for formaldehyde and limonene, suggest a significant contribution from indoor emission sources. Exposure calculations were compared to reference values for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. While the lifetime average daily dose (LADD) did not exceed the available reference values, the upper-limit estimates of continuous lifetime exposure to measured indoor levels indicate that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde surpassed their respective limits by factors of 10 and 3, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
28 pages, 11667 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Ionospheric Response on Mother’s Day 2024 Geomagnetic Superstorm over the European Sector
by Krishnendu Sekhar Paul, Haris Haralambous, Mefe Moses, Christina Oikonomou, Stelios M. Potirakis, Nicolas Bergeot and Jean-Marie Chevalier
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020180 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 252
Abstract
The present study examines the negative ionospheric response over Europe during two geomagnetic storms on 10–13 May 2024, known as the Mother’s Day geomagnetic superstorm. The first storm, with a peak SYM-H value of −436 nT, occurred in the interval 10–11 May, while [...] Read more.
The present study examines the negative ionospheric response over Europe during two geomagnetic storms on 10–13 May 2024, known as the Mother’s Day geomagnetic superstorm. The first storm, with a peak SYM-H value of −436 nT, occurred in the interval 10–11 May, while the second, less intense storm (SYM-H~−103 nT), followed in the interval 12–13 May. Using data from four European locations, temporal and spatial variations in ionospheric parameters (TEC, foF2, and hmF2) were analyzed to investigate the morphology of the strong negative response. Sharp electron density (Ne) depletion is associated with the equatorward displacement of the Midlatitude Ionospheric Trough (MIT), confirmed by Swarm satellite data. A key finding was the absence of foF2 and hmF2 values over all ionosonde stations during the recovery phase of the storms, likely due to the coupling between the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests and the auroral ionosphere influenced by the intense uplift of the F layer. Relevant distinct features such as Large-scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbance (LSTID) signatures and Spread F were also noted, particularly during the initial and main phase of the first storm over high midlatitude regions. Regional effects varied, with high European midlatitudes exhibiting different features compared to lower European latitude areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Upper Atmosphere (2nd Edition))
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25 pages, 3781 KiB  
Review
Impact of Climate Change on Informal Street Vendors: A Systematic Review to Help South Africa and Other Nations (2015–2024)
by Maasago Mercy Sepadi
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020179 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to informal street vendors, particularly in urban settings where they operate in vulnerable environments. These challenges include economic instability, health risks, and sociopolitical exclusion, which are further exacerbated by extreme weather events and inadequate policy support. This review [...] Read more.
Climate change poses significant challenges to informal street vendors, particularly in urban settings where they operate in vulnerable environments. These challenges include economic instability, health risks, and sociopolitical exclusion, which are further exacerbated by extreme weather events and inadequate policy support. This review focuses on understanding these impacts by synthesizing lessons and exploring potential solutions from South Africa and other regions that could be implemented by governments and street vendors. A systematic review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, to synthesize findings from 48 studies published between 2015 and 2024. This review employed qualitative and quantitative analysis using thematic coding in ATLAS.ti and Microsoft Excel version 2024. Comparative analyses across regions and time periods were conducted to identify differences in impacts and adaptation strategies. Among the 48 studies, 52% were conducted in Africa and 50% in Asia, making these the most frequently represented regions in research on climate change and informal street vendors. Most of the publications were between 2021 and 2024 (52%). This review further highlights that climate change has led to significant economic losses, reduced working hours, and increased operational costs for informal vendors. Health impacts, such as respiratory illnesses and heat stress, are prevalent, particularly among vendors exposed to air pollution and extreme temperatures. Gender-specific vulnerabilities were noted, with women facing compounded challenges due to caregiving responsibilities and inadequate access to sanitation facilities. While Asian vendors have adopted technological solutions like mobile payment systems and cooling devices, these may not be currently feasible for South African vendors. Instead, tailored interventions that consider the local context and available resources are necessary to effectively support South African street vendors. Key recommendations include integrating vendors into urban resilience planning such as encouraging the use of cleaner and more sustainable transportation, improving access to healthcare, and providing financial support. Additionally, governments and communities should pilot the solutions identified in this review and publish their findings to inform future policies and practices. Full article
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23 pages, 4023 KiB  
Article
Atmospheric Estrogenic Semi-Volatile Compounds and PAH in PM2.5 in Mexico City
by José Gustavo Ronderos-Lara, Fernando Millán-Vázquez, Mario Alfonso Murillo-Tovar, Hugo Albeiro Saldarriaga-Noreña, Brenda Liz Valle-Hernández, Khirbet López-Velázquez and Violeta Mugica-Álvarez
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020178 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
The quantification of semi-volatile organic compounds with potential endocrine-disrupting activity contained in fine atmospheric particles (PM2.5) is essential to understand their temporal behavior, identify their sources, and evaluate the health risks resulting from population exposure to said compounds. Since information and [...] Read more.
