The surface energy budget on the debris-covered Koxkar Glacier in China

Energy fluxes were measured by using the eddy covariance system plus an automatic weather station at the debris-covered area on Koxkar Glacier from March to August, 2009. The coldest month of the glacier was January, and air temperature reached a maximum in July and August. Wind velocity at 2.0 m was higher in summer and lower in winter as a whole. Precipitation was concentrated from May to September and accounted for about 80 % of the total. Daily latent heat fluxes were higher than daily sensible heat fluxes during the observation period. The main reason for higher latent heat fluxes from March to April was snow cover. From June to August, latent heat fluxes during the daytime were limited by surface water content, and were lower than sensible heat fluxes, but latent heat fluxes were higher than sensible heat fluxes during summer nights because of air convection in the debris layer. Summer evaporation was higher than in the spring, and evaporation was 53.7 % of the precipitation from 19 June to 23 August. The Bowen ratio ranged from ?2.0 to 2.0 at the site.     

Local climate change induced by groundwater overexploitation in a high Andean arid watershed,Laguna Lagunillas basin,northern Chile

The Laguna Lagunillas basin in the arid Andes of northern Chile exhibits a shallow aquifer and is exposed to extreme air temperature variations from 20 to ?25 °C. Between 1991 and 2012, groundwater levels in the Pampa Lagunillas aquifer fell from near-surface to ~15 m below ground level (bgl) due to severe overexploitation. In the same period, local mean monthly minimum temperatures started a declining trend, dropping by 3–8 °C relative to a nearby reference station. Meanwhile, mean monthly maximum summer temperatures shifted abruptly upwards by 2.7 °C on average in around 1996. The observed air temperature downturns and upturns are in accordance with detected anomalies in land-surface temperature imagery. Two major factors may be causing the local climate change. One is related to a water-table decline below the evaporative energy potential extinction depth of ~2 m bgl, which causes an up-heating of the bare soil surface and, in turn, influences the lower atmosphere. At the same time, the removal of near-surface groundwater reduces the thermal conductivity of the upper sedimentary layer, which consequently diminishes the heat exchange between the aquifer (constant heat source of ~10 °C) and the lower atmosphere during nights, leading to a severe dropping of minimum air temperatures. The observed critical water-level drawdown was 2–3 m bgl. Future and existing water-production projects in arid high Andean basins with shallow groundwater should avoid a decline of near-surface groundwater below 2 m bgl and take groundwater-climate interactions into account when identifying and monitoring potential environmental impacts.     

Thermal, mechanical and chemical influences on the performance of optical fibres for distributed temperature sensing in a hot geothermal well

Structural well-bore integrity is an important issue for sustainable provision of geothermal energy. Raman scattering based fibre optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) can help to monitor the status of a well and therefore help to optimize expensive work-over activities. This study reports on the installation of a fibre-optic cable in the cemented annulus behind the anchor casing in the high temperature geothermal well HE-53, Hellisheiði geothermal field, SW Iceland. Although the cable has been damaged during the installation, temperature data could be acquired during the entire length of installation down to 261.3 m. Temperature measurements were performed during the installation in spring 2009, during the onset of a flow test in summer 2009 and after a 8.5 month shut-in period in summer 2010. During the flow test, maximum temperatures of 230 °C were measured after 2 weeks fluid production. Using optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR), attenuation measurements at 850 and 1,300 nm enabled to identify mechanical, thermal, and chemical degradation along the optical fibre. The observed degradation led to erroneous temperature readings and limits, due to the optical budget of the DTS system, the accessible length of the fibre. The characteristics and the influence of the different degradation mechanisms on the accuracy of the DTS measurements are discussed and recommendations for an optimized installation are given.     

Soil radon in winter months under snowpack in Hokkaido, Japan

Soil radon (²²²Rn) has been monitored during winter months under cool-temperate deciduous stands of different surface geology in Tomakomai and in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Radon level was lower in Tomakomai of immature soil of porous volcanic ash emitted from an active volcano (Mt. Tarumae), compared with those in Sapporo of alluvial sediments. In Tomakomai, mean value of the ²²²Rn activity concentration was higher in winter (570 Bq m^?3) than in summer (350 Bq m^?3) at a depth of 1 m, which is consistent with the results in cold and dry winter reported in the literature. In contrast, soil radon decreasing with decreasing soil temperature from mid-September (5.0 kBq m^?3) remained low (2.6 kBq m^?3) under persistent snow in Sapporo, which had already been observed in the same location. Measurements of the activity concentrations of ²²²Rn in snow and in snow air as well as in soil air indicate that the small amount of ²²²Rn is released from the ground surface to the overlying snowpack with a ²²²Rn flux density of 0.4 mBq m^?2 s^?1 under thick snow cover in Sapporo.     

