Atmosphere

15 pages, 3250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Climate Comfort and Population Exposure in Guangdong Province in the Last Half Century

by Ziqiang Ye, Song Song and Runfei Zhong

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030502 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2828

Abstract

The regional climatic comfort index (CCI) deteriorated significantly due to climate change and anthropogenic interference. Knowledge, regarding the long-term temporal dynamics of the CCI in typical regions, should be strengthened. In this study, we analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of [...] Read more.

The regional climatic comfort index (CCI) deteriorated significantly due to climate change and anthropogenic interference. Knowledge, regarding the long-term temporal dynamics of the CCI in typical regions, should be strengthened. In this study, we analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of CCI from 1969 to 2018 in Guangdong Province, based on a number of meteorological indicators. Additionally, the population exposure to climate unconformity was examined since 1990 with the help of population data. Our study found that: (1) the warming and humidifying of the summer climate served as the main driving force for the continuous deterioration of the CCI, with comfortable days decreased by 1.06 day/10 year and the extremely muggy days increased by 2.83 day/10 year; (2) spatially, the lowest climate comfortability concentrated in southwestern Guangdong with more than 50 uncomfortable days each year, while the climate comfortability in northeastern Guangdong tends to deteriorate with a higher rate, which can reach as high as 6 day/10 year; (3) in summer, the population exposure to uncomfortable climate highly centralized in the Pearl River Delta, Shantou, Jieyang, and the surrounding areas, and both area and population exposure showed increasing trends. Particularly, Shenzhen held the highest growth rate of population exposure with an increased rate of 2.94 million/10 year; (4) although the discomfort distribution and deterioration rate vary across the province, the spatial heterogeneity of comfortability is diminishing in Guangdong Province. This study will provide a scientific reference in areas of regional urban planning, thermal environment improvement, local resident health risk analysis, and key strategy implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biometeorology and Bioclimatology)

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16 pages, 4921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Characteristics of Aerosol Radiative Forcing under Complex Pollution Conditions in Beijing

by Qianjun Mao and Hui Wan

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030501 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2390

Abstract

Aerosol radiative effects usually have a heating effect on the atmosphere and a cooling effect on the surface, and they are also important uncertainty factors that cause climate change. Based on the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Aerosol Optical Properties Observation Network (AERONET), [...] Read more.

Aerosol radiative effects usually have a heating effect on the atmosphere and a cooling effect on the surface, and they are also important uncertainty factors that cause climate change. Based on the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Aerosol Optical Properties Observation Network (AERONET), a study on the distribution characteristics of aerosol optical depth (AOD) in Beijing was developed, and a method to calculate the regional aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) was improved. ADRF was calculated for Beijing by inputting aerosol optical parameters and surface parameters based on this method. The results show that the MODIS AOD and AERONET AOD both reached the correlation coefficient of 0.9 at 412 nm, 470 nm and 660 nm. Additionally, the correlation coefficient of ADRF as calculated by SBDART reached 0.8 through verification with AERONET ADRF. In addition, the ADRF of the atmosphere (ATM) under different degrees of pollution in Beijing was also calculated; the results indicate that the aerosol radiative effect becomes more obvious with higher pollution degrees. Finally, the interaction between the relevant factors (relative humidity, lower troposphere stability and wind speed) and the aerosol radiative effect was analyzed. Studies have found that the aerosol radiative effect influences the occurrence and continuation of pollution and provides a supporting basis for preventing the occurrence of pollution and predicting the climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Control in China: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives)

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17 pages, 5095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Technology for the Analysis and Forecasting of Precipitation Using Cyclostationary EOF and Regression Method

by Mingdong Sun, Gwangseob Kim, Kun Lei and Yan Wang

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030500 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2386

Abstract

Precipitation time series exhibit complex fluctuations and statistical changes. Existing research stops short of a simple and feasible model for precipitation forecasting. In this article, the authors investigate and forecast precipitation variations in South Korea from 1973 to 2021 using cyclostationary empirical orthogonal [...] Read more.

Precipitation time series exhibit complex fluctuations and statistical changes. Existing research stops short of a simple and feasible model for precipitation forecasting. In this article, the authors investigate and forecast precipitation variations in South Korea from 1973 to 2021 using cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function (CSEOF) and regression methods. First, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and CSEOF analyses are used to examine the periodic changes in the precipitation data. Then, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method is applied to the principal component (PC) time series derived from the EOF and CSEOF precipitation analyses. The fifteen leading EOF and CSEOF modes and their corresponding PC time series clearly reflect the spatial distribution and temporal evolution characteristics of the precipitation data. Based on the PC forecasts of the EOF and CSEOF models, the EOF–ARIMA composite model and CSEOF–ARIMA composite model are used to obtain quantitative precipitation forecasts. The comparison results show that both composite models have good performance and similar accuracy. However, the performance of the CSEOF–ARIMA model is better than that of the EOF–ARIMA model under various measurements. Therefore, the CSEOF–ARIMA composite forecast model can be considered an efficient and feasible technology representing an analytical approach for precipitation forecasting in South Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Statistical Techniques to Advance Weather Forecasting and Impact Modeling)

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22 pages, 3153 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Wavelet Methods in the Investigation of Geospace Disturbances: A Review and an Evaluation of the Approach for Quantifying Wavelet Power

by Christos Katsavrias, Constantinos Papadimitriou, Alexandros Hillaris and Georgios Balasis

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030499 - 20 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3893

Abstract

Geospace disturbances refer collectively to the variations of the geomagnetic field and the trapped particle populations in the near-Earth space. These are the result of transient and recurrent solar activity, which consequently drives the variable solar wind. They may appear in multiple timescales, [...] Read more.