The quantification of semi-volatile organic compounds with potential endocrine-disrupting activity contained in fine atmospheric particles (PM2.5) is essential to understand their temporal behavior, identify their sources, and evaluate the health risks resulting from population exposure to said compounds. Since information and research outcomes regarding their presence in the atmosphere in developing countries are scarce, the main objective of this work was the development of a methodology devoted to extracting, characterizing, and quantifying, for the first time in Mexico, the concentration levels of three important groups of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) bonded to PM2.5 and collected during a year, namely: alkylphenols (4-n-nonylphenol (4NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4tOP)); bisphenols (bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF)); natural and synthetic hormones (17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2)). Further, priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that also disrupt endocrine activity were analyzed. All compounds were determined by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, and the concentration levels were analyzed for different climatic seasons. Cold-dry (CD) season displayed higher levels of 4NP, bisphenols, and hormones (between 0.71 (4NP) and 1860 pg m−3 (BPA)), as well as PAH concentrations (9.12 ng m−3). Regarding health effects, concentrations of alkylphenols, bisphenols, and hormones quantified had a value of estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQE2) between 0.07 and 0.17 ng m−3. PAH concentrations did not have carcinogenic and mutagenic risk with BaP(PEQ) < 1 ng m−3. These results can be used by policymakers in the design of strategies for air pollution control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
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20 pages, 2171 KiB  
Article
Impact Factors and Structural Pathways of Carbon Emissions in the Power Sector of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region Using MRIO Analysis
by Hao Yue, Bingqing Wu, Jiali Duan, Yunli Yue, Haowen Guan and Jian Zhang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020177 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
The accelerated growth of the global economy has given rise to a multitude of environmental concerns that demand immediate attention. At this juncture, the total global carbon emissions are exhibiting a gradual increase. China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan represent the [...] Read more.
The accelerated growth of the global economy has given rise to a multitude of environmental concerns that demand immediate attention. At this juncture, the total global carbon emissions are exhibiting a gradual increase. China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan represent the top five countries in terms of global carbon emissions, collectively accounting for approximately 60% of the global total. Of these, China’s carbon emissions are the highest in the world, representing over 30% of the global total. As urbanization accelerates, the carbon emissions from urban agglomerations constitute a substantial share of the nation’s total emissions, rendering the carbon emissions of urban clusters a critical issue. In the context of China’s urban agglomerations, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, due to factors such as industrial structure, accounts for a relatively high proportion of carbon emissions, approximately 11% of the national total. The future trajectory of carbon emissions in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region will significantly impact the high-quality development of the entire urban cluster. Consequently, research on carbon emissions in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is of vital importance. This paper takes the carbon emissions of the power industry in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region as the research subject, analyzes its carbon emissions status, and builds a multi-regional input–output model for the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region based on the input–output tables and carbon emissions data of each province. This study explores the key influencing factors of carbon emissions from the power industry in this region from 2012 to 2017 and analyzes the carbon emissions transfer and structural evolution from the perspective of the region and the industry to clarify the carbon reduction responsibilities of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and provide references and recommendations for the formulation of regional collaborative emission reduction policies. The results show that the direct carbon emissions from the power industry in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region account for a higher proportion compared to the indirect carbon emissions it generates by driving other industries. Industries with relatively high indirect carbon emissions in the key path include coal mining and selection, equipment manufacturing, transportation, services, etc. The capital input process from Tianjin and Hebei to Beijing is accompanied by a relatively high carbon transfer. Promoting the widespread adoption of carbon emission reduction technologies will have an effective suppressive effect on carbon emissions in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, especially in Hebei; Beijing and Tianjin should pay attention to the stimulating effect of increased final demand on carbon emissions; the transfer of carbon emissions between regions and industries shows a downward trend as the power sector undergoes transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Emission and Carbon Neutrality in China)
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13 pages, 3614 KiB  
Article
Primary Mid-Succession Carbon Fluxes in a Spontaneously Recovering Post-Mining Ecosystem
by Aysan Badraghi, Leonardo Montagnani, Jiří Kučera and Jan Frouz
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020176 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 233
Abstract
Limited research exists on the carbon sequestration potential of spontaneously developing post-coal-mining sites in the mid-stage of primary succession. Therefore, in 2023, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was quantified in Czechia using an eddy covariance (EC) tower to assess carbon fluxes in a spontaneously [...] Read more.
Limited research exists on the carbon sequestration potential of spontaneously developing post-coal-mining sites in the mid-stage of primary succession. Therefore, in 2023, net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was quantified in Czechia using an eddy covariance (EC) tower to assess carbon fluxes in a spontaneously developing ecosystem dominated by pioneer tree species such as willow, along with aspen and birch, growing on a wave-like microtopography. The ecosystem functioned as a strong carbon sink, with an annual NEE of −415 g C m−2 yr−1, ~39 years after coal mining. This NEE was derived by gross ecosystem exchange (GEE) of −1423 g C m−2 yr−1 and ecosystem respiration (Reco) of 1008 g C m−2 yr−1. Seasonal variation was driven by higher GEE in summer rather than by Reco. Consequently, Reco accounted for ca. 51% of GEE in summer, compared to 56% in spring. In addition, temperature was an important climatic factor in spring, whereas vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and global radiation (Rg) were more critical in summer. Overall, our results highlight the robust carbon sequestration capacity of naturally developing pioneer forests, suggesting their potential role in restoring mined areas in Central Europe and other regions without water limitations following coal mining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)
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15 pages, 4456 KiB  
Article
Source Contribution Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in PM2.5 at Three Japanese Cities Using Positive Matrix Factorization with Organic Tracers
by Fumikazu Ikemori, Yuki Murakami, Megumi Takabayashi, Rie Nishimura, Mami Hiramatsu, Maku Ueda, Ayako Yoshino, Satoru Chatani, Kei Sato and Seiji Sugata
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020175 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 310
Abstract
To estimate the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their contributions to the total PAH emissions, more than 40 PAHs and organic tracers in PM2.5 collected in 3 cities of Japan were measured and a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model analysis [...] Read more.
