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High Resolution Chemical Stratigraphies of Atmospheric Depositions from a 4 m Depth Snow Pit at Dome C (East Antarctica) -
Toward Development of a Framework for Prediction System of Local-Scale Atmospheric Dispersion Based on a Coupling of LES-Database and On-Site Meteorological Observation -
The ICON SCM -
Deposition of Smoke Particles in Human Airways with Realistic Waveform
Journal Description
Atmosphere
Atmosphere
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of scientific studies related to the atmosphere published monthly online by MDPI. The Italian Aerosol Society (IAS) and Working Group of Air Quality in European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) are affiliated with Atmosphere and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
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- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Environmental Science, miscellaneous)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 14.3 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2021).
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- Companion journal: Meteorology.
Impact Factor:
2.686 (2020)
;
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.848 (2020)
Latest Articles
Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111 - 30 Aug 2021
Abstract
The cement manufacturing industry has played a fundamental role in global economic development, but its production is a major facilitator to anthropogenic CO2 release and solid waste generation. Nigeria has the largest cement industry in West Africa, with an aggregate capacity of
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The cement manufacturing industry has played a fundamental role in global economic development, but its production is a major facilitator to anthropogenic CO2 release and solid waste generation. Nigeria has the largest cement industry in West Africa, with an aggregate capacity of 58.9 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year. The Ministry for Mines and Steel Development asserts that the nation possesses total limestone deposits of around 2.3 trillion MT with 568 MMT standing as established reserves and 11 MMT used. Cement industries are largely responsible for releasing air pollutants and effluents into water bodies with apparent water quality deterioration over the years. Air pollution from lime and cement-producing plants is seen as a severe instigator of occupational health hazards and work-related life threats, negatively affecting crop yields, buildings, and persons residing in the vicinity of these industries. World Bank observed in 2015 that 94% of the Nigerian populace is susceptible to air pollutants that surpass WHO guidelines. In 2017, World Bank further reported that 49,100 premature deaths emanated from atmospheric PM2.5, with children beneath age 5 having the greatest vulnerability owing to lower respiratory infections, thereby representing approximately 60% of overall PM2.5-induced deaths. Cement manufacturing involves the significant production of SO2, NOx, and CO connected to adverse health effects on humans. Sensitive populations such as infants, the aged, and persons having underlying respiratory ailments like asthmatics, emphysema, or bronchitis are seen to be most affected. Consequently, in addressing this challenge, growing interests in enacting carbon capture, usage, and storage in the cement industry is expected to alleviate the negative environmental impact of cement production. Still, no carbon capture technology is yet to achieve commercialization in the cement industry. Nonetheless, huge advancement has been made in recent years with the advent of vital research in sorption-enhanced water gas shift, underground gasification combined cycle, ammonium hydroxide solution, and the microbial-induced synthesis of calcite for CO2 capture and storage, all considered sustainable and feasible in cement production.
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(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality and Human Health)
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Open AccessArticle
Environmental Impact of District Heating System Retrofitting
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091110 - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Retrofitting of district heating systems is a comprehensive process which covers all stages of district heating (DH) systems: production, distribution and consumption. This study quantitatively shows the effect of retrofitting measures and represents strengths and weaknesses of different development scenarios. Improvements in production
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Retrofitting of district heating systems is a comprehensive process which covers all stages of district heating (DH) systems: production, distribution and consumption. This study quantitatively shows the effect of retrofitting measures and represents strengths and weaknesses of different development scenarios. Improvements in production units show improvements in fuel use efficiency and thus indirectly reduce CO2 emissions due to unburned fuel. For this purpose, validated district planning tools have been used. Tool uses mathematical model for calculation and evaluation of all three main components of the DH system. For the quantitative evaluation, nine efficiency and balance indicators were used. For each indicator, recommended boundary values were proposed. In total, six simulation scenarios were simulated, and the last scenario have shown significant reduction in CO2 emissions by 40% (from 3376 to 2000 t CO2 compared to the actual state), while share of biomass has reached 47%.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
