Search Results (5,173)

We investigate the variation in shear-wave velocity (V_S) in the shallow soil of the ARGONET vertical array in Cephalonia, Greece, utilizing an extensive 8–10-year dataset of earthquake records and applying seismic interferometry by deconvolution and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). We identify and quantify the contributions of seasonal variation, soil anisotropy, soil nonlinearity, and long-term Vs changes. Of the examined factors, nonlinearity produces the strongest V_S changes in the form of reduction of up to several tens of m/s. The azimuthal and seasonal partial effects appear similar in strength. However, V_S also exhibits year-to-year variation, with lower levels likely linked to the slow recovery of the soil following strong earthquakes in the broader region. When this partial effect is also considered, the temporal variation of V_S is more significant than the azimuthal variation. We also observed that strong weather phenomena, such as the unusual hurricane “Ianos” that hit western Greece in 2020, are captured in our model through tensor interaction terms. Our model can identify V_S drops related to nonlinear soil behavior even when masked by other effects. We demonstrate and verify this through seismic interferometry to stepwise increasing parts of earthquake recordings highlighting these within-events or coseismic V_S drops. Full article

This study examines the effects of climate change on maize production in Romania between 2003 and 2024, focusing on yield dynamics, regional disparities, and economic losses. Maize, a key crop in Romanian agriculture, has become increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, particularly droughts, which remain the most frequent risk. The analysis highlights a marked decline in maize yields and cultivated area in recent years, strongly correlated with severe droughts in 2020, 2022, and 2024. The results show that western and northern counties display greater resilience, while southeastern regions face significant yield losses. The economic impact is substantial, with losses exceeding EUR 1 billion. These findings underscore the systemic nature of climate-related risks and call for region-specific adaptation strategies, expanded irrigation infrastructure, and index-based insurance schemes to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable maize production under changing climatic conditions. Full article

The acceleration of climate change and increasing weather-related disasters require more active utilization of renewable energy. To maximize the use of renewable energy, energy storage is an essential part. Liquid piston gas compressors have recently drawn attention because of their applicability to compressed air-based energy storage. Aqueous foam can be used to enhance the efficiency of liquid piston gas compression by boosting heat transfer. To validate the effectiveness of the combination of liquid piston and aqueous foam in a multi-stage compression system, which can contribute to higher efficiency, the present work performed experimental study at various pressure levels. Compressions were performed with and without aqueous foam at three different initial pressure levels of 1, 2, and 3 bars. For each cycle of compression, a pressure ratio of 2 was used, and the impact of pressure levels on compression efficiency was measured. With the use of foam, isothermal efficiencies of 91.4, 88.2, and 86.6% were observed at 1, 2, and 3 bar(s), which improved by 2.2, 2.1, and 1.3% compared to the baseline compressions. To identify the cause of the effectiveness variations, the volume changes in the foam at the different pressure levels were visually compared. In higher-pressure tests, a significant reduction in the foam amount was observed, and this change may contribute to the decreased effectiveness of the technique. Full article

Climate change in Antarctica has profound global implications, influencing sea level rise, atmospheric circulation, and the Earth’s energy balance. This study presents a data-driven baseline analysis of meteorological observations from a British Antarctic Survey automatic weather station (2020–2024). Temporal and seasonal analyses reveal strong insolation-driven variability in temperature, snow depth, and solar radiation, reflecting the extreme polar day–night cycle. Correlation analysis highlights solar radiation, upwelling longwave flux, and snow depth as the most reliable predictors of near-surface temperature, while humidity, pressure, and wind speed contribute minimally. A linear regression baseline and a Random Forest model are evaluated for temperature prediction, with the ensemble approach demonstrating superior accuracy. Although the short data span limits long-term trend attribution, the findings underscore the potential of lightweight, reproducible pipelines for site-specific climate monitoring. All analysis codes are openly available in github, enabling transparency and future methodological extensions to advanced, non-linear models and multi-site datasets. Full article