To estimate the sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their contributions to the total PAH emissions, more than 40 PAHs and organic tracers in PM2.5 collected in 3 cities of Japan were measured and a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model analysis was performed. During the warm season, high PAH concentrations were detected in Nagoya, which is located in the port area. Total PAHs were classified into five sources: biomass combustion, semivolatile PAHs, and ship and industrial emissions, which were major, and road traffic and plastic combustion, which were minor. Analysis of the ship and industrial emissions revealed that the concentrations of these sources in the severe PAH pollution event in Nagoya exceeded 15 ng/m3 and the significant contribution exceeded 80%. In addition, PAHs indicating a risk of carcinogenicity, such as 1 to 2B by IARC and 1 to B2 by U.S. EPA, had the highest contribution to this factor among the five factors such as biomass burning and ship and industrial emissions. Our results suggest that sources of high PAH emissions exist in the port areas of Nagoya. The PMF analysis performed in this study, using combustion organics as indicators, is expected to aid other countries and regions in identifying the sources of PAHs for their effective control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of Atmosphere)
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26 pages, 1805 KiB  
Article
Methane Emissions from Coal Mines: Quantification, Capture, and Utilization Strategies for Atmospheric Impact Mitigation—A Case Study from Poland
by Marek Borowski, Klaudia Zwolińska-Glądys and Jianwei Cheng
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020174 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 361
Abstract
Methane emissions from coal mines represent a significant environmental and atmospheric challenge, contributing to global greenhouse gas accumulation and impacting local air quality. This study aimed to quantify methane emissions from Polish coal mines, analyze their environmental and economic impacts, and evaluate advanced [...] Read more.
Methane emissions from coal mines represent a significant environmental and atmospheric challenge, contributing to global greenhouse gas accumulation and impacting local air quality. This study aimed to quantify methane emissions from Polish coal mines, analyze their environmental and economic impacts, and evaluate advanced mitigation technologies to inform sustainable practices and policy alignment with global climate objectives. The study examined methane emissions from hard coal mining in Poland, emphasizing their scale, sources, and implications for the sector’s carbon footprint. A comprehensive overview of measurement methodologies, including direct sampling and advanced monitoring systems, is provided to highlight current capabilities and limitations. Furthermore, innovative capture technologies, such as ventilation air methane oxidation systems and methane drainage techniques, are explored alongside utilization pathways for energy production, including electricity generation and hydrogen synthesis. By integrating quantitative analyses and case studies, the article evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing methane emissions and improving air quality. The findings underscore the critical role of methane management in transitioning the coal industry toward more sustainable practices and achieving carbon neutrality goals. This study aims to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers by presenting actionable insights into mitigating methane emissions, while fostering the dual objectives of environmental protection and resource efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Air Quality Assessment: Forecasting and Monitoring)
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13 pages, 4734 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Airfoil Lightning Strikes Characterization on Aircraft in Dynamic Conditions
by Ning Yang, Zheng Shi, Ying Wen, Shuangwu Yuan and Haohui Zhang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020173 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 299
Abstract
Lightning is a long-gap high-current discharge event in nature, and its enormous discharge energy can cause structural damage to struck objects. Relevant studies have shown that aircraft in the air are exposed to a higher risk of lightning strikes than ground objects. However, [...] Read more.
Lightning is a long-gap high-current discharge event in nature, and its enormous discharge energy can cause structural damage to struck objects. Relevant studies have shown that aircraft in the air are exposed to a higher risk of lightning strikes than ground objects. However, most studies on aircraft lightning strikes have used static models, and there are still shortages of research objects under high-speed movements. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an investigation of the lightning strike characteristics of aircraft under dynamic conditions to ensure flight safety fully. In this study, the lightning strike characteristics of airfoil under dynamic conditions have been simulated by studying two variables, airspeed and angle of attack, while employing the Leader Progression Model (LPM). The results show that adjustments in the angle of attack cause changes in the atmospheric pressure field, and a maximum pressure difference of up to 5.44 × 104 Pa is observed at the angle of attack of 15°, which results in a change in the average electric field strength Estr, leading to a 33.63% difference in the upward leader trigger height. At an airspeed equal to 120 m/s, the trigger height in the low-pressure region is only 54.7% of that in the high-pressure region (435 m and 795 m, respectively). A higher lightning strike risk is found in areas of higher air pressure and is positively correlated with angle of attack and airspeed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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22 pages, 3625 KiB  
Article
Benchmarking Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors: Evaluating Performance Under Controlled Environmental Conditions Using Low-Cost Experimental Setups
by Arianna Alvarez Cruz, Olivier Schalm, Luis Ernesto Morera Hernández, Alain Martínez Laguardia, Daniellys Alejo Sánchez, Mayra C. Morales Pérez, Rosa Amalia González Rivero and Yasser Morera Gómez
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020172 - 3 Feb 2025
Viewed by 657
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is widely recognized as a major air pollutant with significant impacts on human health, highlighting the need for accurate monitoring. In developing countries, low-cost sensors are crucial for accessible PM monitoring, but their accuracy and reliability must first be assessed. [...] Read more.
Particulate matter (PM) is widely recognized as a major air pollutant with significant impacts on human health, highlighting the need for accurate monitoring. In developing countries, low-cost sensors are crucial for accessible PM monitoring, but their accuracy and reliability must first be assessed. This study benchmarked the Alphasense OPC-N3 and Next PM sensors through laboratory and field evaluations. Laboratory tests were performed in controlled conditions with HEPA-filtered air at low humidity and varying concentrations of water droplets from nebulized deionized water. A 27-day field study in Cienfuegos, Cuba, provided additional insights into real-world performance. The OPC-N3 showed susceptibility to perturbations and was more affected by outliers (especially PM10), relative humidity, and interference from aqueous aerosols. In contrast, the Next PM sensor demonstrated superior stability, lower noise levels, and consistent performance across different environmental conditions. Despite a substantial price difference, both sensors provided valid measurements. Additionally, both sensors produced lognormal PM concentration distributions during field campaigns. This feature could aid in addressing the calibration stability challenges commonly associated with low-cost sensors through in situ calibration methods. While the PM measurements by affordable sensors are not perfect, they are sufficiently reliable for supporting air quality assessments in resource-limited settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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16 pages, 1145 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Holiday Effect on Elevated Traffic-Related Air Pollution with Hyperlocal Measurements in Chengdu, China
by Sheng Xiang, Jiaojiao Yu, Yu Ting Yu, Pengbo Zhao, Tie Zheng, Jingsong Yue, Yuanyuan Yang and Haobing Liu
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020171 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 561
Abstract
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) pose significant health risks in megacities, yet fixed monitoring sites often fail to capture their complexity. To characterize the TRAP concentrations which fixed sites cannot address, we employed a mobile platform to effectively capture real-time hyperlocal-scale TRAP variations in [...] Read more.