Geospace disturbances refer collectively to the variations of the geomagnetic field and the trapped particle populations in the near-Earth space. These are the result of transient and recurrent solar activity, which consequently drives the variable solar wind. They may appear in multiple timescales, from sub-seconds to days, months and years. Wavelet analysis is one of the most popular, and powerful, methods in the study of these variations, as it allows for the local decomposition of non-stationary time series in frequency (or time-scale) and time simultaneously. This article is a review of the wavelet methods used in the investigation of geomagnetic field oscillations, which underlines their advantages as spectral analysis methods and demonstrates their utilization in the interdependence of multiple time-series. Lastly, the proper methodology for the accurate estimation of the power inferred from geophysical signals, applicable in quantitative studies, is included and is publicly available at the database of the University of Athens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Helio-Geomagnetic Activity in the Geo-Environment and by Extension to Human Health)

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18 pages, 1766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trend Analysis of U. S. Tornado Activity Frequency

by Zuohao Cao and Huaqing Cai

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030498 - 20 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3920

Abstract

As one of the most severe and high-impact weather phenomena, tornadoes and their long-term frequency trends have received lots of attention from both the scientific community and the public. Here, we show that over the last six decades (1954–2018), U.S. (E)F1 tornadoes have [...] Read more.

As one of the most severe and high-impact weather phenomena, tornadoes and their long-term frequency trends have received lots of attention from both the scientific community and the public. Here, we show that over the last six decades (1954–2018), U.S. (E)F1 tornadoes have a statistically significant upward trend but (E)F2–E)F4 tornadoes have statistically significant downward trends based on both solid trend analyses of three independent methods and robust verifications of reported tornado data using a recently developed approach called sample generation by replacement (SGR). Furthermore, we develop a statistical framework to quantitatively explain two-way interconnections between long-term climate trends and internal variabilities. With the support of quantile–quantile plots, we find that a large positive trend of U.S. (E)F1 tornadoes over the last six decades statistically results from a small internal variability of (E)F1 tornado activities. The long-term trends of U.S. (E)F2–(E)F4 tornadoes are also inversely proportional to their internal variabilities, as anticipated by the two-way interconnection theory developed in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climatology)

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17 pages, 5515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Source Discovery of Wintertime Fog on Coastal Island, Bangladesh

by Kamrun Nahar, Samiha Nahian, Farah Jeba, Md Safiqul Islam, Md Safiur Rahman, Tasrina Rabia Choudhury, Konica Jannat Fatema and Abdus Salam

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030497 - 19 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3696

Abstract

An extensive chemical investigation of fog water’s chemical composition, as well as source characterization, were carried out during the winter season (December to February) at an outflow location (Bhola, Bangladesh) of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Characterization of the source involved correlational analysis, enrichment [...] Read more.

An extensive chemical investigation of fog water’s chemical composition, as well as source characterization, were carried out during the winter season (December to February) at an outflow location (Bhola, Bangladesh) of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). Characterization of the source involved correlational analysis, enrichment factor analysis, estimation of percentage sources, and air mass trajectory analysis. The average pH of fog water in Bhola was found to be 7.03 ± 0.02, demonstrating that acid-neutralizing components were successful in neutralizing acidifying species. The concentrations of the water-soluble ions were determined, and they were in the following order: Ca²⁺ > NO₃⁻ > Cl⁻ > Na⁺ > SO₄²⁻ > NH₄⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ > F⁻ > HCO₃⁻. Of the six trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb) that were analyzed, Zn ions were found in the highest concentration, followed by Mn ions. Neutralization factor analysis showed that the key neutralization components of fog-water were Ca²⁺ and NH₄⁺. Enrichment factor (EF) calculation revealed the anthropogenic origin of NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, Zn, Mn, and Cu. The percentage source contributions of NO₃⁻ (99.74%), SO₄²⁻ (84.02%), and Cl⁻ (8.30%) further support the anthropogenic origin. Backward air mass trajectory analysis was performed using the NOAA-HYSPLIT model. Long-range transport of contaminants over the IGP area was found to have a profound impact on the chemical composition of fog on the Bhola coast. This research has provided novel findings for the chemical characterization of fog water and the detection of its source at IGP outflow, and highlighted the anthropogenic contributions to local air pollution, as well as the transboundary influence on local air quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)

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10 pages, 2342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Decomposition of Trend and Interdecadal Variation of Evaporation over the Tropical Indian Ocean in ERA5

by Bicheng Huang, Tao Su, Zengping Zhang, Yongping Wu and Guolin Feng

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030496 - 19 Mar 2022

Viewed by 2089

Abstract

Based on ERA5 from 1980 to 2018, we compare and analyze the trend and interdecadal variation of evaporation anomalies over the tropical Indian Ocean by the evaporation decomposition method. This method mainly decomposes the evaporation anomalies into the Newtonian cooling, stability, relative humidity, [...] Read more.

Based on ERA5 from 1980 to 2018, we compare and analyze the trend and interdecadal variation of evaporation anomalies over the tropical Indian Ocean by the evaporation decomposition method. This method mainly decomposes the evaporation anomalies into the Newtonian cooling, stability, relative humidity, wind speed, and transfer coefficient terms. The annual mean evaporation anomalies show an increasing trend (0.083 mm/d/decade). The Newtonian cooling term (0.026 mm/d/decade), the relative humidity term (0.032 mm/d/decade), and the wind speed term (0.026 mm/d/decade) play a major role in the increasing trend. The interdecadal variation of evaporation anomalies shows decreases in the 1980s and after the early 2000s, and an increase in the 1990s. The decreased evaporation anomalies in the 1980s are affected by the transfer coefficient term, which is associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The increased evaporation anomalies in the 1990s and the decreased evaporation anomalies since the early 2000s are largely controlled by the wind speed term, which are dominated by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may have important impacts on the interdecadal increase of evaporation anomalies by affecting the wind speed in the 1990s. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Climate Change: Recent Trends, Current Progress and Future Directions)

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17 pages, 8510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Verification by Multiple Methods of Precipitation Forecast from HDRFFGS and SisPI Tools during the Impact of the Tropical Storm Isaias over the Dominican Republic

by Maibys Sierra-Lorenzo, Jose Medina, Juana Sille, Adrián Fuentes-Barrios, Shallys Alfonso-Águila and Tania Gascon

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030495 - 19 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2199

Abstract

During 2020, the Dominican Republic received the impact of several tropical organisms. Among those that generated the greatest losses in the country, tropical storm Isaias stands out because of the significant precipitation (327.6 mm at Sabana del Mar during 29–31 July 2020) and [...] Read more.