Spatial Distribution and Chemical Composition of Road Dust in Two High-Altitude Latin American Cities
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, , , , , , , , , , and
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091109 - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Road dust (RD) resuspension is one of the main sources of particulate matter in cities with adverse impacts on air quality, health, and climate. Studies on the variability of the deposited PM10 fraction of RD (RD10) have been limited in
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Road dust (RD) resuspension is one of the main sources of particulate matter in cities with adverse impacts on air quality, health, and climate. Studies on the variability of the deposited PM10 fraction of RD (RD10) have been limited in Latin America, whereby our understanding of the central factors that control this pollutant remains incomplete. In this study, forty-one RD10 samples were collected in two Andean cities (Bogotá and Manizales) and analyzed for ions, minerals, and trace elements. RD10 levels varied between 1.8–45.7 mg/m2, with an average of 11.8 mg/m2, in Bogotá and between 0.8–26.7 mg/m2, with an average of 5.7 mg/m2, in Manizales. Minerals were the most abundant species in both cities, with a fraction significantly larger in Manizales (38%) than Bogotá (9%). The difference could be explained mainly by the complex topography and the composition of soil derived from volcanic ash in Manizales. The volcanic activity was also associated with SO4⁻2 and Clˉ. Enrichment factors and principal component analysis were conducted to explore potential factors associated to sources of RD10. Elements such as Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Sb, and Mo were mainly associated with exhaust and non-exhaust traffic emissions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Road Dust in Urban and Industrial Environments: Sources, Pollutants, Impacts, and Management)
Open AccessArticle
Analysis of Marine Diesel Engine Emission Characteristics of Different Power Ranges in China
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091108 - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
In order to accurately assess China’s port air pollution caused by the shipping industry, two main methods can be used to calculate the emissions of ships, including the method based on ship fuel consumption and the method based on ship activities. Both methods
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In order to accurately assess China’s port air pollution caused by the shipping industry, two main methods can be used to calculate the emissions of ships, including the method based on ship fuel consumption and the method based on ship activities. Both methods require accurate diesel engine emission factors, or specific emissions. In this paper, the emission characteristics of NOX, CO, CO2 and THC from 197 domestic marine diesel engines were tested under bench test conditions by a standard emission measurement system. The diesel engines were divided into six Classes, A~F, according to their power distribution, and the fuel-based emission factors and energy-based emission factors of marine main engine and auxiliary engine meeting IMO NOX Tier II standards were given. The results showed that the main engine fuel-based emission factors of NOX, CO, CO2 and THC from Class A to Class F were 33.25~76.58, 2.70~4.33, 3123.92~3166.47 and 1.10~2.64 kg/t-fuel, respectively; and the energy-based emission factors were 6.57~11.75, 0.56~0.81, 530.28~659.71 and 0.18~0.61 g/kW h, respectively. The auxiliary engine fuel-based emission factors of NOX, CO, CO2 and THC from Class A to Class D were 27.17~39.81, 2.66~5.12, 3113.01~3141.34 and 1.16~2.87 kg/t-fuel respectively; and their energy-based emission factors were 6.06~8.33, 0.47~0.77, 656.86~684.91 and 0.21~0.61 g/kW h, respectively. The emission factors for different types of diesel engines were closely related to the diesel engine load, and the relation between them could be expressed by quadratic polynomial or power function. The results of this paper provide valuable data for the estimation of waterway transportation exhaust emissions and comprehensive understanding of the emission characteristics of marine diesel engines.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ocean Environment Modelling and Air Emissions from Shipping)
Open AccessArticle
Large Eddy Simulations of Turbulent and Buoyant Flows in Urban and Complex Terrain Areas Using the Aeolus Model
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, , , , and
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091107 - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Fast and accurate predictions of the flow and transport of materials in urban and complex terrain areas are challenging because of the heterogeneity of buildings and land features of different shapes and sizes connected by canyons and channels, which results in complex patterns