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) pose significant health risks in megacities, yet fixed monitoring sites often fail to capture their complexity. To characterize the TRAP concentrations which fixed sites cannot address, we employed a mobile platform to effectively capture real-time hyperlocal-scale TRAP variations in Chengdu, China. A 17-day sampling campaign was conducted covering the National Holiday of China and collected ~1.2 × 105 1 Hz paired data. We measured particle number concentration (PNC), black carbon (BC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) across urban and rural freeway environments to assess the impact of reduced heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) during the holiday (i.e., holiday effect). No clear impact of wind direction on TRAP concentrations was found in this study. However, substantial differences (two times) were observed when comparing non-holiday to holiday campaigns. Spearman correlations (0.21–0.56) between TRAPs persistently exceeded Pearson correlations (0.14–0.41), indicating non-linear relationships and suggesting the necessity for data transformations (e.g., logarithms) in TRAP analysis. The comparison of the background subtracted TRAPs concentrations between non-holiday and holidays, revealing approximately a 50% reduction in TRAPs across microenvironments. Among the TRAPs, NOx emerged as a reliable indicator of HDDV emissions. The study provides insights into vehicle fleet composition impacts, paving the way for enhanced exposure assessment strategies. Full article
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14 pages, 2537 KiB  
Review
Effects of Leaf Trait Variability on PM Retention: A Systematic Review
by Wenkai Xue, Yongjun Lin, Zhengqi Sun, Yuchong Long, Dele Chen and Shan Yin
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020170 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most urgent urban environment problems in the world today. The urban ecosystem has been identified as a potentially promising solution to reduce the airborne PM based on the ability of plants to retain PM. Numerous [...] Read more.
Airborne particulate matter (PM) is one of the most urgent urban environment problems in the world today. The urban ecosystem has been identified as a potentially promising solution to reduce the airborne PM based on the ability of plants to retain PM. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the process and mechanism of atmospheric PM retention by plant leaves in the past. In this study, in order to better summarize previous research, particularly the impact of leaf traits on PM retention, and to provide guidance for the selection of tree species for nature-based urban PM solutions, a systematic review was carried out using the method recommended in the PRISMA, and a total of 49 articles were selected. It was found that: 1. Asian countries contribute the majority of the proportion (32, 65%). Following behind are European countries (13, 26.5%). The American countries contribute two cases. 2. Among all the tree species, Ginkgo biloba (16), Euonymus japonicus (11), Magnolia denudate (9), Styphnolobium japonicum (9), Magnolia grandiflora (8), and Prunus cerasifera (8) emerged as hot species in research. 3. Leaf area and shape emerged as the two most frequently discussed macro-indicators, while roughness, hairiness, and stomatal characteristics were the top three micro-indicators explored. 4. Roughness and stomata, respectively, play crucial roles in capturing larger PM particles and retaining fine and ultrafine PM through their recessed structures. Trichomes decrease the likelihood of particle resuspension and boosts the efficiency of PM retention. 5. Leaves with high rigidity and complex multi-faceted leaf shapes are typically presumed to exhibit higher PM retention efficiency for higher edge effects and increased interleaf turbulence. Furthermore, with rigidity and edge effects ensured, a larger leaf area is beneficial for retaining PM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of Atmosphere)
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21 pages, 5184 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Odor Levels at the Closest Receptors Depending on the Stack Terminal Types
by Roberto Bellasio and Roberto Bianconi
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020169 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis for evaluating the effects of different stack terminal configurations on the odor levels estimated at the receptors located close to the plant. Stack terminals may be of different types, for example vertical unobstructed, vertical [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis for evaluating the effects of different stack terminal configurations on the odor levels estimated at the receptors located close to the plant. Stack terminals may be of different types, for example vertical unobstructed, vertical with rain cap, horizontal, gooseneck or with any slope with respect to the vertical. The comparison between CALPUFF and LAPMOD with vertical unobstructed stacks, rain capped stacks and different emission temperatures shows that the results are comparable, even though there is a tendency of LAPMOD to underpredict when vertical unobstructed stacks are used. A detailed numerical analysis has then been performed with the LAPMOD dispersion model, which adopts a numerical plume rise scheme capable to simulate releases with any orientation. Two different sites have been considered, both located in northern Italy: one with almost flat orography, and one with relatively complex orography. The results show that the choice of the stack terminal has important effects on the odor levels predicted at the closest receptors. The vertical unobstructed stack always has a smaller impact than all the other terminal types, particularly for low emission temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
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22 pages, 1878 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Black Carbon (BC) and the Secondary Aerosol (p-SO42– and p-NO3) Components of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), and Cardiopulmonary Morbidity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
by Shedrack R. Nayebare, Omar S. Aburizaiza, Azhar Siddique, David O. Carpenter, Hussain M. Mirza, Jahan Zeb, Abdullah J. Aburiziza and Haider A. Khwaja
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020168 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 556
Abstract
Abstract: This study assessed the morbidity risk for respiratory (RDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) from the exposure to black carbon (BC), p-SO42–, and p-NO3 measured in PM2.5 collected from Jeddah. The 24 h PM [...] Read more.