During 2020, the Dominican Republic received the impact of several tropical organisms. Among those that generated the greatest losses in the country, tropical storm Isaias stands out because of the significant precipitation (327.6 mm at Sabana del Mar during 29–31 July 2020) and flooding it caused. The study analyzes the behavior of the products of the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) and the Nowcasting and Very Short Range Prediction System (Spanish acronym SisPI) for the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) of the precipitation generated by Isaias on 30 July 2020 over the Dominican Republic. Traditional categorical verification and featured-based spatial verification methods are used in the study, taking as observation the quantitative precipitation estimation of GPM. The results show that both numerical weather prediction systems are powerful tools for QPF and also to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of disasters caused by the extreme hydro-meteorological event analyzed. For the forecast of rain occurrence, the HIRESW-NMMB product of FFGS presented the highest ability with a CSI greater than 0.4. The HIRESW-ARW and SisPI products not only presented high rates of false alarms but also performed better in forecasting heavy rain values. The results of the verification based on objects with the MODE are consistent with those obtained in the verification by categories. The HIRESW-NMMB product underestimated the intense rainfall values by approximately 60 mm, while HIRESW-ARW and SisPI tools presented minor differences, the latter being the one with the greatest skill. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Atmospheric Sciences)

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13 pages, 4748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Classification of Urban Pollution Levels Based on Clustering and Spatial Statistics

by Ziyi Xu, Zhixin Liu, Jiawei Tian, Yan Liu, Hongling Pan, Shan Liu, Bo Yang, Lirong Yin and Wenfeng Zheng

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030494 - 19 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2392

Abstract

In recent years, the occurrence and frequency of haze are constantly increasing, severely threatening people’s daily lives and health and bringing enormous losses to the economy. To this end, we used cluster analysis and spatial autocorrelation methods to discuss the spatial and temporal [...] Read more.

In recent years, the occurrence and frequency of haze are constantly increasing, severely threatening people’s daily lives and health and bringing enormous losses to the economy. To this end, we used cluster analysis and spatial autocorrelation methods to discuss the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of severe haze in China and to classify regions of China. Furthermore, we analyzed the interaction between haze pollution and the influence of economy and energy structure in 31 provinces in China, providing references for the prevention and treatment of haze pollution. The processed data mainly include API, meteorological station data, and PM 2.5 concentration distribution vector graph. The results show the yearly haze pattern from 2008 to 2012, and present a strong pattern of pollution concentrated around Beijing–Tianjin, the Yangtze River Delta, southwest China, and central China. The overall spatial pattern of decreasing from north to south is relatively constant over the study period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Mitigation of PM2.5 and Surface Ozone Pollution)

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23 pages, 9914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Saharan Dust Storm Aerosol Characterization of the Event (9 to 13 May 2020) over European AERONET Sites

by Silvia Garofalide, Cristina Postolachi, Alexandru Cocean, Georgiana Cocean, Iuliana Motrescu, Iuliana Cocean, Bogdanel Silvestru Munteanu, Marius Prelipceanu, Silviu Gurlui and Liviu Leontie

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030493 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3688

Abstract

This research was aimed at investigating the Saharan dust cloud recorded on 11 and 12 May 2020, by AERONET AOD stations in Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania and determining whether it affected the area of the Republic of Moldova. During this [...] Read more.

This research was aimed at investigating the Saharan dust cloud recorded on 11 and 12 May 2020, by AERONET AOD stations in Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania and determining whether it affected the area of the Republic of Moldova. During this period, the Chisinau AERONET monitoring site was not operational. The incentive for the investigation was the discovery of a high sediment load in rainwater collected on 12 May 2020 in Pelinia, a village in the Dochia district of the Republic of Moldova, in the southeastern part of Europe (47.8780 latitude, 27.8344 longitude), which could have originated from the Saharan dust storm. Backward trajectory analysis with NOAA’s HYSPLIT model confirmed that the Saharan dust storm impacted the village of Pelinia. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of Pelinia rainwater sediments confirmed the chemical composition and morphological structure of Saharan dust particles. The particle size of the sediments matched the measurements at the AOD stations at Timisoara and Magurele, supporting the suggestion that Saharan dust probably entered the Republic of Moldova from Romania. FTIR analysis identified chemical compounds such as carbon dioxide, carbonates, sulfates, ferrocyanides, and organics (amines, amides, polypeptides, imines, oximes, pyrroles, aldehydes, sulfoxides, sulfones, nitro-derivatives) that were adsorbed and/or absorbed from the atmosphere, consistent with Saharan dust aerosols. Bio-allergens such as pollen were detected in the SEM images, showing the role of Saharan dust in transporting and spreading this kind of biological material. This study highlights the risk of Saharan dust clouds to humans, animals, and plants, but also its potential benefits for agriculture when suitable conditions are met in this regard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aerosols)

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35 pages, 18896 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adopting a Whole Systems Approach to Transport Decarbonisation, Air Quality and Health: An Online Participatory Systems Mapping Case Study in the UK

by Alexandra S. Penn, Suzanne E. Bartington, Sarah J. Moller, Ian Hamilton, James G. Levine, Kirstie Hatcher and Nigel Gilbert

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030492 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7948

Abstract

In a drive to achieve net zero emissions, U.K. transport decarbonisation policies are predominantly focussed on measures to promote the uptake and use of electric vehicles (EVs). This is reflected in the COP26 Transport Declaration signed by 38 national governments, alongside city region [...] Read more.

In a drive to achieve net zero emissions, U.K. transport decarbonisation policies are predominantly focussed on measures to promote the uptake and use of electric vehicles (EVs). This is reflected in the COP26 Transport Declaration signed by 38 national governments, alongside city region governments, vehicle manufacturers and investors. However, emerging evidence suggests that EVs present multiple challenges for air quality, mobility and health, including risks from non-exhaust emissions (NEEs) and increasing reliance on vehicles for short trips. Understanding the interconnected links between electric mobility, human health and the environment, including synergies and trade-offs, requires a whole systems approach to transport policymaking. In the present paper, we describe the use of Participatory Systems Mapping (PSM) in which a diverse group of stakeholders collaboratively constructed a causal model of the U.K. surface transport system through a series of interactive online workshops. We present the map and its analysis, with our findings illustrating how unintended consequences of EV-focussed transport policies may have an impact on air quality, human health and important social functions of the transport system. We conclude by considering how online participatory causal modelling techniques could be effectively integrated with empirical metrics to facilitate effective policy design and appraisal in the transport sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Transport Systems on Air Pollution and Human Health)

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21 pages, 12294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison between Air Temperature and Land Surface Temperature for the City of São Paulo, Brazil

by Augusto Cezar Lima do Nascimento, Emerson Galvani, João Paulo Assis Gobo and Cássio Arthur Wollmann

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030491 - 18 Mar 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 11785

Abstract

This study aims to identify the relationship between changes in temperature regarding urbanization processes and seasonality in the city of São Paulo, located in the Tropic of Capricorn. The land surface temperature (LST) results were compared to official weather stations measurements, identifying in [...] Read more.

