Next Issue
Volume 15, October
Previous Issue
Volume 15, August
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.6
2.5
Journals
Atmosphere
Volume 15
Issue 9
share announcement

Atmosphere, Volume 15, Issue 9 (September 2024) – 126 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The dual-frequency precipitation radar of the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM DPR) provides information on total precipitation, snowfall precipitation and snowfall flags. This study compares these data against total precipitation and snowfall precipitation from well-known model-based data sets used as ground truth over the Tibetan Plateau. Some studies proved temporal or spatial mismatches between spaceborne measurements and other data. We tested whether increasing the time lag of the reanalysis data or including the GPM DPR neighbor pixels improved the results of the intercomparison. In summary, the results improved when temporal or spatial adjustments were applied. View this paper
  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Section
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
19 pages, 17434 KiB  
Article
Impact of Lockdowns on Air Pollution: Case Studies of Two Periods in 2022 in Guangzhou, China
by Xinlei Zhao, Xian-Xiang Li, Rui Xin, Yuejuan Zhang and Chun-Ho Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091144 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 702
Abstract
The photochemical mechanisms of ozone (O3) formation are complex, and simply reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions is insufficient to reduce O3 concentrations. The lockdown due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided a rare opportunity to explore [...] Read more.
The photochemical mechanisms of ozone (O3) formation are complex, and simply reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions is insufficient to reduce O3 concentrations. The lockdown due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided a rare opportunity to explore the mechanisms of O3 formation and evaluate the performance of NOx emission control strategies through practical observations. This study integrates data from ground stations with observations from the TROPOMI sensor on the Sentinel-5P satellite to analyze air quality changes during the two one-month lockdown periods in Guangzhou, China, in March and November 2022. Our analysis particularly focuses on the impact of these lockdowns on O3 and NO2 concentrations, along with shifts in the sensitivity of ozone formation. Furthermore, we have assessed concentration changes of four major pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and CO. The results show that the average O3 concentration in Guangzhou decreased during the March lockdown, while the average O3 concentration at three stations in the western part of Guangzhou increased during the November lockdown. The western part of Guangzhou is a VOCs (volatile organic compounds)-limited zone, and the NO2 emission reduction from the lockdown reduced the titration effect on O3, which led to the increase in O3 concentration. Overall, the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on O3 concentrations depended on the local O3 producing sensitive system, and emissions of other major pollutants were reduced substantially, as reported in many other cities around the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 648 KiB  
Review
Phytotoxicity Testing of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
by Selenge Tumurbaatar, Nora Kováts and Katalin Hubai
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091143 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have well-known phytotoxicity on higher plants. However, while numerous bioindication studies have been targeted on how different symptoms indicate the deleterious effects of PAHs in the field, laboratory-scale phytotoxicity tests are much rarer. While ecotoxicity tests might rely [...] Read more.
Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have well-known phytotoxicity on higher plants. However, while numerous bioindication studies have been targeted on how different symptoms indicate the deleterious effects of PAHs in the field, laboratory-scale phytotoxicity tests are much rarer. While ecotoxicity tests might rely on the very same end-points as bioindication studies, they have to comply with quality assurance criteria, repeatability being the most important. As such, proper reporting involves the description of the test compound, experimental design and conditions, test organism used, and end-points measured. The recent review intends to give an overview of studies available in the literature complying with these requirements. PAHs occur in the atmosphere both in gaseous form and bound to particles. As plants are exposed to both phases, test protocols available represent different exposure pathways, fumigation chambers vs. direct foliar treatment. Reported studies, therefore, are grouped based on the exposure route they intend to simulate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1839 KiB  
Article
Emission Characteristics of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) from Conventional Gasoline and Hybrid Vehicles
by Guobin Miao, Xiaohu Wang, Guangyin Xuan, Jin Liu, Wenhai Ma and Lili Zhang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091142 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 716
Abstract
Considering the potential warming potential and long lifetime of nitrous oxide (N2O) as a greenhouse gas, exploring its emission characteristics is of great significance for its control and the achievement of sustainable development goals. As vehicles are a significant source of [...] Read more.
Considering the potential warming potential and long lifetime of nitrous oxide (N2O) as a greenhouse gas, exploring its emission characteristics is of great significance for its control and the achievement of sustainable development goals. As vehicles are a significant source of N2O emissions, in this study we conducted a detailed investigation of N2O in the exhaust of light-duty vehicles using a chassis dynamometer. We selected one conventional gasoline vehicle and two hybrid electric vehicles. We found that the N2O emissions from all the tested vehicles complied with the China 6 emission regulation, with emission factors of 7.7 mg/km, 6.8 mg/km, and 17.1 mg/km, respectively, for the three vehicles. Driving conditions played a crucial role in N2O emissions, with emissions generated primarily during extra-high-speed conditions, possibly due to the higher driving speed and greater number of acceleration/deceleration events. Furthermore, while hybrid electric vehicles emitted less NOx compared to conventional gasoline vehicles, their N2O emissions were closely tied to their engine operating conditions. Surprisingly, we discovered that hybrid electric vehicles emitted more N2O during frequent engine start–stop cycles, which could be related to the mechanisms of N2O generation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the N2O emission characteristics of vehicles and will inform the development of emission control strategies to better promote global sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Mobile Source Emissions (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2273 KiB  
Article
Pilot Survey of Outdoor Radon and Thoron Levels in Bulgaria Using an Innovative DVD-Based Method
by Dobromir Pressyanov and Dimitar Dimitrov
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091141 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 561
Abstract
This study presents the results of a pilot survey utilizing an innovative DVD-based method to measure outdoor radon and thoron levels. Twenty-six discriminative radon/thoron detectors were deployed across four different territorial zones in Bulgaria. Positioned 1 m above the ground, these detectors were [...] Read more.