Abstract: This study assessed the morbidity risk for respiratory (RDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) from the exposure to black carbon (BC), p-SO42–, and p-NO3 measured in PM2.5 collected from Jeddah. The 24 h PM2.5 sampling was done at three sites for 6 weeks quarterly from 8 April 2013 to 18 February 2014, with concurrent hospital data collection. Though the data were collected more than a decade ago, the results are still applicable to the current middle east region and beyond. The relative risk (RR) for CVDs and RDs was computed in a single pollutant GLM time-series model using moving averages (MAs) and presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, the morbidity risk was highest in outpatients. The risk of RDs was highest in younger age groups with age group 0–14 years being the most vulnerable, while the risk of CVDs was highest in age groups above 30 years. BC: The risk of RDs was highest in outpatient females of 0–14 years at all MAs; 1.483 (1.035, 2.123) to 2.501 (1.522, 4.112), and males of 31–45 years; 1.758 (1.134, 2.725) to 1.895 (1.142, 3.145) at MAs 5–7. The risk of CVDs was highest in age group 61–75 years but with a marginal statistical significance. p-SO42–: The risk of RDs was highest in males of 31–45 years; 1.173 (1.066, 1.291) to 1.256 (1.126, 1.400) at MAs_3–7. The risk of CVDs was also highest in age group 31–45 years; 1.078 (1.004, 1.157) to 1.090 (1.010, 1.177), with higher risk estimates in males; 1.084 (0.986, 1.191) to 1.120 (1.013, 1.239) at MAs 4–7. p-NO3: No significant risk was observed for RD morbidity. The overall risk of CVDs was significant in outpatients with an age group of 61–75 years at all MAs; 1.204 (1.014, 1.429) to 1.316 (1.096, 1.579); females, 1.221 (0.987, 1.511) to 1.428 (1.123, 1.816); and males, 1.205 (1.022, 1.421) to 1.258 (1.052, 1.505). This is the first study to assess the cardiopulmonary risk from BC, p-SO42–, and p-NO3 exposure in Jeddah. A high morbidity risk was observed in all age groups, accentuating the effects of elevated air pollution in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Females of 0–14 years were more at risk for RDs morbidity while the CVDs morbidity risk was relatively higher in males in age groups above 30 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure Assessment of Air Pollution (2nd Edition))
26 pages, 1931 KiB  
Article
Coupling Indoor and Outdoor Heat Stress During the Hot Summer of 2022: A Case Study of Freiburg, Germany
by Olga Shevchenko, Markus Sulzer, Andreas Christen and Andreas Matzarakis
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020167 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Indoor and outdoor heat stress, which can appear during warm periods of the year, often has a negative impact on health and reduces productivity at work and study. Intense heat waves (HWs) are causing increasing rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Indoor and outdoor heat stress, which can appear during warm periods of the year, often has a negative impact on health and reduces productivity at work and study. Intense heat waves (HWs) are causing increasing rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the coupling and delay of indoor and outdoor heat stress during HW events, using the example of ten workplaces (WPs) situated in different offices and buildings in the medium-sized city of Freiburg, Germany. The relationships between air temperature, humidity, and thermal stress intensity in the WPs were explored during HW periods. It was found that the level of thermal load in the investigated WPs was very different compared to that outdoors (during HWs and the entire summer). The mean physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) for the summer of 2022 inside the investigated offices was 2 °C higher than outside. All classes of thermo-physiological stress were observed outdoors at a meteorological station during the study period. While at eight of the ten workplaces, the most frequent physiological stress was slight heat stress (ranging between 62.4% and 97.4% of the time), the other two WPs were dominated by moderate heat stress (53.7% and 60.6% of the time). The daily amplitudes as well as diurnal courses of air temperature, humidity, and PET during the summer differed significantly at the ten different WPs. It is suggested to use vapor pressure instead of relative humidity to characterize and compare different HWs both outside and inside. It is proposed for future work research to analyze not only room and building characteristics but also the characteristics of the surroundings of the building for a better understanding of the key factors that influence human thermal comfort in different workplaces. A framework of the drivers affecting the coupling of outdoor and indoor heat stress is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Thermal Comfort Research)
21 pages, 12008 KiB  
Article
Fine-Grained Air Pollution Inference at Large-Scale Region Level via 3D Spatiotemporal Attention Super-Resolution Model
by Changqun Li, Shan Tang, Jing Liu, Kai Pan, Zhenyi Xu, Yunbo Zhao and Shuchen Yang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020166 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 362
Abstract
Air pollution presents a serious hazard to human health and the environment for the global rise in industrialization and urbanization. While fine-grained monitoring is crucial for understanding the formation and control of air pollution and their effects on human health, existing macro-regional level [...] Read more.
Air pollution presents a serious hazard to human health and the environment for the global rise in industrialization and urbanization. While fine-grained monitoring is crucial for understanding the formation and control of air pollution and their effects on human health, existing macro-regional level or ground-level methods make air pollution inference in the same spatial scale and fail to address the spatiotemporal correlations between cross-grained air pollution distribution. In this paper, we propose a 3D spatiotemporal attention super-resolution model (AirSTFM) for fine-grained air pollution inference at a large-scale region level. Firstly, we design a 3D-patch-wise self-attention convolutional module to extract the spatiotemporal features of air pollution, which aggregates both spatial and temporal information of coarse-grained air pollution and employs a sliding window to add spatial local features. Then, we propose a bidirectional optical flow feed-forward layer to extract the short-term air pollution diffusion characteristics, which can learn the temporal correlation contaminant diffusion between closeness time intervals. Finally, we construct a spatiotemporal super-resolution upsampling pretext task to model the higher-level dispersion features mapping between the coarse-grained and fined-grained air pollution distribution. The proposed method is tested on the PM2.5 pollution datatset of the Yangtze River Delta region. Our model outperforms the second best model in RMSE, MAE, and MAPE by 2.6%, 3.05%, and 6.36% in the 100% division, and our model also outperforms the second best model in RMSE, MAE, and MAPE by 3.86%, 3.76%, and 12.18% in the 40% division, which demonstrates the applicability of our model for different data sizes. Furthermore, the comprehensive experiment results show that our proposed AirSTFM outperforms the state-of-the-art models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Air Pollution Based on Remote Sensing (2nd Edition))
18 pages, 1244 KiB  
Article
Integration of Deep Learning Neural Networks and Feature-Extracted Approach for Estimating Future Regional Precipitation
by Shiu-Shin Lin, Kai-Yang Zhu and He-Yang Huang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020165 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 338
Abstract
This study proposes a deep neural network (DNN) as a downscaling framework with nonlinear features extracted by kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). KPCA utilizes kernel functions to extract nonlinear features from the source climatic data, reducing dimensionality and denoising. DNN is used to [...] Read more.