This study aims to identify the relationship between changes in temperature regarding urbanization processes and seasonality in the city of São Paulo, located in the Tropic of Capricorn. The land surface temperature (LST) results were compared to official weather stations measurements, identifying in the spring–summer period 65.5% to 86.2% accuracy, while in the autumn–winter period, the results ranged from 58.6% to 93.1% accuracy, when considering the standard deviation and the temperature probe error. The mean MAE and mean RMSE range from 1.2 to 1.9 °C, with 83.0% of the values being ≤2.7 °C, and the coefficient of determination values are R = 0.81 in spring–summer and R = 0.82 in autumn–winter. Great thermal amplitude was estimated in the spring–summer season, with a difference in LST of the built-up space and rural area ranging from 5.8 and 11.5 °C, while in the autumn–winter season, the LST is more distributed through the city, with differences ranging from 4.4 to 8.5 °C. In addition, the current study suggests remote sensing as a reliable, cheap, and practical methodology to assist climate in order to support public policies and decision-making actions regarding environmental and urban planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement of Urban Heat Island Studies)

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132 pages, 2076 KiB

Open AccessReview

Particulate Matter in Swine Barns: A Comprehensive Review

by Xufei Yang, Noor Haleem, Augustina Osabutey, Zhisheng Cen, Karlee L. Albert and Daniel Autenrieth

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030490 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5563

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) represents an air quality management challenge for confined swine production systems. Due to the limited space and ventilation rate, PM can reach relatively high concentrations in swine barns. PM in swine barns possesses different physical, chemical, and biological characteristics than [...] Read more.

Particulate matter (PM) represents an air quality management challenge for confined swine production systems. Due to the limited space and ventilation rate, PM can reach relatively high concentrations in swine barns. PM in swine barns possesses different physical, chemical, and biological characteristics than that in the atmosphere and other indoor environments. As a result, it exerts different environmental and health effects and creates some unique challenges regarding PM measurement and mitigation. Numerous research efforts have been made, generating massive data and information. However, relevant review reports are sporadic. This study aims to provide an updated comprehensive review of swine barn PM, focusing on publications since 1990. It covers various topics including PM characteristics, sources, measurement methods, and in-barn mitigation technologies. As PM in swine barns is primarily of biological origins, bioaerosols are reviewed in great detail. Relevant topics include bacterial/fungal counts, viruses, microbial community composition, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes, endotoxins, and (1→3)-β-D-glucans. For each topic, existing knowledge is summarized and discussed and knowledge gaps are identified. Overall, PM in swine barns is complicated in chemical and biological composition and highly variable in mass concentrations, size, and microbial abundance. Feed, feces, and skins constitute the major PM sources. Regarding in-barn PM mitigation, four technologies (oil/water sprinkling, ionization, alternation of feed and feeders, and recirculating air filtration) are dominant. However, none of them have been widely used in commercial barns. A collective discussion of major knowledge gaps and future research needs is offered at the end of the report. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Assessing Indoor Pollution and Its Impacts on the Human Health)

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21 pages, 11087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Quadrant Analysis for Large-Scale Events Detection in Turbulent Transport

by Ye Wang, Baomin Wang, Changxing Lan, Renzhi Fang, Baofeng Zheng, Jieying Lu and Dan Zheng

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030489 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2711

Abstract

Quadrant analysis has been widely used to investigate the turbulent characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Although quadrant analysis can identify turbulent structures that contribute significantly to turbulent fluxes, the approach to the hyperbolic hole and its parameter, referred to as hole [...] Read more.

Quadrant analysis has been widely used to investigate the turbulent characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Although quadrant analysis can identify turbulent structures that contribute significantly to turbulent fluxes, the approach to the hyperbolic hole and its parameter, referred to as hole size, remains uncertain and varies among different studies. This study discusses an improved quadrant analysis with an objective definition of the hole size for the isolation of large coherent structures from small-scale background fluctuations. Eddy covariance data collected 50 m above the grass canopy were used to analyze and evaluate the proposed method. This improved quadrant analysis ensures that the detected large coherent eddies play a dominant role in transporting fluxes, occupying 10% of the total time, with mean flux contributions ranging from 62% to 95% for momentum and 35–104% for scalars. The separated background small-scale eddies are isotropically characterized by a comparable time duration and flux contributions in each quadrant. It is observed that under an unstable atmosphere, large-scale ejections are more active than sweeps, while under stable conditions, they are equally important. Furthermore, mechanical-driven transport under near-neutral conditions only enhances ejection and sweep motions of momentum. In contrast, the buoyancy-driven scenarios under unstable conditions enhance the large-scale activities of sensible heat alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)

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16 pages, 4124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Bioaccessibility and Health Risks of Toxic Metals in Roadside Dust of Dhaka City, Bangladesh

by Md Humayun Kabir, Qingyue Wang, Md Harun Rashid, Weiqian Wang and Yugo Isobe

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030488 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2672

Abstract

Spatial variations in the bioaccessibility and health risks induced by chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in roadside dust from different land-use areas, i.e., commercial areas (CA), planned residential areas (PRA), spontaneous [...] Read more.