Risk occurrences of damaging frosts during the growing season of vegetables in the Elbe River lowland,the Czech Republic

This study has, for the first time, analysed in detail the risk occurrences of the last spring frost, first fall frost and the length of the frost-free period during the growing season of vegetable crops at a high horizontal resolution of 10 km in the Elbe River lowland in the Czech Republic. The daily minimum air temperature from 116 grid points throughout the studied area for the period 1961–2011 was used. The daily values of minimum air temperature ranges of 0 to ?1.1 °C, ?1.2 to ?2.2 °C and below ?2.2 °C were considered to constitute mild, moderate and severe frost intensities, respectively. Firstly, the spatiotemporal variability of the date of the last spring frost, the date of the first fall frost and the length of the frost-free period in the Elbe River lowland is provided. Secondly, the estimation of the probability of a later date in the spring and an earlier date in the fall for various severe frost events and the length of the frost-free period is determined. Third, the changes in the timing of the last and first frosts of the three severities, as well as the length of the frost-free period, are evaluated. From 1961 to 2011, the Elbe River lowland has experienced a decrease in the number of frost days, while the length of the frost-free period between the last spring frost and the first fall frost has increased. The temporal evolution of the frost-free period anomalies displays two distinct periods: a shortening of the frost-free period in the 1960s and an intensified lengthening of the frost-free period since the 1980s. Whereas the latest spring frost has ended on an earlier date across the Elbe River lowland, the first frost date in the fall has generally been delayed to a later date. The dates of the last spring frost have advanced by ?0.21 days per year on average. The fall dates are delayed up to 0.18 days per year, whereas the frost-free period is lengthening by up to 0.39 days per year on average. However, regional frost series suggests that the frost-free period exhibits a large amount of inter-annual variability. In terms of the growth of field vegetables, a late spring frost remains a risk factor, but the degree of risk has decreased. There is a 25 % chance of the occurrence of dangerous spring frosts during the planting of field vegetables after 3rd May, but after 15th May, the risk is only 10 %.     

Effect of land surface processes on the Tibetan Plateau’s past and its predicted response to global warming: an analytical investigation based on simulation results from the CMIP5 model

Complex interactions between the land surface and atmosphere and the exchange of water and energy have a significant impact on climate. The Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau in the world and is known as “Earth’s third pole”. Because of its unique natural geographical and climatic characteristics, it directly affects China’s climate, as well as the world’s climate, through its thermal and dynamic roles. In this study, the BCCCSM1.1 model for the simulation results of CMIP5 is used to analyze the variation of the land surface processes of the Tibetan Plateau and the possible linkages with temperature change. The analysis showed that, from 1850 to 2005, as temperature increases, the model shows surface downward short-wave radiation, upward short-wave radiation, and net radiation to decrease, and long-wave radiation to increase. Meanwhile, latent heat flux increases, whereas sensible heat flux decreases. Except for sensible heat flux, the correlation coefficients of land surface fluxes with surface air temperature are all significant at the 99 % significance level. The model results indicate rising temperature to cause the ablation of ice (or snow) cover and increasing leaf area index, with reduced snowfall, together with a series of other changes, resulting in increasing upward and downward long-wave radiation and changes in soil moisture, evaporation, latent heat flux, and water vapor in the air. However, rising temperature also reduces the difference between the surface and air temperature and the surface albedo, which lead to further reductions of downward and upward short-wave radiation. The surface air temperature in winter increases by 0.93 °C/100 years, whereas the change is at a minimum (0.66 °C/100 years) during the summer. Downward short-wave and net radiation demonstrate the largest decline in the summer, whereas upward short-wave radiation demonstrates its largest decline during the spring. Downward short-wave radiation is predominantly affected by air humidity, followed by the impact of total cloud fraction. The average downward short-wave and net radiation attain their maxima in May, whereas for upward short-wave radiation the maximum is in March. The model predicts surface temperature to increase under all the different representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios, with the rise under RCP8.5 reaching 5.1 °C/100 years. Long-wave radiation increases under the different emission scenarios, while downward short-wave radiation increases under the low- and medium-emission concentration pathways, but decreases under RCP8.5. Upward short-wave radiation reduces under the various emission scenarios, and the marginal growth decreases as the emission concentration increases.     