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Fast and accurate predictions of the flow and transport of materials in urban and complex terrain areas are challenging because of the heterogeneity of buildings and land features of different shapes and sizes connected by canyons and channels, which results in complex patterns of turbulence that can enhance material concentrations in certain regions. To address this challenge, we have developed an efficient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code called Aeolus that is based on first principles for predicting transport and dispersion of materials in complex terrain and urban areas. The model can be run in a very efficient Reynolds average Navier–Stokes (RANS) mode or a detailed large eddy simulation (LES) mode. The RANS version of Aeolus was previously validated against field data for tracer gas and radiological dispersal releases. As a part of this work, we have validated the Aeolus model in LES mode against two different sets of data: (1) turbulence quantities measured in complex terrain at Askervein Hill; and (2) wind and tracer data from the Joint Urban 2003 field campaign for urban topography. As a third set-up, we have applied Aeolus to simulate cloud rise dynamics for buoyant plumes from high-temperature explosions. For all three cases, Aeolus LES predictions compare well to observations and other models. These results indicate that Aeolus LES can be used to accurately simulate turbulent flow and transport for a wide range of applications and scales.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High Performance Computing Serving Atmospheric Transport & Dispersion Modelling)
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Observations of Quasi-Periodic Electric Field Disturbances in the E Region before and during the Equatorial Plasma Bubble
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091106 - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Wave-like electric field disturbances in the ionosphere before the Equatorial Plasma Bubble (EPB) are the subject of numerous recent studies that address the issue of possible short-term forecasting of EPB. We report the observations of the Equatorial Quasi-Periodic-Electric field Disturbances (QP-EDs) of the
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Wave-like electric field disturbances in the ionosphere before the Equatorial Plasma Bubble (EPB) are the subject of numerous recent studies that address the issue of possible short-term forecasting of EPB. We report the observations of the Equatorial Quasi-Periodic-Electric field Disturbances (QP-EDs) of the Field-aligned Irregularities (FAI) in the E region before the EPB occurrence in the F region. They are observed from 30 MHz coherent scatter radar during the SpreadFEx campaign 2005 carried out in Brasil. The presently reported QP-EDs at the equatorial E region below an altitude of 110 km are undescribed so far. Though QP-EDs characteristics vary on a day-to-day basis, consistent features are their intensification before the EPB, and their simultaneous occurrence with EPBs. This study highlights the monitoring of QP-EDs in the short-term forecasting of EPBs and further reveals the robust energetics of vertical coupling between E and F regions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamical and Chemical Processes of Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling)
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Open AccessBrief Report
Fuel-Operated Auxiliary Heaters Are a Major Additional Source of Vehicular Particulate Emissions in Cold Regions
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, , , , , and
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091105 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
Fuel-operated auxiliary heaters (AHs) can be notable sources of particle emissions from vehicles. The emissions of AHs are unregulated, and the number of devices is high; therefore, they make considerable contributions to local air quality, and even the global emissions budget. Experiments for
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Fuel-operated auxiliary heaters (AHs) can be notable sources of particle emissions from vehicles. The emissions of AHs are unregulated, and the number of devices is high; therefore, they make considerable contributions to local air quality, and even the global emissions budget. Experiments for studying the emissions were performed in Finland for a total of eight selected vehicles with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) AHs installed, including both diesel- and gasoline-operated heaters. We present the numerical results of particle emissions and compare the particle concentrations in the AH exhaust to values found in the tailpipe exhaust of the same vehicle. Our results show that the emissions from auxiliary heaters are typically several orders of magnitude higher than of a car exhaust when idling. This raises the question of whether the use of heaters is justified based on the goal to reduce total emissions from vehicle use; furthermore, whether fuel-operated heaters should also be applied in electric vehicles for cabin heating. More research will be needed to characterize the emissions more thoroughly to understand the air quality and climate effects from AHs, and to provide further recommendations on the use of these heaters.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Transport Systems on Air Pollution and Human Health)
Open AccessArticle
Short-Term Assessment of Nitrous Oxide and Methane Emissions on a Crop Yield Basis in Response to Different Organic Amendment Types in Sichuan Basin
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, , , , , and
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091104 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