This study presents the results of a pilot survey utilizing an innovative DVD-based method to measure outdoor radon and thoron levels. Twenty-six discriminative radon/thoron detectors were deployed across four different territorial zones in Bulgaria. Positioned 1 m above the ground, these detectors were left in place for several months. Notably, the dataset reveals significant variability in measurements, even over short distances, with thoron exhibiting greater variability than radon. Radon levels ranged from 7 ± 1 to 34 ± 3 Bq m−3 (average: 21 Bq m−3), while thoron levels ranged from 13 ± 5 to 307 ± 54 Bq m−3 (average: 170 Bq m−3). A weak but statistically significant correlation (correlation coefficient: 0.559) was observed between radon and thoron levels, which improved significantly when averaged across the four zones. These findings underscore the importance of measuring both radon and thoron in outdoor surveys. High thoron levels can significantly bias radon measurements, particularly when radon concentrations are substantially lower than those of thoron. If further studies confirm the good correlation between area averages, the observed correlation between area-average values could be used to correct average radon levels in large areas (e.g., radon priority areas) for thoron interference when thoron data are missing from the analyzed radon dataset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Radon Concentration Monitoring and Measurements (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 13088 KiB  
Article
Effects of Surface Layer Physics Schemes on the Simulated Intensity and Structure of Typhoon Rai (2021)
by Thi-Huyen Hoang, Ching-Yuang Huang and Thi-Chinh Nguyen
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091140 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 613
Abstract
The influences of surface layer (SL) physics schemes on the simulated intensity and structure of Typhoon Rai (2021) are investigated using the WRF model. Numerical experiments using different SL physics schemes—revised MM5 scheme (MM5), Eta similarity scheme (CTL), and Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino scheme (MYNN)—are conducted. [...] Read more.
The influences of surface layer (SL) physics schemes on the simulated intensity and structure of Typhoon Rai (2021) are investigated using the WRF model. Numerical experiments using different SL physics schemes—revised MM5 scheme (MM5), Eta similarity scheme (CTL), and Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino scheme (MYNN)—are conducted. The results show that the intensity forecast of Typhoon Rai is largely influenced by SL physics schemes, while its track forecast is not significantly affected. All three experiments can successfully capture the movement of Rai, while CTL provides better intensity simulation compared to the other two experiments. The higher ratio of enthalpy exchange coefficient to drag coefficient (CK/CD) in CTL than MM5 and MYNN leads to significantly increased surface enthalpy fluxes, which are crucial for the typhoon intensification of the former. To explore the influence of SL physics on the structural evolution of the typhoon, the azimuthal-mean angular momentum (AM) budget is utilized. The results indicate that asymmetric eddy terms may also largely contribute to the AM tendencies, which are relatively more comparable in the weaker TC for MM5, compared to the stronger TC with the dominant symmetric mean terms for CTL. Furthermore, the extended Sawyer–Eliassen (SE) equation is solved to quantify the transverse circulations of the typhoon induced by different forcing sources for CTL and MM5. The SE solution indicates that the transverse circulation above and within the boundary layer is predominantly induced by diabatic heating and turbulent friction, respectively, for both CTL and MM5, while all other physical forcing terms are relatively insignificant for the induced transverse circulation for CTL, except for the large contribution from the eddy forcing in the upper-tropospheric outflow for MM5. With the stronger connective heating in the eyewall and boundary-layer radial inflow, the linear SE analysis agrees much better with the nonlinear simulation for CTL than MM5. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 6044 KiB  
Article
Changes in Magnitude and Shifts in Timing of the Latvian River Annual Flood Peaks
by Elga Apsīte, Didzis Elferts, Jānis Lapinskis, Agrita Briede and Līga Klints
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091139 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 553
Abstract
Climate change is expected to significantly impact temperature and precipitation, as well as snow accumulations and melt in mid-latitudes, including in the Baltic region, ultimately affecting the quantity and seasonal distribution of streamflow. This study aims to investigate the changes in the magnitude [...] Read more.
Climate change is expected to significantly impact temperature and precipitation, as well as snow accumulations and melt in mid-latitudes, including in the Baltic region, ultimately affecting the quantity and seasonal distribution of streamflow. This study aims to investigate the changes in the magnitude and timing of annual maximum discharge for 30 hydrological monitoring stations across Latvia from 1950/51 to 2021/22. Circular statistics and linear mixed effects models were applied to identify the strength of seasonality and timing. Trend analysis of the magnitude and timing of flood peaks were performed by using the Theil–Sen method and Mann–Kendall test. We analyzed regional significance of trends across different hydrological regions and country using the Walker test. Results indicate strong seasonality in annual flood peaks in catchments, with a single peak occurring in spring in the study sub-period of 1950/51–1986/87. Flood seasonality has changed over recent decades (i.e., 1987/88–2021/22) and is seen as a decrease in spring maximum discharge and increase in winter flood peaks. Alterations in annual flood occurrence also point towards a shift in flow regime from snowmelt dominated to mixed snow–rainfall dominated, with consistent changes towards the earlier timing of the flood peak, with a more or less pronounced gradation from west to east. Analysis shows that a significant trend of decrease in the magnitude and timing of annual maximum discharge was detected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Hydrologic Cycle in a Changing Climate)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 7416 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Relationship between Upper-Level Aircraft Turbulence and the East Asian Westerly Jet Stream
by Kenan Li, Xi Chen, Liman A, Kaijun Wu, Haiwen Liu, Fengjing Dai, Tiantian Yang, Jia Yu and Kehua Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091138 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 591
Abstract
The jet stream is a primary factor contributing to turbulence, especially for upper-level aircraft. This study utilized pilot reports and ERA5 data from 2023 to investigate the relationship between upper-level turbulence and the East Asian westerly jet (EAJ). The results indicate that approximately [...] Read more.
The jet stream is a primary factor contributing to turbulence, especially for upper-level aircraft. This study utilized pilot reports and ERA5 data from 2023 to investigate the relationship between upper-level turbulence and the East Asian westerly jet (EAJ). The results indicate that approximately 45.9% of upper-level aircraft turbulence occurs within the jet stream, with the lowest proportion in August and the highest in January. Additionally, the strongest vertical wind shear (VMS) is found concentrated in the lower part of the jet stream core, particularly in the South–Down part of the jet stream, where upper-level aircraft turbulence occurs most frequently (27.1%). The most turbulent area is located between 30–40° N and 110–120° E, with the main air routes experiencing turbulence being the Henan sections of G212 and B208. From a seasonal perspective, there is less frequent occurrence of upper-level aircraft turbulence in summer and autumn but more in winter and spring. The EAJ volume increases with the strengthening of the jet core wind speed, with the jet core regions being most distinct at altitudes of 200~300 hPa. Meanwhile, the jet stream intensity index peaks at 70.6 m/s in January and reaches its lowest value of 7.1 m/s in August. The jet stream axis shifts southward in winter and northward in summer, reaching the southernmost position in December at 32.2° N and the northernmost position in August at 43.5° N. Furthermore, the VMS at turbulence points within the jet stream is higher than that at the turbulence points outside the jet stream, and the Richardson number (RI) is lower. Moreover, the temporal distribution of upper-level aircraft turbulence is primarily determined by the location and intensity of the jet stream, of which the jet stream intensity index provides guidance and thus serves as a reliable indicator. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Observations and Analysis of Upper Atmosphere)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1517 KiB  
Article
Global Health Emergencies of Extreme Drought Events: Historical Impacts and Future Preparedness
by Zakaria A. Mani, Amir Khorram-Manesh and Krzysztof Goniewicz
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091137 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1280
Abstract
This study examines the global health implications of extreme drought events from 2000 to 2023. Utilizing data from the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), we analyzed the number of people affected and the total deaths attributed to drought. Our findings reveal that over 1.6 [...] Read more.