This study proposes a deep neural network (DNN) as a downscaling framework with nonlinear features extracted by kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). KPCA utilizes kernel functions to extract nonlinear features from the source climatic data, reducing dimensionality and denoising. DNN is used to learn the nonlinear and complex relationships among the features extracted by KPCA to predict future regional rainfall patterns and trends in complex island terrain in Taiwan. This study takes Taichung and Hualien, on both the eastern and western sides of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range, as examples to investigate the future rainfall trends and corresponding uncertainties, providing a reference for water resource management and usage. Since the Water Resources Agency (WRA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan currently recommends the CMIP5 (AR5) GCM models for Taiwan regional climate assessments, the different emission scenarios (RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5) data simulated by two AR5 GCMs, ACCESS and CSMK3, of the IPCC, and monthly rainfall data of case regions from January 1950 to December 2005 in the Central Weather Administration (CWA) in Taiwan are employed. DNN model parameters are optimized based on historical scenarios to estimate the trends and uncertainties of future monthly rainfall in the case regions. The simulated results show that the probability of rainfall increase will improve in the dry season and will reduce in the wet season in the mid-term to long-term. The future wet season rainfall in Hualien has the highest variability. It ranges from 201 mm to 300 mm, with representative concentration pathways RCP 4.5 much higher than RCP 8.5. The median percentage increase and decrease in RCP 8.5 are higher than in RCP 4.5. This indicates that RCP 8.5 has a greater impact on future monthly rainfall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Water Cycle and Climate Change (3rd Edition))
17 pages, 769 KiB  
Article
Assessing Risk of Emissions Generated During Illegal Waste Burning: Phytotoxicity and Bioaccumulation
by Selenge Tumurbaatar, Nora Kováts, Bettina Eck-Varanka, Gábor Teke and Katalin Hubai
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020164 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Open burning of agricultural waste is a common practice in both developed and developing regions of the world, and the emissions pose serious inputs for ambient concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). In addition, when agricultural waste burning is combined with open-air burning [...] Read more.
Open burning of agricultural waste is a common practice in both developed and developing regions of the world, and the emissions pose serious inputs for ambient concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM). In addition, when agricultural waste burning is combined with open-air burning of domestic waste such as plastic, rags, or tires, the potential risk of generating toxic emissions increases. PM samples produced via controlled burning of selected waste types were tested in our laboratory using the No. 227 OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals: Terrestrial Plant Test. Comparing two recommended test species, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and mustard (Sinapis alba), L. sativa showed significantly higher sensitivity, as treatment elucidated biomass reduction (Df = 1, F = 16.43, p = 0.000385), the biomass of the treated plants was 61.4-91.7% of the control plants. In our investigation inhibition in photosynthetic pigment activity (chlorophyll-b in lettuce (Df = 1, F = 3.609, p = 0.0701) was found. The levels of the stress enzyme peroxidase increased significantly in the case of both test species (L. sativa: Df = 1, F = 6.76, p = 0.0112; S. alba: Df = 1, F = 49.99, p = 1.63x0−9), indicating that peroxidase could be regarded as the most sensitive indicator of air pollution. The bioaccumulation pattern was also assessed, proving the risk of significant bioaccumulation of potentially toxic compounds in edible parts of the vegetables tested. Both test plants accumulated higher molecular weight PAHs in significant quantities, as the concentration of 5-ring PAHs was 43.2 μg/kg in mustard and 49.35 μg/kg in lettuce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
18 pages, 4893 KiB  
Article
A Rapid Computational Method for Quantifying Inter-Regional Air Pollutant Transport Dynamics
by Luoqi Yang, Guangjie Wang, YeGui Wang, Yibai Wang, Yongjing Ma and Xi Zhang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020163 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 341
Abstract
A novel atmospheric pollutant transport quantification model (APTQM) has been developed to analyze and quantify cross-regional air pollutant transport pathways and fluxes. The model integrates high-resolution numerical simulations, Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities, and advanced statistical evaluation metrics with boundary pixel decomposition methods [...] Read more.