冰川消融对气候变化的响应——以乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川为例

目前气候变暖导致的冰川退缩,引起了广泛关注.以新疆天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川为例,根据1959年以来的观测资料,研究了冰川消融对气候变化的响应.结果表明:近50 a来冰川在表面粒雪特征、成冰带、冰川温度、面积、厚度及末端位置等方面发生了显著变化,而这些变化均与气温的升高有着密切的联系;冰川的退缩自20世纪80年代后,尤其是近10 a来出现了加速趋势.其原因除夏季气温升高外,还有两个重要因素,一是冰川温度升高造成冷储的减少,二是冰川表面反射率下降导致辐射能量接收的增强.冰川物质平衡在1986年之前由气温和降水共同决定,之后主要受气温控制.     

Paired Measurements of Foraminiferal d18O and Mg/Ca Ratios of Indian Monsoons Reconstructed from Holocene to Last Glacial Record

The effect of seasonally reversing monsoons in the northern Indian Ocean is to impart significant changes in surface salinity (SS). Here, we report SS changes during the last 32 kyr in the Lakshadweep Sea (southeastern Arabian Sea) estimated from paired measurements of d18O and sea surface temperature (SST) using Globigerinoides sacculifer, an upper mixed layer dwelling foraminifera. The heaviest d18OG.sacculifer (–0.07±0.08‰) is recorded between 23 and 15 ka, which could be defined as the last glacial maximum (LGM). The d18OG.sacculifer shift between the LGM and Holocene is 2.07‰. The SST shows an overall warming of 2°C from the LGM to Holocene (28°C to 30°C). However, coldest SSTs are observed prior to LGM, i.e., ~27 ka. The SS was higher (~38 psu) throughout most of the recorded last glacial period (32.5–15 ka). This high salinity together with generally lower SSTs suggests a period of sustained weaker summer or stronger winter monsoons. The deglacial warming is associated with rapid reorganization of monsoons and is reflected in decreased salinity to a modern level of ~ 36.5 psu, within a period of ~5 kyr. This indicates intensification of summer monsoons during cold to warm climate transition.     

Variability in temperature and geometry of the Norwegian Current over the past 600 yr; stable isotope and grain size evidence from the Norwegian margin

Core P1‐003MC was retrieved from 851 m water depth on the southern Norwegian continental margin, close to the boundary between the Norwegian Current (NC) and the underlying cold Norwegian Sea Deep Water. The core chronology was established by using ²¹⁰Pb measurements and ¹⁴C dates, suggesting a sampling resolution of between 2 and 9 yr. Sea‐surface temperature (SST) variations in the NC are reconstructed from stable oxygen isotope measurements in two planktonic Foraminifera species, Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (d.) and Globigerina bulloides. The high temporal resolution of the SST proxy records allows direct comparison with instrumental ocean temperature measurements from Ocean Weather Ship (OWS) Mike in the Norwegian Sea and an air temperature record from the coastal island Ona, western Norway. The comparison of the instrumental and the proxy SST data suggests that N. pachyderma (d.) calcify during summer, whereas G. bulloides calcify during spring. The δ¹⁸O records of both species suggest that the past 70 yr have been the warmest throughout the past 600 yr. The spring and summer proxy temperature data suggest differences in the duration of the cold period of the Little Ice Age. The spring temperature was 1–3°C colder throughout most of the period between ca. AD 1400 and 1700, and the summer temperature was 1–2°C colder throughout most of the period between ca. AD 1400 and 1920. Fluctuations in the depth of the lower boundary of the NC have been investigated by examining grain size data and benthic foraminiferal assemblages. The data show that the transition depth of the lower boundary of the NC was deeper between ca. AD 1400 and 1650 than after ca. AD 1750 until present. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the possible impacts of temperature change on air quality and public health in Beijing, 2008–2012

Understanding the impact of temperature fluctuations on air quality and public health has gained popularity among environmental and epidemiological researchers. Potentially, increase and decrease in temperature between neighboring days have increased the environmental and health risk worldwide. Based on ordinary least-squares method, this paper aims to examine the impact of temperature fluctuations on air quality index (AQI) and respiratory health outcomes (RHOs) during 2008–2012 in Beijing. Our results show that a drop of more than 3 °C results in the increased impact on AQI and RHO in the heating period. At the same time, a raise of more than 3 °C results in the similar increased impact on AQI in the whole study period and heating period. Furthermore, for a raise of more than 3 °C, a larger impact on RHO is observed in the heating period compared with the whole study period. Additionally, an increase in temperature also results in the increased influence of health risk on females during the heating period. Our results suggest that the air quality and public health in Beijing are significantly influenced by decrease and increase in temperature in the heating period.     