The precision of ERA5 reanalysis datasets and their applicability in the mountainous regions of central China are essential for weather forecasting and climate change research in the transitional zone between northern and southern China. This study employs three months of continuous measurements collected from a high-precision remote sensing platform located in a representative mountainous valley (Xinyang city) in central China, spanning December 2024 to February 2025. Our findings indicate that both horizontal and vertical wind speeds from the ERA5 dataset exhibit diminishing deviations as altitude increases. Significant biases are observed below 500 m, with horizontal mean wind speed deviations ranging from −4 to −3 m/s and vertical mean wind speed deviations falling between 0.1 and 0.2 m/s. Conversely, minimal biases are noted near the top of the boundary layer. Both ERA5 and observations reveal a dominance of northeasterly and southwesterly winds at near-surface levels, which aligns with the valley orientation. This underscores the substantial impact of heterogeneous mountainous terrain on the low-level dynamic field. At an altitude of 1000 m, both datasets present similar frequency patterns, with peak frequencies of approximately 15%; however, notable discrepancies in peak wind directions are evident (north–northeast for observations and north–northwest for ERA5). In contrast to dynamic variables, ERA5 temperature deviations are centered around 0 K within the lower layers (0–500 m) but show a slight increase, varying from around 0 K to 6.8 K, indicating an upward trend in deviation with altitude. Similarly, relative humidity (RH) demonstrates an increasing bias with altitude, although its representation of moisture variability remains insufficient. During a typical cold event, substantial deviations in multiple ERA5 variables highlight the needs for further improvements. The integration of machine learning techniques and mathematical correction algorithms is strongly recommended as a means to enhance the accuracy of ERA5 data under such extreme conditions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the use of ERA5 datasets in the mountainous areas of central China and offer reliable scientific references for weather forecasting and climate modelings in these areas. Full article

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of traditional fire management practices in the general mitigation of wildfire risk in Greece. Major emphasis was placed on assessing people’s opinions about the perceived effectiveness of traditional fire management strategies that were historically and culturally employed by local communities—such as weather condition monitoring, prescribed burning, proper land use planning, and mosaic burning—in the general mitigation of wildfire risks. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 397 environmental experts in Greece. The study shows that traditional fire control methods reduce wildfire risk. First, weather monitoring was found to be crucial to wildfire forecasting and prevention. The results showed that early warning, successful firefighting, and fire prevention depend on meteorological data. Additionally, prescribed burning was revealed to have reduced wildfire risk. Respondents accepted that they could reduce unprescribed fires, protect natural ecosystems, remove wildfire-prone areas, and regulate flame intensity. This suggests that scheduled burning in Greece may reduce wildfire damage. The study underlines the importance of including conventional fire management in the wildfire mitigation strategy of Greece. The aforementioned activities may help the environment and civilization progress by safeguarding ecosystems and reducing wildfire damage. These techniques, combined with community engagement and improved early warning systems, may help manage climate change-induced wildfires. Overall, the study contributes to wildfire management in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate traditional fire practices into Greece’s wildfire risk reduction strategies. Taking into account the success rates of these practices in other areas, as well as Greece’s old tradition of conducting fire, this paper stresses that further studies and policy developments be made in order to reinstate these practices in today’s wildfire management. Full article

Coral reefs are very important ecosystems for the planet, offering ecological and socio-economic benefits. However, they are under threat due to anthropogenic factors and environmental changes. This study assesses the feasibility of weathered Portland cement concrete as a material for marine artificial reefs by comparing its physicochemical and mechanical properties with those of natural coral skeletons from the coast of Paraíba, Brazil. Analyses included microstructural and physical characterization, compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, as well as pH monitoring. The results indicated that weathered concrete exhibits mineralogical similarity to corals, with the presence of carbonate phases and portlandite absent due to advanced carbonation. The compressive strength of the concrete (27.6 MPa) was significantly higher than that of the coral samples (1–6 MPa), while the porosity of the corals (34–41%) exceeded that of the concrete (14%). The alkaline nature of the concrete (pH 9.7) remained stable. Although differences in physical and mechanical properties are evident, the values are within the ranges reported for cementitious materials in marine applications. Mineralogical similarities between coral skeletons and concrete support its potential as a functional analog in artificial reefs, while adjustments in geometry and porosity are suggested to enhance ecological compatibility. Full article

Surface pretreatment significantly influences the hygroscopic behavior of wood, which in turn affects surface stability when exposed to variable climatic conditions. This study focuses on how different surface pretreatment methods impact the performance of protective coating applied on spruce wood (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during one year of natural weathering. Samples were prepared using various surface treatments: milling and sanding with grit sizes P40, P80, and P120, respectively. Two types of coatings were applied: a solventborne coating (ADLER Pullex Plus-Lasur) and a waterborne coating (DColor FK 47 UV Protect). The samples were exposed for 12 months at an outdoor testing site in Suchdol, Czech. Surface properties were assessed through color changes in the CIE Lab* space, gloss measurements (ISO 2813), contact angle analysis, and visual inspection. The results showed that exposure to UV radiation and microbial activities led to the gradual degradation of the optical properties and aesthetic appearance of the wood. Surfaces with greater roughness preserved their aesthetic properties more effectively, indicating a higher absorption of the coating. Untreated wood exhibited low water repellency, while the coated surface demonstrated enhanced hydrophobicity. Notably, the waterborne coating showed a temporary increase in contact angle around the sixth month, indicating surface clogging by dust particles. In contrast, the solventborne coating had a rapid decrease in wettability during the first nine months. These findings suggested the importance of surface pretreatment and coating type in maintaining the long-term performance and aesthetic appearance for wood used in exterior conditions. Full article