Agriculture’s goal to meet the needs of the increasing world population while reducing the environmental impacts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use without compromising output has proven to be a challenge. Manure and composts have displayed the potential to increase soil fertility. However, their
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Agriculture’s goal to meet the needs of the increasing world population while reducing the environmental impacts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use without compromising output has proven to be a challenge. Manure and composts have displayed the potential to increase soil fertility. However, their potential effects on nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions have not been properly understood. Using field-scaled lysimeter experiments, we conducted a one-year study to investigate N2O and CH4 emissions, their combined global warming potential (GWP: N2O + CH4) and yield-scaled GWP in a wheat-maize system. One control and six different organic fertilizer treatments receiving different types but equal amounts of N fertilization were used: synthetic N fertilizer (NPK), 30% pig manure + 70% synthetic N fertilizer (PM30), 50% pig manure + 50% synthetic N fertilizer (PM50), 70% pig manure + 30% synthetic N fertilizer (PM70), 100% pig manure (PM100), 50% cow manure-crop residue compost + 50% synthetic N fertilizer (CMRC), and 50% pig manure-crop residue compost + 50% synthetic N fertilizer (PMRC). Seasonal cumulative N2O emissions ranged from 0.39 kg N ha−1 for the PMRC treatment to 0.93 kg N ha−1 for the NPK treatment. Similar CH4 uptakes were recorded across all treatments, with values ranging from −0.68 kg C ha−1 for the PM50 treatment to −0.52 kg C ha−1 for the PM30 treatment. Compared to the NPK treatment, all the organic-amended treatments significantly decreased N2O emission by 32–58% and GWP by 30–61%. However, among the manure-amended treatments, only treatments that consisted of inorganic N with lower or equal proportions of organic manure N treatments were found to reduce N2O emissions while maintaining crop yields at high levels. Moreover, of all the organic-amended treatments, PMRC had the lowest yield-scaled GWP, owing to its ability to significantly reduce N2O emissions while maintaining high crop yields, highlighting it as the most suitable organic fertilization treatment in Sichuan basin wheat-maize systems.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
Open AccessArticle
Edge Detection Method for Determining Boundary Layer Height Based on Doppler Lidar
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091103 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
The top of the boundary layer, referred to as the planetary boundary layer height (BLH), is an important physical parameter in atmospheric numerical models, which has a critical role in atmospheric simulation, air pollution prevention, and climate prediction. The traditional methods for determining
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The top of the boundary layer, referred to as the planetary boundary layer height (BLH), is an important physical parameter in atmospheric numerical models, which has a critical role in atmospheric simulation, air pollution prevention, and climate prediction. The traditional methods for determining BLHs using Doppler lidar vertical velocity variance ( ) can be classified into the variance and peak methods, which depend on atmospheric conditions due to their use of a single threshold, hence limiting their ability to estimate diurnal BLHs. Edge detection (ED) was later introduced in BLH estimation due to its ability to identify the 2D gradient of an image. A key step in ED is automatically identifying the edge of BLHs based on the peaks of the profile, hence avoiding the influence of extreme atmospheric conditions. Two cases in the diurnal cycle on 4 March 2019 and 8 July 2019 reveal that ED outperforms both the variance and peak methods in nighttime and extreme atmospheric conditions. The retrieved BLHs from 2018 to 2020 were compared with radiosonde (RS) measurements for the same time at the neutral, stable, and convective boundary layers. The correlation coefficient (R: 0.4 vs. 0.05, 0.14; 0.26 vs. −0.10, −0.16; 0.35 vs. 0.01, 0.16) and root mean square error (RMSE (km): 0.58 vs. 0.82, 0.90; 0.37 vs. 1.01, 0.50; 0.66 vs. 0.98, 0.82) obtained by the ED method were higher and lower than those obtained by the variance and peak methods, respectively. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the ED method under the NBL, SBL, and CBL conditions are lower than the variance and peak methods (MAE (km): 0.44, 0.14, 0.50 vs. 0.62, 0.34, 0.64; 0.59, 0.75, 0.74), respectively. The mean relative error (MRE) of the ED method is lower than the variance and peak methods under the NBL condition (MRE: −8.88% vs. −18.39%, 13.91%). Under the SBL, the MRE of the ED method is lower than the variance method and higher than the peak method (−38.64%, vs. −152.23%; 14.02%). Under the CBL, the MRE of the ED method is lower than the variance method and higher than the peak method (−15.07% vs. 2.24%; 5.64%). In addition, the comparison between ED and wavelet covariance transform (WCT) method and RS measurements showed that the ED method has a similar performance with the WCT method and is even better. In the long-term analysis, the hourly and monthly BLHs in the diurnal and annual cycles, respectively, as obtained by ED, were highly consistent with the RS measurements and obtained the lowest standard error. In the annual cycle, the retrieved BLHs in summer and autumn were higher than those retrieved in spring and winter.