This study examines the global health implications of extreme drought events from 2000 to 2023. Utilizing data from the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT), we analyzed the number of people affected and the total deaths attributed to drought. Our findings reveal that over 1.6 billion people have been impacted by drought globally, with Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa being the most severely affected regions. India and China account for a significant portion of the affected population, with 688.2 million and 327.35 million impacted people, respectively. Drought-related mortality has also been substantial, with over 24,000 deaths recorded globally, including more than 20,000 in Somalia alone. The study highlights the uneven distribution of drought impacts, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and comprehensive drought preparedness strategies. Our analysis also reveals the critical role of socio-economic factors in exacerbating the health impacts of drought, particularly in regions with inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to resources. This study provides novel insights into the specific health impacts of drought, including the correlation between drought frequency and mortality rates, and offers actionable recommendations for improving future emergency responses and health system preparedness. These recommendations are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the most vulnerable regions, emphasizing the importance of context-specific strategies to enhance resilience against the growing threat of climate-induced droughts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Extreme Weather Disaster Risks)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 5658 KiB  
Article
Investigating Hydrological Drought Characteristics in Northeastern Thailand in CMIP5 Climate Change Scenarios
by Sornsawan Chatklang, Piyapong Tongdeenok and Naruemol Kaewjampa
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091136 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 786
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the predictions of hydrological droughts in the Lam Chiang Kri Watershed (LCKW) by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and streamflow data for 2010–2021. The objective was to assess the streamflow drought index (SDI) for 5-, [...] Read more.
In this study, we analyzed the predictions of hydrological droughts in the Lam Chiang Kri Watershed (LCKW) by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and streamflow data for 2010–2021. The objective was to assess the streamflow drought index (SDI) for 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-year return periods (RPs) in 2029 and 2039 in two representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios: the moderate climate change scenario (RCP 4.5) and the high-emission scenario (RCP 8.5). The SWAT model showed high accuracy (R2 = 0.82, NSE = 0.78). In RCP4.5, streamflow is projected to increase by 34.74% for 2029 and 18.74% for 2039, while in RCP8.5, a 37.06% decrease is expected for 2029 and 55.84% for 2039. A historical analysis indicated that there were frequent short-term droughts according to SDI-3 (3-month-period index), particularly from 2014 to 2015 and 2020 to 2021, and severe droughts according to SDI-6 (6-month-period index) in 2015 and 2020. The RCP8.5 projections indicate worsening drought conditions, with critical periods from April to June. A wavelet analysis showed that there is a significant risk of severe hydrological drought in the LCKW. Drought characteristic analysis indicated that high-intensity events occur with low frequency in the 50-year RP. Conversely, high-frequency droughts with lower intensity are observed in RPs of less than 50 years. The results of this study highlight an increase in severe drought risk in high emission scenarios, emphasizing the need for water management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Monitoring, Prediction and Impacts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3010 KiB  
Article
Spatial Memory of Notable Hurricane Tracks and Their Geophysical Hazards
by Kimberly Brothers and Jason C. Senkbeil
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091135 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Previous research has shown that people use a benchmark hurricane as part of their preparation and evacuation decision-making process. While hurricanes are a common occurrence along the Gulf Coast, research on personal memories of past storms is lacking. Particularly, how well do people [...] Read more.
Previous research has shown that people use a benchmark hurricane as part of their preparation and evacuation decision-making process. While hurricanes are a common occurrence along the Gulf Coast, research on personal memories of past storms is lacking. Particularly, how well do people remember the track and geophysical hazards (wind speed, storm surge, and total rainfall) of past storms? The accurate or inaccurate recollection and perception of previous storm details can influence personal responses to future storms, such as the decision to evacuate or take other life-saving actions. Survey responses of residents in Alabama and Mississippi were studied to determine if people were accurately able to recall a notable storm’s name when seeing an image of the storm’s track. Those who were able to identify the storm by its track were also asked if they could remember the storm’s maximum reported rainfall, maximum sustained winds, and storm surge at landfall. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the levels of accurate recall for different storms, with Hurricanes Katrina and Michael having the most correct responses. Regardless of the storm, most people struggled to remember geophysical hazards. The results of this study are important as they can inform broadcast meteorologists and emergency managers on forecast elements of the storm to better emphasize in future communication in comparison to the actual values from historical benchmark storms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3994 KiB  
Article
Possible Identification of Precursor ELF Signals on Recent EQs That Occurred Close to the Recording Station
by Ioannis Contopoulos, Janusz Mlynarczyk, Jerzy Kubisz and Vasilis Tritakis
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091134 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 548
Abstract
The Lithospheric–Atmospheric–Ionospheric Coupling (LAIC) mechanism stands as the leading model for the prediction of seismic activities. It consists of a cascade of physical processes that are initiated days before a major earthquake. The onset is marked by the discharge of ionized gases, such [...] Read more.
The Lithospheric–Atmospheric–Ionospheric Coupling (LAIC) mechanism stands as the leading model for the prediction of seismic activities. It consists of a cascade of physical processes that are initiated days before a major earthquake. The onset is marked by the discharge of ionized gases, such as radon, through subterranean fissures that develop in the lead-up to the quake. This discharge augments the ionization at the lower atmospheric layers, instigating disturbances that extend from the Earth’s surface to the lower ionosphere. A critical component of the LAIC sequence involves the distinctive perturbations of Extremely Low Electromagnetic Frequencies (ELF) within the Schumann Resonances (SR) spectrum of 2 to 50 Hz, detectable days ahead of the seismic event. Our study examines 10 earthquakes that transpired over a span of 3.5 months—averaging nearly three quakes monthly—which concurrently generated 45 discernible potential precursor seismic signals. Notably, each earthquake originated in Southern Greece, within a radius of 30 to 250 km from the observatory on Mount Parnon. Our research seeks to resolve two important issues. The first concerns the association between specific ELF signals and individual earthquakes—a question of significant importance in seismogenic regions like Greece, where earthquakes occur frequently. The second inquiry concerns the parameters that determine the detectability of an earthquake by a given station, including the requisite proximity and magnitude. Initial findings suggest that SR signals can be reliably linked to a particular earthquake if the observatory is situated within the earthquake’s preparatory zone. Conversely, outside this zone, the correlation becomes indeterminate. Additionally, we observe a differentiation in SR signals based on whether the earthquake took place over land or offshore. The latter category exhibits unique signal behaviors, potentially attributable to the water layers above the epicenter acting as a barrier to the ascending gases, thereby affecting the atmospheric–ionospheric ionization process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Upper Atmosphere)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 5352 KiB  
Article
Investigating Radon Concentrations in the Cango Cave, South Africa
by Jacques Bezuidenhout and Rikus le Roux
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1133; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091133 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 532
Abstract
Radon concentrations in the tourist part of the Cango cave were measured using 25 strategically placed electret ion chambers. Airflow rates were also measured and found to be less than 1 m/s throughout the cave. An IDW interpolated radon concentration overlay was constructed [...] Read more.