Air–Water CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Fluxes and Net Ecosystem Production Changes in a Baja California Coastal Lagoon During the Anomalous North Pacific Warm Condition

The present study examines the temporal variability of air–water CO₂ fluxes (FCO₂) and seawater carbonate chemistry in a Baja California coastal lagoon during an exceptionally warm anomaly that was developed in Northeast Pacific coasts during 2014. This oceanographic condition led to a summer-like season (weak upwelling condition) during the study period, which reached a maximum surface temperature anomaly of 2 °C in September 2014. San Quintín Bay acts as a source of CO₂ to the atmosphere in 2014 (3.3 ± 4.8 mmol C m^?2 day^?1) with the higher positive fluxes mainly observed in summer months (9.0 ± 5.3 mmol C m^?2 day^?1). Net ecosystem production (NEP) switched seasonally between net heterotrophy and net autotrophy during the study period, with an annual average of 2.2 ± 7.1 mmol C m^?2 day^?1, which indicates that San Quintín Bay was a net autotrophic system during the atypical warm oceanographic condition in 2014. This pattern of seasonal variations in the carbon balance at San Quintín Bay appears to be linked to the life cycle of benthic communities, which play an important role in the whole-ecosystem metabolism. Under the limited input from external sources coupled with an increase in seawater temperatures, the recycled benthic carbon and nutrient fluxes play a major role to sustain water-column processes within the bay. Since the upwelling condition may influence the magnitude of the air–water CO₂ fluxes, our results clearly indicated that San Quintín Bay is a net source of carbon to the atmosphere regardless of the adjacent oceanic conditions. Our study sheds light on the carbon dynamics and its metabolic implications in a shallow coastal ecosystem under a regional warm anomaly and contributes potentially relevant information in view of the likely future scenario of global climate change.     

Assessment of the mutual impact between climate and vegetation cover using NOAA-AVHRR and Landsat data in Egypt

The objective of the current study is to use satellite data to assess the mutual influence between vegetation and climate. The Ismailia Governorate was selected as a case study to investigate the impact of vegetation cover expansion on both land surface and air temperature from 1983 to 2010 and vice versa. This observation site was carefully selected as a clear example of the high rate of the reclamation and vegetation expansion process in Egypt. Land surface temperature (LST) was estimated through the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (a space-borne sensor embarked on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) data while air temperature (T _air) was collected from ground meteorological stations in the study area. Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater resources. However, consistent information on irrigation water use is still lacking. Relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and T _air data were inserted in the Penman–Monteith equation to calculate potential evapotranspiration (ET_o), while both LST and T _air were used to observe the relative water status of the study area as a result of the water deficit index (WDI). Then, both WDI and ET_o were used to calculate actual evepotranspiration (ET_C.). The results showed that LST decreased by about 2.3 °C while T _air decreased by about 1.6 °C during the study period. The results showed also that the vegetation cover expanded from 25,529.85 ha in 1985 to 63,140.49 ha in 2009 with about 147 % increase. This decrease in LST and air temperature was according to the expansion of the cultivated land that was proved through the processing of three Landsat TM and Landsat ETM+ imageries acquired in June 19, 1985, June 7, 1998, and June 29, 2009. The vegetation water consumption was affected by the decreasing surface and air temperature. The results showed that the water deficit index decreased by about 0.35, and actual evapotranspiration increased by about 2.5 mm during the study period.     

The Diavik Waste Rock Project: Measurement of the thermal regime of a waste-rock test pile in a permafrost environment

The interior thermal regime of a field-scale experimental waste rock pile in the Northwest Territories, Canada, was studied. Test pile construction was completed in the summer 2006, and temperature data was collected continuously since that time to February 2009. The temperature data indicates the test pile cooled over the study period, with an average heat energy release of −2.5 × 10⁴ and −2.6 × 10⁴ MJ in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The mean annual air temperature (MAAT) at the site was −8.9 °C during the period between 2006 and 2009, with a permafrost table at a depth of 4 m in bedrock away from the pile. Because of this cold environment, the upward movement rate of the 0 °C isotherm into the test pile at its base was approximately 1.5 m a⁻¹ during 2007 and 2008. Thermistor strings installed immediately below the base of the test pile showed the test-pile basal temperatures remained near and below 0 °C during the study period. Furthermore, due to low rates of sulfide mineral oxidation, elevated temperatures in the interior of the test pile were not observed. The average air velocity in the pore space in July 2007 and 2008 was about one third of that during January of each year based on temperature distributions. Therefore, due to higher air velocity during the winter, it is expected that heat transfer is greater during winter.     