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(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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Open AccessArticle
Sensitivity of Change-Point Detection and Trend Estimates to GNSS IWV Time Series Properties
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091102 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study investigates the sensitivity of the GNSSseg segmentation method to change in: GNSS data processing method, length of time series (17 to 25 years), auxiliary data used in the integrated water vapor (IWV) conversion, and reference time series used in the segmentation
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This study investigates the sensitivity of the GNSSseg segmentation method to change in: GNSS data processing method, length of time series (17 to 25 years), auxiliary data used in the integrated water vapor (IWV) conversion, and reference time series used in the segmentation (ERA-Interim versus ERA5). Two GNSS data sets (IGS repro1 and CODE REPRO2015), representative of the first and second IGS reprocessing, were compared. Significant differences were found in the number and positions of detected change-points due to different a priori ZHD models, antenna/radome calibrations, and mapping functions. The more recent models used in the CODE solution have reduced noise and allow the segmentation to detect smaller offsets. Similarly, the more recent reanalysis ERA5 has reduced representativeness errors, improved quality compared to ERA-Interim, and achieves higher sensitivity of the segmentation. Only 45–50% of the detected change-points are similar between the two GNSS data sets or between the two reanalyses, compared to 70–80% when the length of the time series or the auxiliary data are changed. About 35% of the change-points are validated with respect to metadata. The uncertainty in the homogenized trends is estimated to be around 0.01–0.02 kg m year .
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Homogenization Methods for Climate Records)
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Ionization Waves Enhance the Production of X-rays during Streamer Collisions
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091101 - 26 Aug 2021
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Experimental data show that in laboratory sparks, X-rays are produced in time synchronization with the meeting of streamers of opposite polarity just before the final breakdown of the discharge gap. It has been suggested that the electric field enhancement created during the collision
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Experimental data show that in laboratory sparks, X-rays are produced in time synchronization with the meeting of streamers of opposite polarity just before the final breakdown of the discharge gap. It has been suggested that the electric field enhancement created during the collision of streamers could provide the necessary conditions for electron acceleration, even though some of the theoretical studies show that the duration of the electric field is not long enough to do so. The experimental data on laboratory discharges show that. when streamers of opposite polarity meet each other, a potential or ionization wave that renders the streamer channels conducting is initiated. This paper shows that these ionization waves that convert the discharge channels from weakly conducting to highly conducting are associated with electric fields large enough to accelerate electrons to relativistic energies.
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Open AccessArticle
Defining Heatwaves with Respect to Human Biometeorology. The Case of Attica Region, Greece
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091100 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
To date, due to climate change, heatwaves are more frequent, with greater intensity and duration resulting in deleterious impacts on human health. To be able to manage heatwaves and quantify the impacts on human health, it is crucial to define them and implement
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To date, due to climate change, heatwaves are more frequent, with greater intensity and duration resulting in deleterious impacts on human health. To be able to manage heatwaves and quantify the impacts on human health, it is crucial to define them and implement policy preventive measures. However, heatwaves are relative to the climate of a location: The same meteorological conditions can constitute a heatwave in one place but not in another. Due to different climatic conditions, social characteristics, and adaptation, heatwaves should be defined on a local scale, which poses difficulties when it comes to comparison of different definitions. The aim of the present study is to define heatwaves, implementing robust statistical analysis for three different indicators (temperature, physiological equivalent temperature (PET), and universal thermal climate index (UTCI)) for three causes of mortality (i.e., cardiological and respiratory mortality and cardiorespiratory mortality) using Attica (Greece) as a case study. Our results define a heatwave for Attica as a period of at least 3 days when the mean temperature is higher than the 97.5th percentile. Afterwards, we encapsulate the harvesting effect by implementing robust statistical analysis, using the Superposed Epoch analysis. Consequently, quantifying heatwaves is crucial so as to create early warning systems and prevent avoidable mortality.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biometeorology)
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A Comparative Analysis of Emissions from a Compression–Ignition Engine Powered by Diesel, Rapeseed Biodiesel, and Biodiesel from Chlorella protothecoides Biomass Cultured under Different Conditions
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091099 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