Radon concentrations in the tourist part of the Cango cave were measured using 25 strategically placed electret ion chambers. Airflow rates were also measured and found to be less than 1 m/s throughout the cave. An IDW interpolated radon concentration overlay was constructed using QGIS and overlayed on maps of the cave. The maximum radon concentration of 2625 Bq/m3 was measured in the Grand Hall, located in the central part of the cave following a narrow passage. The initial part of the cave near the entrance exhibited normal cave breathing characteristics, with radon concentrations of less than 300 Bq/m3. The deepest section of the cave, however, demonstrated an unexpected decrease in radon levels, temperature, and humidity. The average radon concentration in the Cango cave, measured at 1265 Bq/m3, is relatively low compared to other caves worldwide that need mitigation measures according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Radon Concentration Monitoring and Measurements (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 15073 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment of Community-Scale High-Temperature and Rainstorm Waterlogging Disasters: A Case Study of the Dongsi Community in Beijing
by Pei Xing, Ruozi Yang, Wupeng Du, Ya Gao, Chunyi Xuan, Jiayi Zhang, Jun Wang, Mengxin Bai, Bing Dang and Feilin Xiong
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091132 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 454
Abstract
With the advancement of urbanization and acceleration of global warming, extreme weather and climate events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, and climate risk continues to rise. Each community is irreplaceable and important in coping with extreme climate risk and improving urban resilience. [...] Read more.
With the advancement of urbanization and acceleration of global warming, extreme weather and climate events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, and climate risk continues to rise. Each community is irreplaceable and important in coping with extreme climate risk and improving urban resilience. In this study, the Dongsi Community in the functional core area of Beijing was explored, and the risk assessment of high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging was implemented at the community scale. Local navigation observations were integrated into a theoretical framework for traditional disaster risk assessment. The risk assessment indicator system for community-scale high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters was established and improved from a microscopic perspective (a total of 22 indicators were selected from the three dimensions of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology was used to integrate geographic information, meteorological, planning, municipal, socioeconomic and other multisource information layers, thus enabling more detailed spatial distribution characteristics of the hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk levels of community-scale high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging to be obtained. The results revealed that the high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of high-temperature disasters accounted for 13.5% and 15.1%, respectively. The high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of rainstorm waterlogging disasters accounted for 9.8% and 31.6%, respectively. The high-risk areas common to high temperatures and waterlogging accounted for 3.9%. In general, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters at the community scale showed obvious spatial imbalances; that is, the risk in the area around the middle section of Dongsi Santiao was the lowest, while a degree of high temperatures or rainstorm waterlogging was found in other areas. In particular, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters along Dongsi North Street, the surrounding areas of Dongsi Liutiao, and some areas along the Dongsi Jiutiao route was relatively high. These spatial differences were affected to a greater extent by land cover (buildings, vegetation, etc.) and population density within the community. This study is a useful exploration of climate risk research for resilient community construction, and provides scientific support for the planning of climate-adaptive communities, as well as the proposal of overall adaptation goals, action frameworks, and specific planning strategies at the community level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Extreme Weather Disaster Risks)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 900 KiB  
Article
Radon Equilibrium Factor and the Assessment of the Annual Effective Dose at Underground Workplaces
by Agata Grygier and Krystian Skubacz
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091131 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 699
Abstract
The equilibrium factor F is one of the parameters that should be considered when assessing the effective dose based on radon activity concentration. Since the equilibrium factor in various environments ranges theoretically from a value close to 0 to 1, it is expected [...] Read more.
The equilibrium factor F is one of the parameters that should be considered when assessing the effective dose based on radon activity concentration. Since the equilibrium factor in various environments ranges theoretically from a value close to 0 to 1, it is expected that dose assessment based on one recommended coefficient value may lead to an underestimation or overestimation of the dose. That is why it is essential to measure this quantity if the basis for dose assessment is the radon concentration and not the concentration of radon decay products. The equilibrium factors were determined based on measurements of radon activity concentration and potential alpha energy concentration and varied from 0.15 to 0.94, with an arithmetic mean of 0.55. The average effective dose calculated for the employee taking into account these values was 31 mSv, assuming an annual working time of 1800 h. In turn, the average effective dose calculated for the equilibrium factor of 0.2 as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) was equal to 13 mSv. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Radon Concentration Monitoring and Measurements (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2217 KiB  
Article
In-Vehicle Air Pollutant Exposures from Daily Commute in the San Francisco Bay Area, California
by Reshmasri Deevi and Mingming Lu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1130; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091130 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
With urbanization and increased vehicle usage, understanding the exposure to air pollutants inside the vehicles is vital for developing strategies to mitigate associated health risks. In-vehicle air quality influences the comfort of the driver during long commutes and has gained significant interest. This [...] Read more.
With urbanization and increased vehicle usage, understanding the exposure to air pollutants inside the vehicles is vital for developing strategies to mitigate associated health risks. In-vehicle air quality influences the comfort of the driver during long commutes and has gained significant interest. This study focuses on studying in-vehicle air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, an urban setting with significant traffic congestion and varied emission sources and road conditions. Each trip is about 80.5 km (50 miles) in length, with commute times of approximately one hour. Two low-cost portable sensors were employed to simultaneously measure in-vehicle pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and CO2) during morning and evening rush hours from May 2023 to December 2023. Seasonally averaged PM2.5 varied from 5.07 µg/m3 to 6.55 µg/m3 during morning rush hours and from 4.38 µg/m3 to 4.47 µg/m3 during evening rush hours. In addition, the impacts of local PM2.5, vehicle ventilation settings, and speed of the vehicle on in-vehicle PM concentrations were also analyzed. CO2 buildup in vehicles was studied for two scenarios: one with inside recirculation enabled (RC on) and the other with circulation from outside (RC off). With RC off, CO2 concentrations are largely within the 1100 ppm range recommended by many organizations, while the average CO2 concentrations can be three times high under recirculation mode. This research suggests that low-cost sensors can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of air pollution in the in-vehicle microenvironment, which can better help commuters reduce health risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Mobile Source Emissions (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

26 pages, 357 KiB  
Review
Agricultural Drought Monitoring: A Comparative Review of Conventional and Satellite-Based Indices
by Ali Gholinia and Peyman Abbaszadeh
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091129 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
Drought is a natural hazard that causes significant economic and human losses by creating a persistent lack of precipitation that impacts agriculture and hydrology. It has various characteristics, such as delayed effects and variability across dimensions like severity, spatial extent, and duration, making [...] Read more.