The global rapid urbanization intensifies environmental challenges related to climate change, such as air pollution and the urban heat island (UHI) effect in built environments. The need to optimize nature-based solutions (NBSs) is imperative to mitigate climate change and adapt to extreme weather phenomena. Against this background, this review offers an analysis regarding the integration of vertical greenery systems (VGSs) into urban environments so as to capitalize on their environmental, social, and economic benefits. Key aspects of the review include the positive role of VGSs in UHI mitigation, air quality improvement, stormwater management, and biodiversity enhancement, while examining social aspects (i.e., improved well-being and mental health, noise reduction, and urban built aesthetics). Finally, parameters related to economic benefits and energy efficiency are assessed. The submission further analyses the significant challenges that VGSs face, such as high maintenance costs, structural risks, plant health issues, fire hazards, and other limitations (legislative and technical). The crucial need for interdisciplinary collaborations among urban planners, architects, environmental engineers, and stakeholders is highlighted, in order to successfully integrate VGSs into urban buildings. Thus, this paper aims to identify key strategies for optimizing VGSs’ implementation and provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers aiming to enhance urban sustainability through vertical greening. Full article

Climate change and extreme weather compromise building energy performance and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, impacting occupant wellbeing and health. However, occupants can naturally adapt through their behaviors, representing a form of intrinsic resilience that enhances the building’s capacity to handle thermal extremes. This study explores the role of occupants in buildings’ thermal resilience; it begins by investigating passive and active strategies commonly discussed in the literature, then analyzes whether occupants are treated as passive or active subjects with adaptive capacity. Four databases were consulted, and 22 peer-reviewed papers were screened based on the following criteria: a clear definition of thermal resilient buildings, inclusion of at least one quantitative method for assessing whole-building resilience, original scientific contribution, and a focus on whole-building rather than component-level resilience. Analysis highlights that the intrinsic thermal resilience of occupants has received limited importance in current discourse on building resilience; in most studies (12 out of 22), occupants are treated as passive thermal loads, with no adaptive behavior considered. This study also suggests examining strategies traditionally used in energy efficiency and indoor comfort as a preliminary approach to encourage adaptive behaviors, and, above all, opens a discussion on integrating occupant behavior into resilience strategies. Full article

Increased precipitation and extreme weather due to climate change can remobilize recent and legacy environmental contaminants from soil, sediment, and sewage overflows. Heavy metals are naturally distributed in Earth’s crust, but anthropogenic activity has resulted in concentrated emissions of toxic heavy metals and deposition in surrounding communities. Cities around the world are burdened with heavy metal pollution from past and present industrial activity. The city of Camden, NJ, represents a valuable case study of climate impacts on heavy metal mobilization in stormwater runoff due to similar legacy and present-day industrial pollution that has taken place in Camden and in many other cities. Various studies have shown that lead (Pb) and other toxic heavy metals have been emitted in Camden due to historic and recent industrial activity, and deposited in nearby soils and on impervious surfaces. However, it is not known if these heavy metals can be mobilized in urban stormwater, particularly after periods of high precipitation. In this study, Camden, NJ stormwater was collected from streets and parks after heavy rain events in the winter and spring for analysis with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Lead was by far the most abundant of the four target elements in stormwater samples followed by Hg, Cd, and As. The locations with the highest Pb concentrations, up to 686.5 ppb, were flooded allies and streets between commercial and residential areas. The highest concentrations of Hg (up to 11.53 ppb, orders of magnitude lower than Pb) were found in partially flooded streets and ditches. Lead stormwater concentrations exceed EPA safe drinking levels at the majority of analyzed locations, and Hg stormwater concentrations exceed EPA safe drinking levels at all analyzed locations. While stormwater is not generally ingested, dermal contact and hand-to-mouth behavior by children are potential routes of exposure. Heavy metal concentrations were lower in stormwater collected from parks and restored areas of Camden, indicating that these areas have a lower heavy metal exposure risk. This study shows that heavy metal pollution can be mobilized in stormwater runoff, resulting in elevated exposure risk in industrial cities. Full article