The priority faced by energy systems in road transport is to develop and implement clean technologies. These actions are expected to reduce emissions and slow down climate changes. An alternative in this case may be the use of biodiesel produced from microalgae. However,
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The priority faced by energy systems in road transport is to develop and implement clean technologies. These actions are expected to reduce emissions and slow down climate changes. An alternative in this case may be the use of biodiesel produced from microalgae. However, its production and use need to be justified economically and technologically. The main objective of this study was to determine the emissions from an engine powered by biodiesel produced from the bio-oil of Chlorella protothecoides cultured with different methods, i.e., using a pure chemical medium (BD-ABM) and a medium based on the effluents from an anaerobic reactor (BD-AAR). The results obtained were compared to the emissions from engines powered by conventional biodiesel from rapeseed oil (BD-R) and diesel from crude oil (D-CO). The use of effluents as a medium in Chlorella protothecoides culture had no significant effect on the properties of bio-oil nor the composition of FAME. In both cases, octadecatrienoic acid proved to be the major FAME (50% wt/wt), followed by oleic acid (ca. 22%) and octadecadienoic acid (over 15%). The effluents from UASB were found to significantly reduce the biomass growth rate and lipid content of the biomass. The CO2 emissions were comparable for all fuels tested and increased linearly along with an increasing engine load. The use of microalgae biodiesel resulted in a significantly lower CO emission compared to the rapeseed biofuel and contributed to lower NOx emission. Regardless of engine load tested, the HC emission was the highest in the engine powered by diesel. At low engine loads, it was significantly lower when the engine was powered by microalgae biodiesel than by rapeseed biodiesel.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engine Emissions and Air Quality)
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The Analysis of Long-Term Trends in the Meteorological and Hydrological Drought Occurrences Using Non-Parametric Methods—Case Study of the Catchment of the Upper Noteć River (Central Poland)
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091098 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
The study aims to identify long-term trends in the changes of drought occurrences using the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and the Theil-Sen estimator. Trend research was carried out on the example of the catchment area of the Upper Noteć River, which covers an agricultural
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The study aims to identify long-term trends in the changes of drought occurrences using the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and the Theil-Sen estimator. Trend research was carried out on the example of the catchment area of the Upper Noteć River, which covers an agricultural area of Poland with some of the lowest water reserves. The meteorological droughts were identified based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), while the hydrological droughts were determined on the basis of the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) in various time scales (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) in the period of 1981–2016. The relationship between SPI and SRI was determined on the basis of the Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that statistically significant trends (at the significance level of 0.05) were identified at 3 out of 8 meteorological stations (downward trend at Kłodawa station and upward trend for drought at Sompolno and Kołuda Wielka stations). Statistically significant hydrological droughts showed an increase in occurrences at the Łysek station, while a downward trend was noted at the Noć Kalina station. No trend was found at the Pakość station. The analysis of the correlation between meteorological and hydrological droughts showed a strong relationship in dry years. The maximum correlation coefficient was identified in longer accumulation periods i.e., 6 and 9 months. The example of the catchment of the Upper Noteć River points to the necessity of using several indicators in order to assess the actual condition of the water reserves.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Risk Management in Reflect Changing of Meteorological Conditions)
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Open AccessArticle
The Impact of COVID-19 Confinement Measures on the Air Quality in an Urban-Industrial Area of Portugal
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091097 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study evaluated the temporal variability of the concentrations of pollutants (namely, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10 and SO2) in an urban-industrial area of mainland Portugal during two decades (from 2001 to 2020), to assess
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This study evaluated the temporal variability of the concentrations of pollutants (namely, NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10 and SO2) in an urban-industrial area of mainland Portugal during two decades (from 2001 to 2020), to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of these atmospheric pollutants. Mean levels of pollutants in 2020 were compared with those measured in the six previous years (2014–2019). A significant improvement in air quality, namely regarding PM10 and NO2, was found and it can be attributable to the restrictions of anthropogenic activities (such as traffic) promoted during the March–May 2020 national lockdown that occurred due to the pandemic. Significant and expressive reductions of 44.0% and 40.3% were found in April 2020 for NO2 and PM10, respectively, showing the impact of local traffic in the study area. A similar trend of reduction for these pollutants was also found in the following months. However, ozone levels did not show the same trend, with significant increases in several months after the lockdown period, highlighting other contributions to this pollutant. This unique period can be considered as a living lab, where the implementation of strict measures due to COVID-19 confinement promoted the reduction of anthropogenic activities and allowed us to understand more comprehensively their impact on local air quality.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantifying the Impact of COVID-19 on Air Pollutant Emissions, Air Quality, and Climate Change)
