A Lagrangian Backward Air Parcel Trajectories Clustering Framework

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript “A Lagrangian Backward Air Parcel Trajectories Clustering Framework” studied a framework for clustering Lagrangian backward air parcel trajectories, from trajectory generation to cluster accuracy evaluation, using a novel clustering algorithm, the DenLAC. The presentation of the problem is clear and the results correctly presented. Therefore, I consider that the manuscript could be published after moderate changes. English is not bad and generally is easy to follow, but there are some evident grammar mistakes, which, in most cases, do not preclude the comprehension; hence the necessity of a revision, or not, would depend on the exigency of the journal in this aspect. This study can be published in the journal “Water” after the below minor revisions:

• The purpose of the study needs better wording.
• Figure 3: it is really low quality.
• In some parts of the manuscript, authors discussed the results in light of the literature prior to presenting their results, which is distracting.
• The conclusion part is a little bit prolix and should be improved. It seems to be a sum of results.
• What was the research significance of this study?

Author Response

First, we thank you for the comprehensive and quick review. In the following paragraphs, we provide a point-by-point response to your comments. We hope we have addressed all issues, and we are open to further suggestions if there are any. 

Point 1: The purpose of the study needs better wording.
Response 1: We revised the Introduction to highlight the relevance and originality of our research. The first paragraphs briefly explain the proposed framework's purpose and point out its advantages: completeness, simplicity, and improved performance and correctness of the clustering operation.
We also removed all the redundant information regarding related research.

Point 2: Figure 3: it is really low quality.
Response 2: Both images in Figure 3 were 640 pixels wide and 480 pixels high. We increased their resolution to 2626 width x 1953 height in pixels (corresponding to 500 dpi).
We also enhanced the quality of the images in Figure 4 and re-plotted and repositioned them to occupy less space.

Point 3: In some parts of the manuscript, authors discussed the results in light of the literature prior to presenting their results, which is distracting.
Response 3: We moved the paragraph that describes Hao et al.'s research from the Introduction section to the Related Work section.

Point 4: The conclusion part is a little bit prolix and should be improved. It seems to be a sum of results.
What was the research significance of this study?
Response 4: We revised the conclusions to concisely indicate the research significance of our paper and our contributions. For example, regarding our paper's significance, we specified:  "In this paper, we propose a Lagrangian backward trajectory clustering framework that aims to support meteorological research and focuses on easing the analysis of water vapor pathways. Some of its practical applications are: gathering essential information concerning floods and heavy storms, delimiting water vapors' areas of influence in the context of the ongoing climate change, and finding the sources of diffuse water pollution."

NOTE: in the paper, all the changes associated with this revision are highlighted in blue; the changes from the previous revision are highlighted in red.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Manuscript ID: water-1503864

Title: "A Lagrangian Backward Air Parcel Trajectories Clustering Framework"

REVIEW REPORT

The current version of the paper has been improved and now the manuscript is suitable for the journal.

Congratulations!

Author Response

Thank you for your appreciation!

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references?

It is possible to cover more other methods, research and references to compare and estimate the advantages of the proposed method.

 Is the research design appropriate?

In case of readers from non-IT and Maths sphere, would be good to provide full description of the applied Method.

Are the methods adequately described?

Not. Some parts of algorithm and formulae are missing. Probably this description is clear for Mathematicians and IT-specialists, but for other scientists it is necessary to present full description with example applied.

Are the results clearly presented? Are the conclusions supported by the results?

It is not clear what is the meaning of numerical results and what is their relation with the water, winds and other climatic and weather parameters. (see the remarks for previous question – probably all results are clear for IT and Maths specialists).

Originality / Novelty:

The original and new part of described method is Cluster Analyzes. Other used essential algorithms are well-known old method of climatic data processing. (Low level of Novelty)

Significance of Content:

It depends on the readers of the Journal. In case of climate and water research and Journal Water, the significance is low, because the determination of local sources of climatic excitation in relatively small area is not important. It will be high in case of global climate models, but this concerns properties and restriction of other methods, like Lagrangian trajectory modelling.

Scientific Soundness:

This paper is ready for print in any IT or Computer Journal.

Interest to the readers and Overall Merit:

Low. The readers of Journal Water expect clear Algorithms and Methods, ready for use in solving the modern problems of water sources, water managements, water modelling and etc.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript “A Lagrangian Backward Air Parcel Trajectories Clustering Framework” studied a framework for clustering Lagrangian backward air parcel trajectories, from trajectory generation to cluster accuracy evaluation, using a novel clustering algorithm, the DenLAC. I have found the methodological approach correct and the results are properly interpreted. The presentation of the problem is clear, the results correctly presented and the conclusions well explained. I have found the methodological approach correct and the results are properly interpreted. The presentation of the problem is clear, the results correctly presented and the conclusions well explained. Therefore, I consider that the manuscript could be published after moderate changes. English is not bad and generally is easy to follow, but there are some evident grammar mistakes, which, in most cases, do not preclude the comprehension; hence the necessity of a revision, or not, would depend on the exigency of the journal in this aspect. This study can be published in the journal “Water” after the below minor revisions:

• It would be convenient to include a table of abbreviations.

• The purpose of the study needs better wording.

Reviewer 3 Report

Manuscript ID: water-1461772

Title: "A Lagrangian Backward Air Parcel Trajectories Clustering Framework"

REVIEW REPORT

The topic of the paper is interesting as well as the academic contribution of the work. The manuscript is well written and organized in its scientific sections. It is suitable and accetable for the journal after the following minor revisions.

- Tables and figures should report the sources.

- An extensive editing of English language and style is required.