A novel atmospheric pollutant transport quantification model (APTQM) has been developed to analyze and quantify cross-regional air pollutant transport pathways and fluxes. The model integrates high-resolution numerical simulations, Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities, and advanced statistical evaluation metrics with boundary pixel decomposition methods to effectively characterize complex pollutant transport dynamics while ensuring computational efficiency. To evaluate its performance, the model was applied to a representative winter pollution event in Beijing in December 2021, using fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as the target pollutant. The results underscore the model’s capability to accurately capture spatial and temporal variations in pollutant dispersion, effectively identify major transport pathways, and quantify the contributions of inter-regional sources. Cross-validation with established methods reveals strong spatial and temporal correlations, further substantiating its accuracy. APTQM demonstrates unique strengths in resolving dynamic transport processes within the boundary layer, particularly in scenarios involving complex cross-regional pollutant exchanges. However, the model’s reliance on a simplified chemical framework constrains its applicability to pollutants significantly influenced by secondary chemical transformations, such as ozone and nitrate. Consequently, APTQM is currently optimized for the quantification of primary pollutant transport rather than modeling complex atmospheric chemical processes. Overall, this study presents APTQM as a reliable and computationally efficient tool for quantifying inter-regional air pollutant transport, offering critical insights to support regional air quality management and policy development. Full article
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14 pages, 3532 KiB  
Article
Quantifying the Impact of Surface Ozone on Human Health and Crop Yields in China
by Yi Cui, Jiayan Wang, Jinghan Wang, Mingjie Kang and Hui Zhao
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020162 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
In recent years, surface ozone (O3) pollution has emerged as a significant barrier to the continued improvement of air quality in China, making O3 risk assessment a critical research priority. Using nationwide O3 monitoring data, this research investigated the [...] Read more.
In recent years, surface ozone (O3) pollution has emerged as a significant barrier to the continued improvement of air quality in China, making O3 risk assessment a critical research priority. Using nationwide O3 monitoring data, this research investigated the spatial characteristics of O3 pollution and assessed its potential impacts on human health and crop yields. The results showed that the maximum daily 8 h average O3 (MDA8 O3) exhibited higher concentrations in eastern and northern regions, and lower concentrations in the western and southern regions of China. Long-term O3 exposure was associated with an estimated 175,154 all-cause deaths nationwide, with the highest health risks observed in Shandong, Henan, and Jiangsu provinces. The AOT40 values for the winter wheat and single-rice growing seasons in China were 9.30 × 103 ppb·h and 1.29 × 104 ppb·h, respectively. Moreover, O3 exposure led to relative yield losses of 22.1% for winter wheat and 9.3% for single rice, corresponding to crop yield losses (CPLs) of 63 million metric tons and 14 million metric tons, respectively. Higher winter wheat CPL values were primarily concentrated in Henan, Shandong, and Hebei, while higher single rice CPL values were observed in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Anhui. This study presents a novel coupling of O3 pollution exposure with human health and agricultural risk assessments across China, emphasizing the need for region-specific O3 management strategies to protect public health and ensure agricultural sustainability. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of targeted O3 control in densely populated and major crop-producing areas to mitigate health risks and yield losses, thus safeguarding ecosystem health and food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coordinated Control of PM2.5 and O3 and Its Impacts in China)
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22 pages, 11315 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Ionospheric Effects of the Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 Using Multi-Instrument Measurements
by Aritra Sanyal, Bhuvnesh Brawar, Sovan Kumar Maity, Shreyam Jana, Jean Marie Polard, Peter Newton, George S. Williams, Stelios M. Potirakis, Haris Haralambous, Georgios Balasis, James Brundell, Pradipta Panchadhyayee, Abhirup Datta, Ajeet K. Maurya, Saibal Ray and Sudipta Sasmal
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020161 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 358
Abstract
Solar eclipses present a valuable opportunity for controlled in situ ionosphere studies. This work explores the response of the upper atmosphere’s F-layer during the total eclipse of 8 April 2024, which was primarily visible across North and South America. Employing a multi-instrument approach, [...] Read more.
Solar eclipses present a valuable opportunity for controlled in situ ionosphere studies. This work explores the response of the upper atmosphere’s F-layer during the total eclipse of 8 April 2024, which was primarily visible across North and South America. Employing a multi-instrument approach, we analyze the impact on the ionosphere’s Total Electron Content (TEC) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals over a three-day period encompassing the eclipse (7–9 April 2024). Ground-based observations leverage data from ten International GNSS Service (IGS)/Global Positioning System (GPS) stations and four VLF stations situated along the eclipse path. We compute vertical TEC (VTEC) alongside temporal variations in the VLF signal amplitude and phase to elucidate the ionosphere’s response. Notably, the IGS station data reveal a decrease in VTEC during the partial and total solar eclipse phases, signifying a reduction in ionization. While VLF data also exhibit a general decrease, they display more prominent fluctuations. Space-based observations incorporate data from Swarm and COSMIC-2 satellites as they traverse the eclipse path. Additionally, a spatiotemporal analysis utilizes data from the Global Ionospheric Map (GIM) database and the DLR’s (The German Aerospace Center’s) database. All space-based observations consistently demonstrate a significant depletion in VTEC during the eclipse. We further investigate the correlation between the percentage change in VTEC and the degree of solar obscuration, revealing a positive relationship. The consistent findings obtained from this comprehensive observational campaign bolster our understanding of the physical mechanisms governing ionospheric variability during solar eclipses. The observed depletion in VTEC aligns with the established principle that reduced solar radiation leads to decreased ionization within the ionosphere. Finally, geomagnetic data analysis confirms that external disturbances do not significantly influence our observations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Upper Atmosphere (2nd Edition))
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23 pages, 11007 KiB  
Article
Research on the Detection Model of Kernel Anomalies in Ionospheric Space Electric Fields
by Xingsu Li, Zhong Li, Jianping Huang, Ying Han, Yumeng Huo, Junjie Song and Bo Hao
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020160 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 332
Abstract
Research has found kernel anomaly regions in the power spectrum images of ionospheric electric fields in space, which are widely distributed. To effectively detect these kernel abnormal regions, this paper proposes a new kernel abnormal region detection method, KANs-Unet, based on KANs and [...] Read more.