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Open AccessArticle
Children Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) and PM1 in Kindergartens during Winter and Spring Seasons
by
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091096 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study evaluates the health risks related to heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn, and metalloid As) in the indoor dust samples of total suspended particles (TSP) and particles with diameter <1 μm (PM1). The
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This study evaluates the health risks related to heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn, and metalloid As) in the indoor dust samples of total suspended particles (TSP) and particles with diameter <1 μm (PM1). The samples were collected during 5-day periods during the spring and winter seasons in the Upper Silesia region, Poland. The highest concentration among determined trace elements revealed Fe. The greatest concern expressed the concentration of carcinogenic Cd in PM1 (from 6.7 to 9.7 ng/m3), exceeding the permissible value 5 ng/m3 (for PM10). The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks were assessed for three exposure pathways (inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact) for preschool children. None of the single trace elements obtained the Hazard Quotient Index (HQ > 1) or carcinogenic risks above the upper acceptable limit (1 × 10−4). However, the cumulative HQ values (ΣHQ) for three exposure pathways were greater than the safe level. The highest cumulative non-carcinogenic risk presented the TSP in rural kindergartens (2.0 × 10−4). In the same location as the TSP, the highest carcinogenic risk was also observed (9.1 × 10−4). High carcinogenic risks (>10−4) were found for the ingestion pathway of TSP inside urban and rural kindergartens and of PM1 in urban ones. A comparative evaluation shows that the health risks of trace elements in airborne particles in Polish kindergartens bring high risk.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Air Pollution and Human Health)
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Open AccessArticle
Characterization of Turbulence in the Neutral and Stable Surface Layer at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1095; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091095 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
The availability of 5-year time series of velocity and temperature data from two sonic anemometers installed at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica, allowed a systematic investigation of the turbulence features in a stable layer affected by submeso motions and characterized by the vertical divergence
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The availability of 5-year time series of velocity and temperature data from two sonic anemometers installed at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica, allowed a systematic investigation of the turbulence features in a stable layer affected by submeso motions and characterized by the vertical divergence of some second-order moments for a large fraction of time (quite a non-ideal surface layer). The investigation of the effect of the averaging time interval on the statistics of the second-order moments showed that this is greater for the variances of the velocity components with respect to that for the vertical fluxes. This corresponds to a greater contribution from low-frequency motions. The turbulence statistics were investigated and compared with current literature results in terms of vertical structure, share of energy between horizontal and vertical components, skewness of the vertical velocity and turbulent velocities. As a general result, all the normalized second-order moments show a clear change passing from neutral to stable conditions, passing through the range of bulk Richardson number equal to 0.1–1.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Stable Boundary Layer: Observations and Modeling)
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Open AccessArticle
The Role of the Indian Ocean Basin-Wide and El Niño–Southern Oscillation Modes in Interannual Rainfall Variability over South America during Austral Summer
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091094 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
This paper examines the relative role of the Indian Ocean basin-wide (IOBW) mode and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the atmospheric circulation and rainfall interannual variations over South America (SA) during southern summer of the 1951‒2016 period. The effects of the warm IOBW
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This paper examines the relative role of the Indian Ocean basin-wide (IOBW) mode and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the atmospheric circulation and rainfall interannual variations over South America (SA) during southern summer of the 1951‒2016 period. The effects of the warm IOBW and El Niño (EN) events, and of the cold IOBW and La Niña (LN) events are examined using partial correlations. The ENSO and IOBW modes, through the associated large-scale and regional anomalous circulation patterns, induce contrasting effects on the rainfall in northeastern SA. The EN without the warm IOBW effect induces anomalously dry conditions over eastern Amazon and part of northeastern Brazil (NEB) through anomalous sinking motions of the EN-related anomalous Walker and Hadley cells and strong moisture divergence associated with a vigorous anticyclone over tropical South Atlantic (TSA) and SA. The warm IOBW without the EN effect induces anomalously wet conditions in NEB, which is marginally related to the anomalous Walker and Hadley cells but is modulated by an anticyclone over SA between the equator and 20° S, and a cyclone in the southwestern Atlantic between 20° S and 40° S. The results here might be relevant for climate monitoring and modeling studies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue ENSO: Dynamics, Predictability, Modelling and Teleconnection)
