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Abstract: The NASA Convective Processes Experiment - Cabo Verde (CPEX-CV) field campaign took place in September 2022 out of Sal Island, Cabo Verde. A unique payload aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft equipped with advanced remote sensing and in situ instrumentation, in conjunction with radiosonde launches and satellite observations, allowed CPEX-CV to target the coupling between atmospheric dynamics, marine boundary layer properties, convection, and the dust-laden Saharan Air Layer in the data-sparse tropical East Atlantic region. CPEX-CV provided measurements of African Easterly Wave environments, diurnal cycle impacts on convective lifecycle, and several Saharan dust outbreaks, including the highest dust optical depth observed by the DC-8 interacting with what would become Tropical Storm Hermine. Preliminary results from CPEX-CV underscore the positive impact of dedicated tropical East Atlantic observations on downstream forecast skill, including sampling environmental forcings impacting the development of several non-developing and developing convective systems such as Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. Combined airborne radar, lidar, and radiometer measurements uniquely provide near-storm environments associated with convection on various spatiotemporal scales and, with in situ observations, insights into controls on Saharan dust properties with transport. The DC-8 also collaborated with the European Space Agency to perform coordinated validation flights under the Aeolus spaceborne wind lidar and over the Mindelo ground site, highlighting the enhanced sampling potential through partnership opportunities. CPEX-CV engaged in professional development through dedicated team building exercises that equipped the team with a cohesive approach for targeting CPEX-CV science objectives and promoted active participation of scientists across all career stages.
Keywords: convective processesž, Saharan dust, aerosol, airborne measurements
Published in RUNG: 09.09.2024; Views: 118; Downloads: 4
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Keywords: air pollution, extensive PM chemical characterization, positive matrix factorization (PMF), new source identification, health metric
Published in RUNG: 03.06.2024; Views: 864; Downloads: 4
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Abstract: The present study investigates and compares the ground and in-flight performance of three miniaturized aerosol absorption sensors integrated on board small-sized Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). These sensors were evaluated during two contrasted field campaigns performed at an urban site, impacted mainly by local traffic and domestic wood burning sources (Athens, Greece), and at a remote regional background site, impacted by long-range transported sources including dust (Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory, Agia Marina Xyliatou, Cyprus). The miniaturized sensors were first intercompared at the ground-level against two commercially available instruments used as a reference. The measured signal of the miniaturized sensors was converted into the absorption coefficient and equivalent black carbon concentration (eBC). When applicable, signal saturation corrections were applied, following the suggestions of the manufacturers. The aerosol absorption sensors exhibited similar behavior against the reference instruments during the two campaigns, despite the diversity of the aerosol origin, chemical composition, sources, and concentration levels. The deviation from the reference during both campaigns concerning (eBC) mass was less than 8 %, while for the absorption coefficient it was at least 15 %. This indicates that those sensors that report black carbon mass are tuned and corrected to measure eBC more accurately than the absorption coefficient. The overall potential use of miniature aerosol absorption sensors on board small UASs is also illustrated. UAS-based absorption measurements were used to investigate the vertical distribution of eBC over Athens up to 1 km above sea level during January 2016, exceeding the top of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Our results reveal a heterogeneous boundary layer concentration of absorbing aerosol within the PBL intensified in the early morning hours due to the concurrent peak traffic emissions at ground-level and the fast development of the boundary layer. After the full development of the PBL, homogenous concentrations are observed from 100 m a.g.l. to the PBL top.
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Systems, Cyprus Atmospheric Observatory, eBC, vertical profiling, microaethalometer
Published in RUNG: 13.05.2024; Views: 660; Downloads: 3
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Keywords: Antarktični sporazum, polarne raziskave, podnebne spremembe, raziskovalci
Published in RUNG: 24.04.2024; Views: 1322; Downloads: 3
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Abstract: The Alpine region undergoes a faster and more pronounced climate change than surrounding lowlands and, therefore, is a time machine showing the things to come in a changing climate and environment. Under the influence of a robust warming trend, witnessing an ascent of >1°C since the 1980s significant effects are visible and measurable in atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and most apparently the cryosphere. The Virtual Alpine Observatory is an assemblage comprising European Alpine Observatories, high alpine research facilities, data archives, and supercomputing centers, seamlessly interwoven through shared infrastructure and collaborative research pursuits. It is the answer to how the complex Alpine environmental system can be addressed by an interdisciplinary, cross-border collaborating research paradigm. At its core, the primary objective is to orchestrate collective endeavors aimed at observing, comprehending, and prognosticating the ramifications of climate change on the Alpine expanse. This extends to the multifaceted facets of the environment in multiple aspects. This alliance of researchers and data-gathering institutions spanning the Alpine landscape and analogous mountainous terrains in Europe propels the exploration of data patterns transcending national boundaries. In doing so, it creates a reservoir of data, knowledge and scientific approaches that surpasses the cumulative understanding derived from its individual constituents. In the upcoming discourse, we illuminate the network's future goals, composition, unveil forthcoming research initiatives, expound upon data availabilities, and deliberate on the trajectories that lie ahead for collaborative efforts. The VAO network is substantially funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection.
Keywords: Alpine observatory, climate change, Virtual Alpine Observatory
Published in RUNG: 18.03.2024; Views: 1516; Downloads: 4
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