Spatial variations in the bioaccessibility and health risks induced by chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in roadside dust from different land-use areas, i.e., commercial areas (CA), planned residential areas (PRA), spontaneous residential areas (SRA) and urban green areas (UGA) in Dhaka city, Bangladesh, were investigated. An in vitro simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) method, which allows the simulation of the gastric (GP) and intestinal phases (IP) of human digestion, was applied to evaluate bioaccessibility and human health risk, assessed using United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) modelling. The average bioaccessible concentration of Zn was the highest in both the gastric (74.4–244.5 µg/g) and intestinal phases (74.4–244.5 µg/g) in all the land-use areas except UGA. The bioaccessibility percentages of Co and Cu in the IP phase and As in the GP phase were >40% for all the land-use categories. Carcinogenic (Cr, Ni, As and Pb) and non-carcinogenic human health risks were evaluated for the ingestion pathway, in both children and adults. The results suggest that there were no non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children exposed to roadside dust toxic metals, but the risk levels of roadside dust toxic metals in some sampling areas were high. The carcinogenic risks of Cr in SRA (for children) and Ni in CA (for both adults and children), PRA (for children) and UGA (for children) were found to be within a tolerable range of 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality and Health)

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17 pages, 12303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Management of a Mediterranean Forage/Cereal-Based Cropping System: An Ecosystem Service Multisectoral Analysis in the Perspective of Climate Change

by Matteo Francioni, Laura Trozzo, Nora Baldoni, Marco Toderi, Marco Bianchini, Ayaka Wenhong Kishimoto-Mo and Paride D’Ottavio

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030487 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2321

Abstract

Within Mediterranean cropping systems, legume forage crops that last up to 6 years or more (e.g., alfalfa) are replaced with cereal crops (e.g., wheat). The change from forage to cereal crops has negative climate and environmental impacts that must be addressed with mitigation [...] Read more.

Within Mediterranean cropping systems, legume forage crops that last up to 6 years or more (e.g., alfalfa) are replaced with cereal crops (e.g., wheat). The change from forage to cereal crops has negative climate and environmental impacts that must be addressed with mitigation actions. This study evaluated the synergies and tradeoffs between the ecosystem services provided by three management systems after forage legume. A field trial was set up from October 2017 to September 2019 on a 6-year-old alfalfa field subjected to the following management systems: (i) alfalfa termination followed by wheat for 2 years (WW, control); (ii) alfalfa termination followed by single amendment with 60 Mg ha⁻¹ recalcitrant biochar and then by wheat for 2 years (WW_B60); and (iii) extension of alfalfa for 2 years (A_EXT). A range of regulating, supporting, and provisioning ecosystem services were assessed during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The results highlight that WW_B60 can guarantee carbon sequestration without causing tradeoffs with other services, while A_EXT can enhance soil conservation while not increasing soil greenhouse gas emissions. Future policies should support the WW_B60 system if the goal is to increase the supporting services. Conversely, the A_EXT system should be used if the goal is to increase the regulating and provisioning services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation in Croplands)

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20 pages, 5285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing HYSPLIT Plume Dispersion Model Performance Using Regional Hydrocarbon Monitoring Data during a Gas Well Blowout

by Gunnar W. Schade and Mitchell L. Gregg

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030486 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3643

Abstract

A gas well blowout in south central Texas in November 2019 that lasted for 20 days provided a unique opportunity to test the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model’s plume dispersion against hydrocarbon air monitoring data at two nearby state monitoring stations. [...] Read more.

A gas well blowout in south central Texas in November 2019 that lasted for 20 days provided a unique opportunity to test the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model’s plume dispersion against hydrocarbon air monitoring data at two nearby state monitoring stations. We estimated daily blowout hydrocarbon emission rates from satellite measurement-based results on methane emissions in conjunction with previously reported composition data of the local hydrocarbon resource. Using highly elevated hydrocarbon mixing ratios observed during several days at the two downwind monitoring stations, we calculated excess abundances above expected local background mixing ratios. Subsequent comparisons to HYSPLIT plume dispersion model outputs, generated using High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) or North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast meteorological input data, showed that the model generally reproduces both the timing and magnitude of the plume in various meteorological conditions. Absolute hydrocarbon mixing ratios could typically be reproduced within a factor of two. However, when lower emission rate estimates provided by the company in charge of the well were used, downwind hydrocarbon observations could not be reproduced. Overall, our results suggest that HYSPLIT, in combination with high-resolution meteorological input data, is a useful tool to accurately forecast chemical plume dispersion and potential human exposure in disaster situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Atmosphere Science)

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16 pages, 8972 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

An Environmentally Friendly Technology of Metal Fiber Bag Filter to Purify Dust-Laden Airflow

by Mingxing Zhang, Wenqian Qin, Xiaohui Ma, Anxiong Liu, Cuiping Yan, Peng Li, Mei Huang and Chunhong He

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030485 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4423

Abstract

Over the past decades, China has suffered from negative environmental impacts from distempered dust-laden airflow-purification activities. After a decade of effort, dust-laden airflow purification and powder particle recycling have been realized in specialized companies in China, and law enforcement for illegal activities of [...] Read more.

Over the past decades, China has suffered from negative environmental impacts from distempered dust-laden airflow-purification activities. After a decade of effort, dust-laden airflow purification and powder particle recycling have been realized in specialized companies in China, and law enforcement for illegal activities of dust-laden airflow discharge has also been made increasingly strict. Thus, up to now, dust-laden airflow purification in China should be developed toward being more in-depth and refined to promote industrial applications of dust-laden airflow purification. This article reviews the status of existing technologies for dust-laden airflow purification. A novel and environmentally friendly technology for purifying the dust-laden airflow is proposed which uses a metal bag filter to collect dust particles. The bottlenecks in the dust-laden airflow-purification system are analyzed. Some preliminary experiments of pinch technologies are also conducted. Finally, in order to provide directional guidance for the future development of metal bag filters, some key points regarding the metal bag filter purification system are proposed to point towards a future trend in dust-laden airflow purification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Purification of Particulate Matter)

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18 pages, 6647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 in Central Italy: Application of Machine Learning Model to Segregate Anthropogenic from Natural Sources

by Carlo Colangeli, Sergio Palermi, Sebastiano Bianco, Eleonora Aruffo, Piero Chiacchiaretta and Piero Di Carlo

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030484 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3108

Abstract

Particular Matter (PM) data are the most used for the assessment of air quality, but it is also useful to monitor VOC and CO. The health impact of PM increases with decreasing aerodynamic dimensions, therefore most of the monitoring is aimed at PM10 [...] Read more.

