21. Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical propertiesJesús Yus-Díez, Marina Ealo, Marco Pandolfi, Noemi Perez, Gloria Titos, Griša Močnik, Xavier Querol, A. Alastuey, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Accurate measurements of the horizontal and vertical distribution of atmospheric aerosol particle optical properties are key for a better understanding of their impact on the climate. Here we present the results of a measurement campaign based on instrumented flights over north-eastern Spain. We measured vertical profiles of size-segregated atmospheric particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations and multi-wavelength scattering and absorption coefficients in the western Mediterranean basin (WMB). The campaign took place during typical summer conditions, characterized by the development of a vertical multi-layer structure, under both summer regional pollution episodes (REGs) and Saharan dust events (SDEs). REG patterns in the region form under high insolation and scarce precipitation in summer, favouring layering of highly aged fine-PM strata in the lower few kma.s.l.
The REG scenario prevailed during the entire measurement campaign. Additionally, African dust outbreaks and plumes from northern African wildfires influenced the study area. The vertical profiles of climate-relevant intensive optical parameters such as single-scattering albedo (SSA); the asymmetry parameter (g); scattering, absorption and SSA Ångström exponents (SAE, AAE and SSAAE); and PM mass scattering and absorption cross sections (MSC and MAC) were derived from the measurements. Moreover, we compared the aircraft measurements with those performed at two GAW–ACTRIS (Global Atmosphere Watch–Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases) surface measurement stations located in north-eastern Spain, namely Montseny (MSY; regional background) and Montsec d'Ares (MSA; remote site).
Airborne in situ measurements and ceilometer ground-based remote measurements identified aerosol air masses at altitudes up to more than 3.5 kma.s.l.
The vertical profiles of the optical properties markedly changed according to the prevailing atmospheric scenarios. During SDE the SAE was low along the profiles, reaching values < 1.0 in the dust layers. Correspondingly, SSAAE was negative, and AAE reached values up to 2.0–2.5, as a consequence of the UV absorption increased by the presence of the coarse dust particles. During REG, the SAE increased to > 2.0, and the asymmetry parameter g was rather low (0.5–0.6) due to the prevalence of fine PM, which was characterized by an AAE close to 1.0, suggesting a fossil fuel combustion origin. During REG, some of the layers featured larger AAE (> 1.5), relatively low SSA at 525 nm (< 0.85) and high MSC (> 9 m2 g−1) and were associated with the influence of PM from wildfires. Overall, the SSA and MSC near the ground ranged around 0.85 and 3 m2 g−1, respectively, and increased at higher altitudes, reaching values above 0.95 and up to 9 m2 g−1. The PM, MSC and MAC were on average larger during REG compared to SDE due to the larger scattering and absorption efficiency of fine PM compared with dust. The SSA and MSC had quite similar vertical profiles and often both increased with height indicating the progressive shift toward PM with a larger scattering efficiency with altitude.
This study contributes to our understanding of regional-aerosol vertical distribution and optical properties in the WMB, and the results will be useful for improving future climate projections and remote sensing or satellite retrieval algorithms.
Keywords: aerosol, climate change, Saharan dust, black carbon, aerosol absorption, aerosol scattering
Published in RUNG: 14.01.2021; Views: 2418; Downloads: 0
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22. What else needs to be said on Climate Change and Droughts: Future ChalangesKlemen Bergant, unpublished conference contribution Abstract: Extreme weather events, including droughts, and a failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation are the most urgent global risks taking into account their likelihood and impact. The economic loss related to extreme weather events is increasing. Observations show that droughts became more frequent and severe in the last decades across the entire Europe, and according to the climate projections the drought risk will continue to increase in 21st century, therefore we need to take action now. Efficient drought monitoring and early warning system is the basic climate change adaptation measure. Different drought monitoring and warning systems are available on local, regional and global level and for efficient management of drought risk we need to connect those tools and integrate them into multi-hazard early warning systems.
Keywords: climate change, extreme weather events, droughts, monitoring, early warnings
Published in RUNG: 07.01.2021; Views: 2440; Downloads: 0
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23. Biogenic Sources of Ice Nucleating Particles at the High Arctic Site Villum Research StationTina Šantl Temkiv, Robert Lange, David Beddows, Urška Rauter, Stephanie Pilgaard, Manuel Dall’Osto, Nina Gunde-Cimerman, Andreas Massling, Heike Wex, 2019, original scientific article Keywords: Arctic atmosphere, Arctic climate, biogenic ice nucleating particles, airborne bacteria, bioaerosols, ice nucleating particles
Published in RUNG: 04.01.2021; Views: 2551; Downloads: 0
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24. A single-beam photothermal interferometer for in situ measurements of aerosol light absorptionBradley Visser, Jannis Röhrbein, Peter Steigmeier, Luka Drinovec, Griša Močnik, Ernest Weingartner, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: We have developed a novel single-beam photothermal interferometer and present here its application for the measurement of aerosol light absorption. The use of only a single laser beam allows for a compact optical set-up and significantly easier alignment compared to standard dual-beam photothermal interferometers, making it ideal for field measurements. Due to a unique configuration of the reference interferometer arm, light absorption by aerosols can be determined directly – even in the presence of light-absorbing gases. The instrument can be calibrated directly with light-absorbing gases, such as NO2, and can be used to calibrate other light absorption instruments. The detection limits (1σ) for absorption for 10 and 60 s averaging times were determined to be 14.6 and 7.4 Mm−1, respectively, which for a mass absorption cross section of 10 m2 g−1 leads to equivalent black carbon concentration detection limits of 1460 and 740 ng m−3, respectively. The detection limit could be reduced further by improvements to the isolation of the instrument and the signal detection and processing schemes employed.
Keywords: aerosol, aerosol absorption, black carbon, photo-thermal interferometer, climate change
Published in RUNG: 29.12.2020; Views: 2587; Downloads: 74
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25. Air quality and climate change - how smart can the cities be?Griša Močnik, Matevž Lenarčič, 2020, unpublished invited conference lecture Abstract: What starts as an air quality problem in urban areas, ends up as a climate change problem globally. Emissions from cities and the power generating facilities powering the cities have local, regional and global effects. We show examples spanning these scales with very practical advice on how to start abatement locally.
Keywords: air quality, climate change, black carbon, aerosol, co2, smart city
Published in RUNG: 11.09.2020; Views: 3181; Downloads: 0
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27. EFFECTS OF POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGES ON THE BEHAVIOUR, FEEDING RATE AND REPRODUCTION OF SELECTED SOIL INVERTEBRATESNijat Rahimli, 2018, master's thesis Abstract: As a consequence of global climate change, the biodiversity of soil invertebrates is impacted. Elevated temperatures and moisture alterations in soil have deleterious effects on soil invertebrates. These organisms are important bioindicators of changes in soil ecosystems. Therefore, we investigated the effect of soil moisture, as potential impacts of climate change, on the behaviour, feeding rate and reproduction rates of two soil invertebrate species: woodlice (Porcellio scaber) and earthworms (Eisenia andrei) in laboratory experiments. Our results indicate that soil invertebrates are highly sensitive to desiccation. The feeding activity of woodlice and the reproduction rate of earthworms are likely dependent on soil moisture.
Keywords: Climate change, Soil invertebrates, Soil ecology, Isopods, Earthworms
Published in RUNG: 14.02.2018; Views: 4649; Downloads: 225
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