Drought is a natural hazard that causes significant economic and human losses by creating a persistent lack of precipitation that impacts agriculture and hydrology. It has various characteristics, such as delayed effects and variability across dimensions like severity, spatial extent, and duration, making it difficult to characterize. The agricultural sector is especially susceptible to drought, which is a primary cause of crop failures and poses a significant threat to global food security. To address these risks, it is crucial to develop effective methods for identifying, classifying, and monitoring agricultural drought, thereby aiding in planning and mitigation efforts. Researchers have developed various tools, including agricultural drought indices, to quantify severity levels and determine the onset and evolution of droughts. These tools help in early-stage forecasting and ongoing monitoring of drought conditions. The field has been significantly advanced by remote sensing technology, which now offers high-resolution spatial and temporal data, improving our capacity to monitor and assess agricultural drought. Despite these technological advancements, the unpredictable nature of environmental conditions continues to pose challenges in drought assessment. It remains essential to provide an overview of agricultural drought indices, incorporating both conventional methods and modern remote sensing-based indices used in drought monitoring and assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Impacts on Agriculture and Mitigation Measures)
20 pages, 5128 KiB  
Article
Hydrocarbon Traps for the Air Intake System: Component Test Rig and SHED Test Procedure for Determining Their Efficiencies
by Matthias Brunnermeier
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091128 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 652
Abstract
Hydrocarbon traps in the air intake system (AIS) are a common method for controlling evaporative emissions from the air intake path. Several different systems are available, but there is no standard method for determining their efficiencies. Therefore, a component test rig for hydrocarbon [...] Read more.
Hydrocarbon traps in the air intake system (AIS) are a common method for controlling evaporative emissions from the air intake path. Several different systems are available, but there is no standard method for determining their efficiencies. Therefore, a component test rig for hydrocarbon traps was developed. Some optimizations were necessary to achieve emission characteristics observed in engine measurements. Using this setup, several measurements were performed on four different hydrocarbon traps. The results were in reasonable agreement with those from engine measurements. Two different hydrocarbon (HC) traps were selected for further studies. In these studies, the repeatability and the dependency of the emission mass level were investigated. Furthermore, the hydrocarbon concentration in the air filter box was determined using point source flame ionization detector (FID) sampling and a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor. The data showed a correlation with the emission mass determined in a sealed housing emission determination (SHED) test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies for Observation of Air Pollution)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1748 KiB  
Article
Emissions of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Dibenzofurans during Coffee Roasting: Exploring the Influence of Roasting Methods and Formulations
by Li-Man Lin, I-Jen Chen, Bo-Wun Huang, Nicholas Kiprotich Cheruiyot and Guo-Ping Chang-Chien
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091127 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 771
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions during the roasting of green Arabica coffee and coffee formulations containing alcohol, sugar, and honey were investigated in this study. Fast and slow roasting methods, which took 5.62 and 9.65 min to achieve a light roast, respectively, [...] Read more.
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions during the roasting of green Arabica coffee and coffee formulations containing alcohol, sugar, and honey were investigated in this study. Fast and slow roasting methods, which took 5.62 and 9.65 min to achieve a light roast, respectively, were used to evaluate the emissions. The concentrations in the flue gas during the fast roasting of green coffee (0.0296 ng Nm−3 and 0.00364 ng WHO-TEQ Nm−3) were 13.9% and 70.5% higher than during slow roasting, respectively. However, this was only the trend for some formulations, and no significant differences in concentrations were found between the methods at p = 0.05. Thus, the slow roasting method might not necessarily reduce formation when additives are included. The emission factors were 2.86 ng kg−1 and 0.352 ng WHO-TEQ kg−1, and 4.17 ng kg−1 and 0.176 ng WHO-TEQ kg−1 for the fast and slow roasting of green coffee, respectively. Further investigations are warranted to understand the formation mechanism, assess potential health risks, and explore mitigation strategies. These findings have implications for both coffee processing industries and regulatory bodies, as understanding the impact of roasting methods and additives could inform the development of cleaner production practices and targeted emission reduction policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in Air)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1873 KiB  
Article
A New Method Proposed for the Estimation of Exposure to Atmospheric Pollution through the Analysis of Black Pigments on the Lung Surface
by Dunia Waked, Mariana Matera Veras, Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva and Ana Paula Cremasco Takano
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091126 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 591
Abstract
Megacities can be considered excellent laboratories for studying the effects of the urban environment on human health. Typically, exposure to pollution is estimated according to daily or annual averages of pollutant concentrations, collected at monitoring stations, using satellite data for remote sensing of [...] Read more.
Megacities can be considered excellent laboratories for studying the effects of the urban environment on human health. Typically, exposure to pollution is estimated according to daily or annual averages of pollutant concentrations, collected at monitoring stations, using satellite data for remote sensing of pollutant levels, considering proximity to major roads, or through personal exposure monitoring with portable sensors. However, these approaches fall short in identifying individual exposure values over a lifetime. It is well established that individuals living in large urban areas inhale atmospheric particles containing carbonaceous components, resulting in the deposition of black pigments in lung tissue, known as black carbon or anthracosis. This study aims to detail the procedures for assessing the deposition of such pigments, which serve as an estimate of an individual’s exposure to atmospheric pollution particles. Data collection involves administering detailed questionnaires and capturing lung images in the autopsy room. The analysis is based on macroscopic quantification of black pigments, supplemented by an evaluation of personal habits and the clinical histories of the individuals. This method of estimating lifetime exposure to inhaled particles provides a valuable tool for understanding the correlation between urban living and its potential health effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 18384 KiB  
Article
Calibration of Typhoon Track Forecasts Based on Deep Learning Methods
by Chengchen Tao, Zhizu Wang, Yilun Tian, Yaoyao Han, Keke Wang, Qiang Li and Juncheng Zuo
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091125 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 728
Abstract
An accurate forecast of typhoon tracks is crucial for disaster warning and mitigation. However, existing numerical weather prediction models, such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, still exhibit significant errors in track forecasts. This study aims to improve forecast accuracy by [...] Read more.