Research has found kernel anomaly regions in the power spectrum images of ionospheric electric fields in space, which are widely distributed. To effectively detect these kernel abnormal regions, this paper proposes a new kernel abnormal region detection method, KANs-Unet, based on KANs and U-net networks. The model embeds the KAN-Conv convolutional module based on KANs in the encoder section, introduces the feature pyramid attention module (FPA) at the junction of the encoder and decoder, and introduces the CBAM attention mechanism module in the decoder section. The experimental results show that the improved KANs-Unet model has a mIoU improvement of about 10% compared to the PSPNet algorithm and an improvement of about 7.8% compared to the PAN algorithm. It has better detection performance than the currently popular semantic segmentation algorithms. A higher evaluation index represents that the detected abnormal area is closer to the label value (i.e., the detected abnormal area is more complete), indicating better detection performance. To further investigate the characteristics of kernel anomaly areas and the differences in features during magnetic storms, the author studied the characteristics of kernel anomaly areas during two different intensities of magnetic storms: from November 2021 to October 2022 and from 1 May 2024 to 13 May 2024 (large magnetic storm), and from 11 October 2023 to 23 October 2023 (moderate magnetic storm). During a major geomagnetic storm, the overall distribution of kernel anomaly areas shows a parallel trend with a band-like distribution. The spatial distribution of magnetic latitudes is relatively scattered, especially in the southern hemisphere, where the magnetic latitudes are wider. Additionally, the number of orbits with kernel anomaly areas during ascending increases, especially during peak periods of major geomagnetic storms. The overall spatial distribution of moderate geomagnetic storms does not change significantly, but the global magnetic latitude distribution is relatively concentrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ionospheric Sounding for Identification of Pre-seismic Activity)
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25 pages, 2250 KiB  
Article
Socioeconomic and Health Impacts of Dust Storms in Southwest Iran
by Neamat MalAmiri, Alireza Rashki, Ali Al-Dousari and Dimitris G. Kaskaoutis
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020159 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Dust storms are frequent meteorological phenomena in the arid and semi-arid regions of Khuzestan province (KHP) in southwest Iran. These storms result in significant social and economic repercussions that extend beyond mere meteorological and climatic disturbances. Over the past decade, they have become [...] Read more.
Dust storms are frequent meteorological phenomena in the arid and semi-arid regions of Khuzestan province (KHP) in southwest Iran. These storms result in significant social and economic repercussions that extend beyond mere meteorological and climatic disturbances. Over the past decade, they have become the primary cause of substantial environmental and socio-economic damage in the region. In this study, we aim to assess the economic impacts of sand/dust storms (SDSs) on human health, agriculture (specifically Estamran dates), and migration in KHP. Our findings reveal the following economic consequences: Respiratory diseases incurred a financial loss of approximately USD 14 million, with more than 450 individuals requiring hospitalization at a cost exceeding USD 0.04 million between April and July 2022. In addition, cardiovascular diseases related to SDSs resulted in costs exceeding USD 1.9 million within the same time frame. Cities near the sources of dust storms experienced a cumulative damage cost of approximately USD 6.8 million. The local population in these cities also suffered more significant adverse effects compared to those in cities farther from the influence of dust storms in southwest Iran. We further evaluated the impact of SDSs on the quality of Estamran dates by analyzing 20 samples from key Estamran date production areas in KHP, including Ahvaz, Abadan, Khorramshahr, and Shadegan. The cost of damages (COD) in this sector was estimated at around USD 18.3 million, with Shadegan bearing the brunt of the loss at approximately USD 8.3 million. SDSs also have an important social economic impact due to deterioration of living conditions and migration in KHP. In total, the socio-economic costs of SDSs in these three sectors amounted to about USD 39 million. This is particularly concerning considering that Khuzestan province contributed 14.8% to Iran’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020, representing 50% of the economic output of southwestern provinces. Therefore, the current findings represent an alarming situation regarding the socio-economic impacts of dust storms in SW Iran. Full article
14 pages, 5324 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Regional Ozone Pollution Generation and Intercity Transport Characteristics in the Yangtze River Delta
by Yu Cao, Jinghui Ma, Xiaoyi Wang and Juanjuan Bian
Atmosphere 2025, 16(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16020158 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 276
Abstract
Understanding the relative contributions of regional transport and local generation, alongside the nonlinear relationships between ozone (O3) and its precursors, is essential for formulating effective O3 pollution control strategies. The Yangtze River Delta region experiences pronounced O3 pollution transmission [...] Read more.
Understanding the relative contributions of regional transport and local generation, alongside the nonlinear relationships between ozone (O3) and its precursors, is essential for formulating effective O3 pollution control strategies. The Yangtze River Delta region experiences pronounced O3 pollution transmission between cities, with pollutants capable of spreading hundreds of kilometers downwind under varying wind, temperature, and humidity conditions. However, the distributional characteristics of regional O3 pollution transmission across different cities within this area remain unclear. This study applies the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality method to assess the spatial distribution of regional background and locally generated ozone concentrations, while using a composite analysis to examine the wind and temperature field characteristics during typical years of high ozone transport and local generation episodes. The results indicate that ozone concentrations across regions are strongly influenced by local wind anomalies, with elevated temperatures correlating with high O3 concentrations. Furthermore, an algorithm based on observed O3 concentrations and ground-level wind data was developed to quantify pollution transport rates more accurately, addressing uncertainties in pollutant transport dynamics due to variable wind fields and identifying “false” potential source areas. The findings reveal that intercity transport within the Yangtze River Delta contributes 45.2–65.1% to regional O3 levels, exceeding local generation in impact. Shanghai experiences the highest transmission influence (over 50%), while Zhejiang Province shows a dominant local generation influence (below 20%). In Anhui Province, O3 concentrations are notably high, with significant internal transport and substantial transmission to Jiangsu Province. This study offers valuable insights into the pathways, traceability, and three-dimensional wind field characteristics of O3 pollution across cities in the Yangtze River Delta, elucidating the dynamic mechanisms necessary for mitigating O3 pollution transmission in diverse urban settings. Full article
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