Particular Matter (PM) data are the most used for the assessment of air quality, but it is also useful to monitor VOC and CO. The health impact of PM increases with decreasing aerodynamic dimensions, therefore most of the monitoring is aimed at PM10 (fraction of PM with aerodynamic dimensions smaller than 10 µm) and PM2.5 (fraction with aerodynamic dimensions lower than 2.5 µm). Generally, anthropogenic emissions contribute mainly to PM2.5 levels, whereas natural sources can largely affect PM10 concentrations. PM2.5/PM10 ratio can be used as a proxy of the origin (anthropogenic vs natural) of the PM, providing a useful indication about the main sources of PM that characterizes a specific geographical or urban setting. This paper presents the results of the analysis of continuous measurements of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at eight stations of the regional air quality monitoring network in Abruzzo (Central Italy), in the period 2017–2018. The application of models based on machine learning technique shows that PM2.5/PM10 ratio can be used to classify PM emissions and to know the nature of the emission source (natural and anthropogenic), under determinate conditions, and properly taking into account the meteorological parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Europe: Observation and Measurement of Concentration and Composition)

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20 pages, 6741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional VOCs Gathering Situation Intelligent Sensing Method Based on Spatial-Temporal Feature Selection

by Hongbin Dai, Guangqiu Huang, Jingjing Wang, Huibin Zeng and Fangyu Zhou

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030483 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2816

Abstract

As VOCs pose a threat to human health, it is important to accurately capture changes in VOCs concentrations and sense VOCs concentrations in relevant areas. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of VOCs concentration prediction and realise the VOCs aggregation situation [...] Read more.

As VOCs pose a threat to human health, it is important to accurately capture changes in VOCs concentrations and sense VOCs concentrations in relevant areas. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of VOCs concentration prediction and realise the VOCs aggregation situation sensing. Firstly, on the basis of regional grid division, the inverse distance spatial interpolation method is used for spatial interpolation to collect regional VOCs data information. Secondly, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is used for spatio-temporal feature selection, combined with graph convolutional neural network (GCN) to construct regional spatial relationships of VOCs, and multiple linear regression (MLR) to process VOCs time series data and predict the VOCs concentration in the grid. Finally, the aggregation potential values of VOCs are calculated based on the prediction results, and the potential perception results are visualised. A VOCs aggregation perception method based on concentration prediction is proposed, using the XGBoost-GCN-MLR method with a scenario-aware approach for VOCs to perceive the VOCs aggregation in the relevant region. VOCs concentration prediction and VOCs aggregation trend perception were carried out in Xi’an, Baoji, Tongchuan, Weinan and Xianyang. The results show that compared with the GCN model, XGBoost model, MLR model and GCN-MLR model, the XGBoost-GCN-MLR model reduces the input variables, achieves the optimisation of the input parameters of the VOCs concentration prediction model, reduces the complexity of the prediction model and improves the prediction accuracy. Intelligent sensing of VOCs aggregation can visualise the regional VOCs. The intelligent sensing of VOCs aggregation can visualise the development trend and status of regional VOCs aggregation and convey more information, which has practical value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rainwater Chemistry and Atmospheric Pollutants)

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21 pages, 7582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tree-Ring-Based Drought Reconstruction in Northern North China over the Past Century

by Yanchao Wang, Huifang Zhang, Hui Wang, Jingli Guo, Erliang Zhang, Jun Wang, Xiao Li, Haoliang Wei and Changliang Zhou

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030482 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2636

Abstract

A tree-ring width chronology was developed from the Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis) in northern North China. To acquire a long-term perspective on the history of droughts in this region, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) from August of the previous year [...] Read more.

A tree-ring width chronology was developed from the Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis) in northern North China. To acquire a long-term perspective on the history of droughts in this region, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) from August of the previous year to February of the current year was reconstructed for the period of 1903–2012 AD. The reconstruction explained 46.6% of the instrumental records over the calibration period of 1952–2012. Five dry periods (1916–1927, 1962–1973, 1978–1991, 1994–1999 and 2002–2005) and three wet periods (1908–1915, 1928–1961 and 1974–1977) were found in the reconstructed period, and most of the dry years (periods) in the reconstruction were supported by historical records. Comparisons between the reconstruction and other nearby dryness/wetness indices and precipitation reconstructions demonstrated a good repeatability and high reliability in our reconstruction. Spatial correlation implied that the reconstruction could represent regional hydroclimatic characteristics on a larger regional scale. Significant periodicities and correlations were observed between the reconstructed data and the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which suggested that the hydroclimatic variation in northern North China may be closely connected to remote oceans. The significant and high correlation between the reconstructed series and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial and Southeast Pacific Ocean indicated that ENSO may be the main factor influencing the regional climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)

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3 pages, 167 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Application of Homogenization Methods for Climate Records

by Peter Domonkos

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030481 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Climate research requires a large amount of fairly accurate observed climatic data [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Homogenization Methods for Climate Records)

16 pages, 1619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geomagnetic Storm Effect on F₂-Region Ionosphere during 2012 at Low- and Mid-Latitude-Latitude Stations in the Southern Hemisphere

by Edwin A. Kumar and Sushil Kumar

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030480 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2873

Abstract

The ionospheric effects of six intense geomagnetic storms with Dst index ≤ −100 nT that occurred in 2012 were studied at a low-latitude station, Darwin (Geomagnetic coordinates, 21.96° S, 202.84° E), a low-mid-latitude station, Townsville (28.95° S, 220.72° E), and a mid-latitude station, [...] Read more.

The ionospheric effects of six intense geomagnetic storms with Dst index ≤ −100 nT that occurred in 2012 were studied at a low-latitude station, Darwin (Geomagnetic coordinates, 21.96° S, 202.84° E), a low-mid-latitude station, Townsville (28.95° S, 220.72° E), and a mid-latitude station, Canberra (45.65° S, 226.30° E), in the Australian Region, by analyzing the storm–time variations in the critical frequency of the F₂-region (foF2). Out of six storms, a storm of 23–24 April did not produce any ionospheric effect. The storms of 30 September–3 October (minimum Dst = −122 nT) and 7–10 October (minimum Dst = −109 nT) are presented as case studies and the same analysis was done for the other four storms. The storm of 30 September–3 October, during its main phase, produced a positive ionospheric storm at all three stations with a maximum percentage increase in foF2 (∆foF2%) of 45.3% at Canberra whereas during the recovery phase it produced a negative ionospheric storm at all three stations with a maximum ∆foF2% of −63.5% at Canberra associated with a decrease in virtual height of the F-layer (h’F). The storm of 7–10 October produced a strong long-duration negative ionospheric storm associated with an increase in h’F during its recovery phase at all three stations with a maximum ∆foF2% of −65.1% at Townsville. The negative ionospheric storms with comparatively longer duration were more pronounced in comparison to positive storms and occurred only during the recovery phase of storms. The storm main phase showed positive ionospheric storms for two storms (14–15 July and 30 September–3 October) and other three storms did not produce any ionospheric storm at the low-latitude station indicating prompt penetrating electric fields (PPEFs) associated with these storms did not propagate to the low latitude. The positive ionospheric storms during the main phase are accounted to PPEFs affecting ionospheric equatorial E × B drifts and traveling ionospheric disturbances due to joule heating at the high latitudes. The ionospheric effects during the recovery phase are accounted to the disturbance dynamo electric fields and overshielding electric field affecting E × B drifts and the storm-induced circulation from high latitudes toward low latitudes leading to changes in the natural gas composition [O/N₂] ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ionospheric and Magnetic Signatures of Space Weather Events at Middle and Low Latitudes: Experimental Studies and Modelling)