An accurate forecast of typhoon tracks is crucial for disaster warning and mitigation. However, existing numerical weather prediction models, such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, still exhibit significant errors in track forecasts. This study aims to improve forecast accuracy by correcting WRF-forecasted tracks using deep learning models, including Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) + Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) + Wide and Deep Learning (WDL), BiLSTM + Convolutional Gated Recurrent Unit (ConvGRU) + WDL, and BiLSTM + ConvLSTM + Extreme Deep Factorization Machine (xDeepFM), with a comparison to the Kalman Filter. The results demonstrate that the BiLSTM + ConvLSTM + WDL model reduces the 72 h track prediction error (TPE) from 255.18 km to 159.23 km, representing a 37.6% improvement over the original WRF model, and exhibits significant advantages across all evaluation metrics, particularly in key indicators such as Bias2, Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Sequence. The decomposition of MSE further validates the importance of the BiLSTM, ConvLSTM, WDL, and Temporal Normalization (TN) layers in enhancing the model’s spatio-temporal feature-capturing ability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Atmospheric Sciences)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2158 KiB  
Article
Application of an Empirical Model to Improve Maximum Value Predictions in CFD-RANS: Insights from Four Scientific Domains
by George Efthimiou
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091124 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1000
Abstract
This study introduces an empirical model designed to predict the maximum values of time-dependent data across four turbulence-related fields: hydrogen combustion in renewable energy systems, urban microclimate effects on cultural heritage, shipping emissions, and road vehicle emissions. The model, which is based on [...] Read more.
This study introduces an empirical model designed to predict the maximum values of time-dependent data across four turbulence-related fields: hydrogen combustion in renewable energy systems, urban microclimate effects on cultural heritage, shipping emissions, and road vehicle emissions. The model, which is based on the mean, standard deviation, and integral time scale, employs two parameters: a fixed exponent ‘ν’ (0.3) reflecting time scale sensitivity, and a variable parameter ‘b’ that accounts for application-specific uncertainties. Integrated into the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) framework, specifically the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) methodology, the model addresses the RANS approach’s limitation in predicting extreme values due to its inherent averaging process. By incorporating the empirical model, this study enhances RANS simulations’ ability to predict critical values, such as peak hydrogen concentrations and maximum urban wind speeds, which is essential for safety and reliability assessments. Validation against experimental and numerical data across the four fields demonstrates strong agreement, highlighting the model’s potential to improve CFD-RANS predictions of extreme events. This advancement offers significant implications for future CFD-RANS applications, particularly in scenarios demanding fast and reliable maximum value predictions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 21981 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Scale Analysis of the Extreme Precipitation in Southern Brazil in April/May 2024
by Michelle Simões Reboita, Enrique Vieira Mattos, Bruno César Capucin, Diego Oliveira de Souza and Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091123 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Since 2020, southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State has been affected by extreme precipitation episodes caused by different atmospheric systems. However, the most extreme was registered between the end of April and the beginning of May 2024. This extreme precipitation caused [...] Read more.
Since 2020, southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State has been affected by extreme precipitation episodes caused by different atmospheric systems. However, the most extreme was registered between the end of April and the beginning of May 2024. This extreme precipitation caused floods in most parts of the state, affecting 2,398,255 people and leading to 183 deaths and 27 missing persons. Due to the severity of this episode, we need to understand its drivers. In this context, the main objective of this study is a multi-scale analysis of the extreme precipitation between 26 April and 5 May, i.e., an analysis of the large-scale patterns of the atmosphere, a description of the synoptic environment, and an analysis of the mesoscale viewpoint (cloud-top features and lightning). Data from different sources (reanalysis, satellite, radar, and pluviometers) were used in this study, and different methods were applied. The National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (CEMADEN) registered accumulated rainfall above 400 mm between 26 April and 5 May using 27 pluviometers located in the central-northern part of RS. The monthly volumes reached 667 mm and 803 mm, respectively, for April and May 2024, against a climatological average of 151 mm and 137 mm for these months. The maximum precipitation recorded was 300 mm in a single day on 30 April 2024. From a large-scale point of view, an anomalous heat source in the western Indian Ocean triggered a Rossby wave that contributed to a barotropic anticyclonic anomalous circulation over mid-southeastern Brazil. While the precipitant systems were inhibited over this region (the synoptic view), the anomalous stronger subtropical jet southward of the anticyclonic circulation caused uplift over RS State and, consequently, conditions leading to mesoscale convective system (MCS) development. In addition, the low-level jet east of the Andes transported warm and moist air to southern Brazil, which also interacted with two cold fronts that reached RS during the 10-day period, helping to establish the precipitation. Severe deep MCSs (with a cloud-top temperature lower than −80 °C) were responsible for a high lightning rate (above 10 flashes km−2 in 10 days) and accumulated precipitation (above 600 mm in 10 days), as observed by satellite measurements. This high volume of rainfall caused an increase in soil moisture, which exceeded a volume fraction of 0.55, making water infiltration into the soil difficult and, consequently, favoring flood occurrence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Weather and Climate Extremes: Observations, Modeling, and Impacts (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1912 KiB  
Article
Tire Wear Emissions by Highways: Impact of Season and Surface Type
by Jason A. Miech, Saed Aker, Zhaobo Zhang, Hasan Ozer, Matthew P. Fraser and Pierre Herckes
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091122 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 992
Abstract
With the increasing number of electric vehicles taking to the roads, the impact of tailpipe emissions on air quality will decrease, while resuspended road dust and brake/tire wear will become more significant. This study quantified PM10 emissions from tire wear under a [...] Read more.
With the increasing number of electric vehicles taking to the roads, the impact of tailpipe emissions on air quality will decrease, while resuspended road dust and brake/tire wear will become more significant. This study quantified PM10 emissions from tire wear under a range of real highway conditions with measurements across different seasons and roadway surface types in Phoenix, Arizona. Tire wear was quantified in the sampled PM10 using benzothiazoles (vulcanization accelerators) as tire markers. The measured emission factors had a range of 0.005–0.22 mg km−1 veh−1 and are consistent with an earlier experimental study conducted in Phoenix. However, these results are lower than values typically found in the literature and values calculated from emissions models, such as MOVES (MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator). We found no significant difference in tire wear PM10 emission factors for different surface types (asphalt vs. diamond grind concrete) but saw a significant decrease in the winter compared to the summer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Matters in Ambient Air: Characteristics, Composition, and Sources)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 12774 KiB  
Article
Monthly Characteristics and Source–Receptor Relationships of Anthropogenic Total Nitrate in Northeast Asia
by Moon-Seok Kang, Da-Som Park, Chan-Byeong Chae, Young Sunwoo and Ki-Ho Hong
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091121 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 701
Abstract
The complex nonlinear characteristics of atmospheric chemistry necessitate the development of new methods for calculating source–receptor (S–R) relationships for secondary air pollutants. In this study, the monthly characteristics and S–R relationships of anthropogenic total nitrate (i.e., the sum of N from nitric acid, [...] Read more.