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Open AccessArticle
Sporadic E Layer with a Structure of Double Cusp in the Vertical Sounding Ionogram
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1093; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091093 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed a large number of vertical sounding ionograms, obtained by the mid-latitude Cyclone ionosonde (55.85° N; 48.8° E) of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, which operates in a rapid-run mode of ionograms (1 ionogram per minute). Ionograms with a
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In this study, we analyzed a large number of vertical sounding ionograms, obtained by the mid-latitude Cyclone ionosonde (55.85° N; 48.8° E) of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, which operates in a rapid-run mode of ionograms (1 ionogram per minute). Ionograms with a sporadic E layer type c, which have an unusual double cusp on the trace from the sporadic layer, were found among them. We attempted to simulate this unusual double cusp trace shape. Model calculations were performed to clarify the reasons for the appearance of the double cusp and to determine the shape of the lower part of the E and Es layers. The simulation was performed by fitting the profile of the electron densities of the E and Es layers, calculating the virtual reflection heights based on the refractive index using the Appleton-Hartree formula, and comparing them with the virtual heights of the layers on the ionogram. An estimate of the half-thickness of the lower part of the Es-layer was obtained. The possible reasons for the appearance of a trace with a double cusp of the Es layer are discussed. We assumed that the possible reasons for this phenomenon were the stratification of the E layer, and the interaction between the E and F layers in the form of descending or intermediate layers and atmospheric wave propagation. As an illustration of these phenomena, examples of an intermediate (descending) sporadic E layer and stratification of the E region and the Es layer are given according to observations of the lower ionosphere. These examples were obtained through the resonant scattering of probe radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities (API technique) of the ionospheric plasma, performed on the SURA mid-latitude heating facility (56.1° N; 46.1° E). The scattering of probe radio waves on the APIs generated by the heating facility made it possible to study various phenomena in the Earth’s ionosphere.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere: New Diagnostic Methods and Recent Observations II)
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Vertical Distribution of Aerosols during Deep-Convective Event in the Himalaya Using WRF-Chem Model at Convection Permitting Scale
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091092 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
The Himalayan region is facing frequent cloud bursts and flood events during the summer monsoon season. The Kedarnath flooding of 2013 was one of the most devastating recent events, which claimed thousands of human lives, heavy infrastructure, and economic losses. Previous research reported
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The Himalayan region is facing frequent cloud bursts and flood events during the summer monsoon season. The Kedarnath flooding of 2013 was one of the most devastating recent events, which claimed thousands of human lives, heavy infrastructure, and economic losses. Previous research reported that the combination of fast-moving monsoon, pre-existing westerlies, and orographic uplifting were the major reasons for the observed cloud burst over Kedarnath. Our study illustrates the vertical distribution of aerosols during this event and its possible role using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) simulations. Model performance evaluation shows that simulations can capture the spatial and temporal patterns of observed precipitation during this event. Model simulation at 25 km and 4 km horizontal grid resolution, without any changes in physical parameterization, shows a very minimal difference in precipitation. Simulation at convection-permitting scale shows detailed information related to parcel motion compared to coarser resolution. This indicates that the parameterization at different resolutions needs to be further examined for a better outcome. The modeled result shows changes of up to 20–50% in the rainfall over the area near Kedarnath due to the presence of aerosols. Simulation at both resolutions shows the significant vertical transport of natural (increases by 50%+) and anthropogenic aerosols (increases by 200%+) during the convective event, which leads to significant changes in cloud properties, rain concentration, and ice concentration in the presence of these aerosols. Simulations can detect changes in important instability indices such as convective available potential energy (CAPE), convective inhibition energy (CIN), vorticity, etc., near Kedarnath due to aerosol–radiation feedback.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue High Performance Computing Serving Atmospheric Transport & Dispersion Modelling)
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