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13 pages, 2690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neutron Activation Analysis of PM₁₀ for Air Quality of an Industrial Region in the Czech Republic: A Case Study

by Barbora Niedobová, Wael M. Badawy, Andrey Yu. Dmitriev, Petr Jančík, Olica E. Chepurchenko, Maksim V. Bulavin and Maria O. Belova

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030479 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2615

Abstract

This work was conducted to focus on pollutant transmission between Poland and Czechia at the most polluted area in the Czech Republic, the Moravian Silesian region. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine the mass fractions of [...] Read more.

This work was conducted to focus on pollutant transmission between Poland and Czechia at the most polluted area in the Czech Republic, the Moravian Silesian region. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine the mass fractions of inorganic air pollutants accumulated on filters. Particle matters of sizes smaller than 10 µm (PM₁₀) were collected using a high-volume sampler (SAM Hi 30 AUTO WIND). Pollutants PM₁₀ were collected on Whatman QM-A Quartz Microfiber Filters of 150 mm in diameter based on various wind conditions. These filters were irradiated by neutron flux at the experimental reactor IBR-2 at the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research in Dubna, RF. Irradiated samples were measured by gamma spectrometry techniques using HPGe detectors. In total, results are shown for 49 samples (from March to July 2021) and five field blank filters. The mass fractions of 24 elements (Sc, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Zn, Se, As, Br, Rb, Mo, Sb, Ba, Cs, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Hf, Au, Th, and U) were determined. The sources of pollution were specified using correlation and exploratory factor analyses and including meteorological conditions. A strong positive correlation was shown between the elements Cr, As, Br, Co, Fe, Sc, Se, Sm, Th, La, and Ce. Elemental exposure to PM₁₀ can be divided based on the factor loadings of common chemical components into three main pollution sources. According to the wind rose, the pollution came from the southeast/west direction; therefore, we can assume that the pollution most likely originated from the metallurgic complex (steel and iron production in the southeast, and a coking plant, metal foundry, and generation plant in the west). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Poland)

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7 pages, 1163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indoor Radon Monitoring in Kindergarten and Primary Schools in South Italy

by Filomena Loffredo, Irene Opoku-Ntim, Giovanni Meo and Maria Quarto

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030478 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2435

Abstract

Humans are mostly exposed to ionizing radiation through radon and its decay products. The results of indoor radon measurements in 39 kindergartens and primary schools in the Campania region of southern Italy are presented in this paper. The survey was carried out with [...] Read more.

Humans are mostly exposed to ionizing radiation through radon and its decay products. The results of indoor radon measurements in 39 kindergartens and primary schools in the Campania region of southern Italy are presented in this paper. The survey was carried out with CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). Radon concentrations were measured and ranged from 11 to 1416 Bq/m³, with a geometric mean of 77 Bq/m³ and a geometric standard deviation of 2. The findings revealed that 70% of the measures were below the WHO recommended level of 100 Bq/m³ and that 97 percent of the measurements were below the 300 Bq/m³ level set by Italian law. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Radioactivity Measurements, Control, Mitigation and Management: Human & Radiation)

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3 pages, 173 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Ionospheric Monitoring and Modelling for Space Weather: An Introduction to the Special Issue

by Ljiljana R. Cander and Bruno Zolesi

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030477 - 15 Mar 2022

Viewed by 2008

Abstract

Over the last decades, our scientific understanding and user’s community appreciation of the ionospheric space weather and its impacts on Earth’s environment, and some of the technological systems and human beings’ priority areas, have changed considerably [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ionospheric Monitoring and Modelling for Space Weather)

21 pages, 6868 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Downscaling Model Combined with the Geographically Weighted Regression and Multifractal Models for Monthly GPM/IMERG Precipitation in Hubei Province, China

by Xiaona Sun, Jingcheng Wang, Lunwu Zhang, Chenjia Ji, Wei Zhang and Wenkai Li

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030476 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2795

Abstract

High spatial resolution (1 km or finer) precipitation data fields are crucial for understanding the Earth’s water and energy cycles at the regional scale for applications. The spatial resolution of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission (IMERG) satellite precipitation products is 0.1° (latitude) [...] Read more.

High spatial resolution (1 km or finer) precipitation data fields are crucial for understanding the Earth’s water and energy cycles at the regional scale for applications. The spatial resolution of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission (IMERG) satellite precipitation products is 0.1° (latitude) × 0.1° (longitude), which is too coarse for regional-scale analysis. This study combined the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and the Multifractal Random Cascade (MFRC) model to downscale monthly GPM/IMERG precipitation products from 0.1° × 0.1° (approximately 11 km × 11 km) to 1 km in Hubei Province, China. This work’s results indicate the following: (1) The original GPM product can accurately express the precipitation in the study area, which highly correlates with the site data from 2015 to 2017 (R² = 0.79) and overall presents the phenomenon of overestimation. (2) The GWR model maintains the precipitation field’s overall accuracy and smoothness, with even improvements in accuracy for specific months. In contrast, the MFRC model causes a slight decrease in the overall accuracy of the precipitation field but performs better in reducing the bias. (3) The GWR-MF combined with the GWR and MFRC model improves the observation accuracy of the downscaling results and reduces the bias value by introducing the MFRC to correct the deviation of GWR. The conclusion and analysis of this paper can provide a meaningful experience for 1 km high-resolution data to support related applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances on Remote Sensing of Precipitation)

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13 pages, 4760 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Meteorological Analysis of the 2021 Extreme Wildfires in Greece: Lessons Learned and Implications for Early Warning of the Potential for Pyroconvection

by Theodore M. Giannaros, Georgios Papavasileiou, Konstantinos Lagouvardos, Vassiliki Kotroni, Stavros Dafis, Athanasios Karagiannidis and Eleni Dragozi

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030475 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6231

Abstract

The 2021 fire season in Greece was the worst of the past 13 years, resulting in more than 130,000 ha of burnt area, with about 70% consumed by five wildfires that ignited and spread in early August. Common to these wildfires was the [...] Read more.