The complex nonlinear characteristics of atmospheric chemistry necessitate the development of new methods for calculating source–receptor (S–R) relationships for secondary air pollutants. In this study, the monthly characteristics and S–R relationships of anthropogenic total nitrate (i.e., the sum of N from nitric acid, inorganic nitrate, and peroxyacetyl nitrate) in Northeast Asia were simulated and analyzed. The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ), Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale (MM5), and Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions (SMOKE) models were employed for air quality modeling, meteorological fields, and emissions processing, respectively. The study area encompassed Republic of Korea, Japan, and most of China. Five source/receptor regions were defined to derive the S–R relationships: three in China, one in Republic of Korea, and one in Japan. To produce data for the calculation of the S–R relationship, several experiments were conducted with a 20% reduction in NOx emission sources. As a result of the S–R relationships, China was rarely impacted by the other two countries. The total depositions in other countries were significantly dominated by China (i.e., 43.5% and 40.7% in Republic of Korea and Japan, respectively, and up to 82.3% in December for Republic of Korea). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3387 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Characteristics of Ammonia Concentration by Region in Korea
by In-Ho Song, Hyun-Woong Kim, Jong-Sung Park, Seung-Myung Park, Jae-Yun Lee, Eun-Jung Nam, Yong-Jae Lim, Jung-Min Park, Myung-Soo Yoo, Seog-Yeon Cho and Hye-Jung Shin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091120 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1095
Abstract
In this study, the characteristics of ammonia and their effects on secondary particulate matter (PM) formation were analyzed by region in Korea in 2020. The NH3 concentration was high in GJ (11.4 ppb), a neighboring agricultural area, followed by DJ (9.0 ppb) [...] Read more.
In this study, the characteristics of ammonia and their effects on secondary particulate matter (PM) formation were analyzed by region in Korea in 2020. The NH3 concentration was high in GJ (11.4 ppb), a neighboring agricultural area, followed by DJ (9.0 ppb) and SE (8.6 ppb), which are located in urban areas. On the other hand, BI (2.6 ppb) and JI (4.5 ppb), which are background regions, demonstrated a lower concentration than other areas. Seasonally, ammonia was high in spring and summer, and it generally increased when human activities are active. Therefore, it is believed that the ammonia in the atmosphere not only changes depending on local emissions, but also based on temperature-dependent phase distribution characteristics. For SE and GJ, regions with relatively high ammonia concentrations, investigations into the effect of ammonia on secondary PM formation were conducted. In both regions, the ammonium-to-sulfate mole ratio tended to increase with increasing ammonia or PM2.5 concentration. It can be assumed that the PM2.5 concentration increases as nitrates are formed under the ammonia-sufficient condition. The adjusted gas ratio is generally greater than 4, indicating that there is a lot of free ammonia. Thus, it is estimated that a reduction in ammonia would not be effective to restrain nitrate formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 27897 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Urban Canopy Scheme TERRA-URB in the ICON Model at Hectometric Scale over the Naples Metropolitan Area
by Davide Cinquegrana, Myriam Montesarchio, Alessandra Lucia Zollo and Edoardo Bucchignani
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091119 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 626
Abstract
The present work is focused on the validation of the urban canopy scheme TERRA-URB, implemented in ICON weather forecast model. TERRA-URB is used to capture the behavior of urbanized areas as sources of heat fluxes, mainly due to anthropogenic activities that can influence [...] Read more.
The present work is focused on the validation of the urban canopy scheme TERRA-URB, implemented in ICON weather forecast model. TERRA-URB is used to capture the behavior of urbanized areas as sources of heat fluxes, mainly due to anthropogenic activities that can influence temperature, humidity, and other atmospheric variables of the surrounding areas. Heat fluxes occur especially during the nighttime in large urbanized areas, characterized by poor vegetation, and are responsible for the formation of Urban Heat and Dry Island, i.e., higher temperatures and lower humidity compared to rural areas. They can be exacerbated under severe conditions, with dangerous consequences for people living in these urban areas. For these reasons, the need of accurately forecasting these phenomena is particularly felt. The present work represents one of the first attempts of using a very high resolution (about 600 m) in a Numerical Weather Prediction model. Performances of this advanced version of ICON have been investigated over a domain located in southern Italy, including the urban metropolitan area of Naples, considering a week characterized by extremely high temperatures. Results highlight that the activation of TERRA-URB scheme entails a better representation of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed in urban areas, especially during nighttime, also allowing a proper reproduction of Urban Heat and Dry Island effects. Over rural areas, instead, no significant differences are found in model results when the urban canopy scheme is used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 5110 KiB  
Article
Development of Dust Emission Prediction Model for Open-Pit Mines Based on SHPB Experiment and Image Recognition Method
by Shanzhou Du, Hao Chen, Xiaohua Ding, Zhouquan Liao and Xiang Lu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1118; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091118 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 451
Abstract
Open-pit coal mining offers high resource recovery, excellent safety conditions, and large-scale production. However, the process generates significant dust, leading to occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis among miners and adversely affecting nearby vegetation through dust deposition, which hinders photosynthesis and causes ecological damage. [...] Read more.