The quantitative assessment of acoustic rain enhancement technology is highly significant for improving the ecological environment. A scientific and accurate evaluation of its operational effects provides an important basis for continued government and public support and investment in artificial weather modification activities. To effectively analyze the effects of acoustic rain enhancement on the vegetation of grassland ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas and to clarify its mechanism, this study constructed eight vegetation indices based on Sentinel-2 satellite data. A comprehensive assessment of the changes in vegetation within the grassland ecosystem of the experimental zone was conducted by analyzing spatiotemporal distribution patterns, double-ratio analysis, and difference value comparisons. The results showed that (1) following the acoustic rain enhancement experiment, vegetation growth improved significantly. The mean values of all eight vegetation indices increased more substantially than before the experiment, with kNDVI showing the most notable gain. The proportion of the zone with kNDVI values greater than 0.417 increased from 52.62% to 71.59%, representing a relative increase of 36.05%. (2) The rain enhancement experiment significantly raised the values of eight vegetation indices: kNDVI increased by 0.042 (18.68%), ARVI by 0.043 (18.67%), and the remaining indices also increased to varying degrees (9.51–12.34%). (3) Vegetation improvement was more pronounced in areas closer to the acoustic rain enhancement site. Under consistent climate conditions, vegetation growth in the experimental zone showed significant enhancement. This study demonstrates that acoustic rain enhancement technology can mitigate drought and low rainfall, improve grassland ecosystem services, and provide a valuable foundation for ecological restoration and aerial water resource utilization in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

As global climate change intensifies the frequency of extreme weather events, urban flood control and disaster reduction efforts face unprecedented challenges. With the limitations of traditional, top-down emergency management becoming increasingly apparent, many countries are actively incorporating community-based participation into flood risk governance. While research in this area is expanding, the specific impact of urban flood inundation severity on residents’ participation in relief efforts remains significantly underexplored. To address this research gap, this study employs the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) and a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) model to empirically analyze 1322 survey responses from Zhengzhou, China, exploring the non-linear relationship between flood severity and public participation. Our findings are threefold: (1) As the most direct source of residents’ risk perception, flood inundation severity has a significant association with their participation level. (2) This relationship is distinctly non-linear. For instance, inundation severity within a 200 m radius of a resident’s home shows a predominantly negative relation with participation level, with the negative effect lessening at extreme levels of inundation. The distance from inundated areas, conversely, exhibits an “S-shaped” curve. (3) Flood severity exhibits a significant reinforcement interaction with both communication technology levels and government organizational mobilization. This indicates that, during public crises like flash floods, robust information channels and effective organizational support are positively related to residents’ transition from passive to active participation. This study reveals the complex, non-linear associations between flood severity and civic engagement, providing theoretical support and practical insights for optimizing disaster policies and enhancing community resilience within the broader context of urban land management and sustainable development. Full article

Against the backdrop of climate change and the accelerated process of urbanization, the risks of extreme weather and natural disasters that cities are facing are increasing day by day. Based on the framework of the local climate zone (LCZ), this paper studies the spatio-temporal evolution of the urban surface morphology and the heat island effect of Tongren City. Using the comprehensive mapping technology of remote sensing and GIS, combined with the inversion of surface temperature, the distribution of LCZs and the changes in heat island intensity were analyzed. The results show that: (1) The net increase in forest coverage area leads to a decrease in shrub and grassland area, resulting in an ecological deficit. (2) The built-up area expands along transportation routes, and industrial areas encroach upon natural space. (3) The urban heat island pattern has evolved from a single core to multiple cores and eventually becomes fragmented. (4) Among the seasonal dominant driving factors of urban heat islands, the impervious water surface is in summer, the terrain roughness and building height are in winter, and the building density is in spring and autumn. These findings provide feasible insights into mitigating the heat island effect through climate-sensitive urban planning. Full article

Against the backdrop of global climate change, extreme weather events are increasingly challenging the safe and stable operation of power distribution networks. These events can cause sudden load fluctuations, equipment failures, and disruptions in power transfer. To address these, this paper proposes an optimal control strategy for distribution network power transfer, integrating Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and dynamic optimization models. By fusing meteorological data with grid characteristics, the LSTM model predicts load demand and fault probability, capturing complex system behaviors under extreme conditions. Combined with Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP), a decision-making model is developed, and a deep-reinforcement-learning-based algorithm handles uncertainties in weather, load, and equipment faults, enabling accurate control. Validation on a 33-bus system shows the method enhances reliability under extreme weather, providing practical value. Furthermore, typhoons, as extreme weather events, can severely damage infrastructure, disrupt power lines, and affect grid stability. In the 33-bus system, typhoons can cause tower collapses and line failures, impacting power transfer. This paper explores the impact of typhoons on a bus model integrated with renewable energy, proposing optimal control strategies to ensure power supply to critical loads while minimizing equipment damage. Full article