The 2021 fire season in Greece was the worst of the past 13 years, resulting in more than 130,000 ha of burnt area, with about 70% consumed by five wildfires that ignited and spread in early August. Common to these wildfires was the occurrence of violent pyroconvection. This work presents a meteorological analysis of this outbreak of extreme pyroconvective wildfires. Our analysis shows that dry and warm antecedent weather preconditioned fuels in the fire-affected areas, creating a fire environment that alone could effectively support intense wildfire activity. Analysis of surface conditions revealed that the ignition and the most active spread of all wildfires coincided with the most adverse fire weather since the beginning of the fire season. Further, the atmospheric environment was conducive to violent pyroconvection, as atmospheric instability gradually increased amid the breakdown of an upper-air ridge ahead of an approaching long-wave trough. In summary, we highlight that the severity and extent of the 2021 Greek wildfires were not surprising considering the fire weather potential for the period when they ignited. Continuous monitoring of the large- and local-scale conditions that promote extreme fire behavior is imperative for improving Greece’s capacity for managing extreme wildfires. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire Meteorology: Observations and Modeling from Micro- to Meso- Scale)

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18 pages, 43177 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Impact of Intra-Seasonal Oscillation on Westward Track Deflection of Super Typhoon Fitow (2013)

by Xinxin Bi, Guanghua Chen and Weican Zhou

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030474 - 14 Mar 2022

Viewed by 2233

Abstract

Typhoon Fitow (2013) took an unusual westward track deflection after a lengthy northward movement over the western North Pacific (WNP). Based on observation and wave analysis, it is found that the track deflection of Fitow is attributed to the transition of environmental flow [...] Read more.

Typhoon Fitow (2013) took an unusual westward track deflection after a lengthy northward movement over the western North Pacific (WNP). Based on observation and wave analysis, it is found that the track deflection of Fitow is attributed to the transition of environmental flow from meridional to zonal orientation, which is closely associated with a low-frequency intra-seasonal oscillation (ISO). Furthermore, the impact of ISO on tropical cyclone (TC) unusual movement is investigated using the Advanced Research version of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) model. The control simulation (CTL) reproduces well the synoptic pattern and track deflection of the TC. The TC moves straightly westward and northwestward without track deflection in the sensitivity experiments with the removal of total ISOs and the west-propagating ISO component, while keeping the recurving track with the removal of east-propagating ISO, which suggests that the west-propagating ISO plays a dominant role in the westward track deflection. In the experiment of removing west-propagating ISOs, an anomalous southeast–northwest-oriented wave train around the TC is modified, the mid-latitude trough decays, and the enhanced zonally elongated subtropical high is responsible for the straight northwestward motion of the TC. However, after removing a weaker convection anomaly associated with east-propagating ISOs in the form of a southwest–northeast oriented dipole circulation, the TC is affected by a sustained shallow mid-latitude trough and a west-extended ridge of subtropical high to keep the cyclonic track turning analogous to the counterpart in CTL. The piecewise potential vorticity inversion diagnosis further assesses the contribution of the different ISO components to TC track deflection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)

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18 pages, 5829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Numerical Simulation of the Development Process of a Mesoscale Convection Complex Causing Severe Rainstorm in the Yangtze River Delta Region behind a Northward Moving Typhoon

by Xiaobo Liu, Hai Chu, Jun Sun, Wei Zhao and Qingtao Meng

Atmosphere 2022, 13(3), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13030473 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2648

Abstract

In recent years, due to the influence of global warming, extreme weather events occur frequently, such as the continuous heavy precipitation, regional high temperature, super typhoon, etc. Tropical cyclones make frequent landfall, heavy rains and flood disasters caused by landfall typhoons have a [...] Read more.

In recent years, due to the influence of global warming, extreme weather events occur frequently, such as the continuous heavy precipitation, regional high temperature, super typhoon, etc. Tropical cyclones make frequent landfall, heavy rains and flood disasters caused by landfall typhoons have a huge impact, and typhoon rainstorms are often closely related to mesoscale and small-scale system activities. The application 2020 NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) final operational global analysis data and WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting model, version 3.9) mesoscale numerical prediction model successfully simulates the evolution characteristics of the mesoscale convective complex (MCC) that caused an extreme rainstorm in the Yangtze River delta region behind a northwards typhoon in this article. The results show that a meso-β-scale vortex existed in the mid- to upper troposphere in the region where the MCC occurred; accompanied by the occurrence of the meso-β-scale vortex, the convective cloud clusters developed violently, and its shape is a typical vortex structure. The simulation-sensitive experiment shows that the development of the meso-β-scale cyclonic vortex is the main reason for the enhancement of MCC. The occurrence and development of the MCC is manifested as a vertical positive vorticity column and a strong vertical ascending motion region in the dynamic field. In the development and maturity stage of the MCC, the vorticity and vertical rising velocity in the MCC area are significantly greater than those in the weakened typhoon circulation, which shows significant mesoscale convective system characteristics. The diagnostic analysis of the vorticity equation shows that the positive vorticity advection caused by the meso-β-scale cyclonic vortex in the mid- to upper troposphere plays important roles in the development of the MCC. Enhanced low-level convergence enhances vertical ascending motion. The convective latent heat release also plays an important role on the development of the MCC, changes the atmospheric instability by heating, enhances the upward movement, and delivers positive vorticity to the upper level, making the convection develop higher, forming a positive feedback mechanism between low-level convergence and high-level divergence. The simulation-sensitive experiment also shows that the meso-β-scale cyclonic vortex formation in this process is related to convective latent heat release. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meteorological Extremes in China)

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