Open-pit coal mining offers high resource recovery, excellent safety conditions, and large-scale production. However, the process generates significant dust, leading to occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis among miners and adversely affecting nearby vegetation through dust deposition, which hinders photosynthesis and causes ecological damage. This limits the transition of open-pit mining to a green, low-carbon model. Among these processes, blasting generates the most dust and has the widest impact range, but the specific amount of dust generated has not yet been thoroughly studied. This study integrates indoor experiments, theoretical analyses, and field tests, employing the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system to conduct impact loading tests on coal–rock samples under pressures ranging from 0.13 MPa to 2.0 MPa. The results indicate that as the impact load increases, the proportion of large-sized blocks decreases while smaller fragments and powdered samples increase, signifying intensified sample fragmentation. Using stress wave attenuation theory, this study translates indoor impact loadings to field blast shock waves, revealing the relationship between blasting dust mass fraction and impact pressure. Field tests at the Haerwusu open-pit coal mine validated the formula. Using image recognition technology to analyze post-blast muck-pile fragmentation, the estimated dust production closely matched the calculated values, with an error margin of less than 10%. This formula provides valuable insights for estimating dust production and improving dust control measures during open-pit mine blasting operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Pollution Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 7750 KiB  
Article
Effects of Wildfire and Logging on Soil CO2 Efflux in Scots Pine Forests of Siberia
by Elena A. Kukavskaya, Anna V. Bogorodskaya, Ludmila V. Buryak, Olga P. Kalenskaya and Susan G. Conard
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091117 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Wildfires and logging play an important role in regulating soil carbon fluxes in forest ecosystems. In Siberia, large areas are disturbed by fires and logging annually. Climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure have resulted in the expansion of disturbed areas in recent decades. [...] Read more.
Wildfires and logging play an important role in regulating soil carbon fluxes in forest ecosystems. In Siberia, large areas are disturbed by fires and logging annually. Climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure have resulted in the expansion of disturbed areas in recent decades. However, few studies have focused on the effects of these disturbances on soil CO2 efflux in the vast Siberian areas. The objective of our research was to evaluate differences in CO2 efflux from soils to the atmosphere between undisturbed sites and sites affected by wildfire and logging in Scots pine forests of southern Siberia. We examined 35 plots (undisturbed forest, burned forest, logged plots, and logged and burned plots) on six study sites in the Angara region and four sites in the Zabaikal region. Soil CO2 efflux was measured using an LI-800 infrared gas analyzer. We found that both fire and logging significantly reduced soil efflux in the first years after a disturbance due to a reduction in vegetation biomass and consumption of the forest floor. We found a substantially lower CO2 efflux in forests burned by high-severity fires (74% less compared to undisturbed forests) than in forests burned by moderate-severity (60% less) and low-severity (37% less) fires. Clearcut logging resulted in 6–60% lower soil CO2 efflux at most study sites, while multiple disturbances (logging and fire) had 48–94% lower efflux. The soil efflux rate increased exponentially with increasing soil temperature in undisturbed Scots pine forests (p < 0.001) and on logged plots (p < 0.03), while an inverse relationship to soil temperature was observed in burned forests (p < 0.03). We also found a positive relationship (R = 0.60–0.83, p < 0.001) between ground cover depth and soil CO2 efflux across all the plots studied. Our results demonstrate the importance of disturbance factors in the assessment of regional and global carbon fluxes. The drastic changes in CO2 flux rates following fire and logging should be incorporated into carbon balance models to improve their reliability in a changing environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fluxes in the Pan-Arctic Region)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1623 KiB  
Article
Research on the Mechanism of the Influence of Thermal Stress on Tourists’ Environmental Responsibility Behavior Intention: An Example from a Desert Climate Region, China
by Dong Li, Pengtao Wang, Jingyun Guan, Xiaoliang Xu and Kaiyu Li
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091116 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 725
Abstract
The desert climate region attracts a multitude of tourists due to its distinctive landforms and climatic conditions, however, it also presents challenges for environmental protection. This article constructs a theoretical model that examines the influence of thermal stress on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior [...] Read more.
The desert climate region attracts a multitude of tourists due to its distinctive landforms and climatic conditions, however, it also presents challenges for environmental protection. This article constructs a theoretical model that examines the influence of thermal stress on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior intention (ERBI), with anticipated pride and anticipated guilt serving as mediating factors. An empirical study is conducted in Turpan, Xinjiang, which represents a typical inland arid area in China. The results indicate that: (1) thermal stress does not have a significant direct impact on ERBI, nevertheless, anticipated pride and anticipated guilt play crucial mediating roles between thermal stress and this intention. (2) Furthermore, environmental knowledge positively moderates the relationship between anticipated pride, anticipated guilt, and the ERBI. This research contributes to the understanding of how tourists’ anticipatory emotions affect their ERBI in desert climate regions while deepening our comprehension of the driving mechanisms behind such intentions among tourists. Moreover, it provides theoretical references for promoting environmentally responsible behaviors among tourists visiting desert climate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extreme Climate Events: Causes, Risk and Adaptation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 2008 KiB  
Review
A Review on the Arctic–Midlatitudes Connection: Interactive Impacts, Physical Mechanisms, and Nonstationary
by Shuoyi Ding, Xiaodan Chen, Xuanwen Zhang, Xiang Zhang and Peiqiang Xu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091115 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 667
Abstract
In light of the rapid Arctic warming and continuous reduction in Arctic Sea ice, the complex two-way Arctic–midlatitudes connection has become a focal point in recent climate research. In this paper, we review the current understanding of the interactive influence between midlatitude atmospheric [...] Read more.
In light of the rapid Arctic warming and continuous reduction in Arctic Sea ice, the complex two-way Arctic–midlatitudes connection has become a focal point in recent climate research. In this paper, we review the current understanding of the interactive influence between midlatitude atmospheric variability and Arctic Sea ice or thermal conditions on interannual timescales. As sea ice diminishes, in contrast to the Arctic warming (cooling) in boreal winter (summer), Eurasia and North America have experienced anomalously cold (warm) conditions and record snowfall (rainfall), forming an opposite oscillation between the Arctic and midlatitudes. Both statistical analyses and modeling studies have demonstrated the significant impacts of autumn–winter Arctic variations on winter midlatitude cooling, cold surges, and snowfall, as well as the potential contributions of spring–summer Arctic variations to midlatitude warming, heatwaves and rainfall, particularly focusing on the role of distinct regional sea ice. The possible physical processes can be categorized into tropospheric and stratospheric pathways, with the former encompassing the swirling jet stream, horizontally propagated Rossby waves, and transient eddy–mean flow interaction, and the latter manifested as anomalous vertical propagation of quasi-stationary planetary waves and associated downward control of stratospheric anomalies. In turn, atmospheric prevailing patterns in the midlatitudes also contribute to Arctic Sea ice or thermal condition anomalies by meridional energy transport. The Arctic–midlatitudes connection fluctuates over time and is influenced by multiple factors (e.g., continuous melting of climatological sea ice, different locations and magnitudes of sea ice anomalies, internal variability, and other external forcings), undoubtedly increasing the difficulty of mechanism studies and the uncertainty surrounding predictions of midlatitude weather and climate. In conclusion, we provide a succinct summary and offer suggestions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arctic Atmosphere–Sea Ice Interaction and Impacts)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-126
Previous Issue
Next Issue
Back to TopTop