An Assessment of Changes in Winter Cold and Warm Spells over Canada

The recent Third Assessment Report (TAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC) indicated that observed 20th century changes in severalclimatic extremes are qualitatively consistent with those expected due to increasedgreenhouse gases. However, a lack of adequate data and analyses make conclusiveevidence of changing extremes somewhat difficult, particularly, in a global sense.In Canada, extreme temperature events, especially those during winter, can havemany adverse environmental and economic impacts. In light of the aforementionedIPCC report, the main focus of this analysis is to examine observed trends andvariability in the frequency, duration, and intensity of winter (Jan–Feb–Mar) cold and warm spells over Canada during the second half of the 20th century.Cold spell trends display substantial spatial variability across the country. From1950–1998, western Canada has experienced decreases in the frequency, duration, and intensity of cold spells, while in the east, distinct increases in the frequency and duration have occurred. These increases are likely associated with morefrequent occurrences of the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)during the last several decades. With regard to winter warm spells, significantincreases in both the frequency and duration of these episodes were observedacross most of Canada. One exception was found in the extreme northeasternregions, where warm spells are becoming shorter and less frequent. The resultsof this study are discussed within the context of climate warming expectations.     

Changes in irrigation management and quantity and quality of drainage water in a traditional irrigated land

Irrigated agriculture allows for the increase of agrarian yields and stability in food supply and raw materials, being, at the same time, responsible for the reduction of water resources availability and for the pollution by salts and nitrate. This work aims to analyze the impact of changes in irrigation management (establishment of an on-demand flood irrigated system, assignment of irrigation allowances and water payment for surface and irrigation water consumption) in a traditional irrigated land on drainage flow, electrical conductivity and nitrate concentration in irrigation return flows between the year 2001 and the period 2005–2008. Changes in water management significantly modified quantity (lower drainage) and quality (electrical conductivity and nitrate) of irrigation return flows, keeping similar evolution paths during the year with water ameliorants in summer due to the use of good irrigation water quality. Salinity in irrigation return flows is not a current problem in the area as electrical conductivity values in water did not exceed the limit established for water used in irrigation or intended for human consumption. Despite the fact that changes in irrigation management and crop distribution have reduced nitrate concentrations in irrigation return flows by 43 %, the water still presents nitrate values exceeding the 50 mg NO₃ ^?/l. Thus, nitrate remains as the main agro-environmental problem in this irrigation area. However, the nitrate concentration trends detected in this work mark the possibility of reaching nitrate values below 50 mg NO₃ ^?/l in the case of maintenance of the conditions in this agricultural system.     

Assessing the possible impacts of temperature change on air quality and public health in Beijing, 2008–2012

Understanding the impact of temperature fluctuations on air quality and public health has gained popularity among environmental and epidemiological researchers. Potentially, increase and decrease in temperature between neighboring days have increased the environmental and health risk worldwide. Based on ordinary least-squares method, this paper aims to examine the impact of temperature fluctuations on air quality index (AQI) and respiratory health outcomes (RHOs) during 2008–2012 in Beijing. Our results show that a drop of more than 3 °C results in the increased impact on AQI and RHO in the heating period. At the same time, a raise of more than 3 °C results in the similar increased impact on AQI in the whole study period and heating period. Furthermore, for a raise of more than 3 °C, a larger impact on RHO is observed in the heating period compared with the whole study period. Additionally, an increase in temperature also results in the increased influence of health risk on females during the heating period. Our results suggest that the air quality and public health in Beijing are significantly influenced by decrease and increase in temperature in the heating period.

     

贵州荔波地区2000年来石笋高分辨率的气候记录

通过对荔波董哥洞石笋进行高精度的ICP MS或TIMS U系测年和碳、氧同位素分析，建立了荔波地区2 300a B.P.来高分辨率的古气候变化的时间序列。研究结果表明，贵州荔波地区2 300a B.P.以来石笋记录的季风气候变化，大致可分为8个气候(亚)期:① 2 300～1 800a B.P.为降温期，显示东亚夏季风减弱，东亚冬季风增强，气候干旱寒冷；② 1 800～1 080a B.P.气温有所回升，显示东亚冬季风缓慢减弱，东亚夏季风有所回升，表现为半湿润的温凉气候期；③ 1 080～680a B.P. 为降温期，气温再次下降，显示东亚冬季风再次增强，但降水相对增大，表现为寒冷湿润的气候期，是气候变化的关键转折时期；④ 680～550a B.P.温暖期，显示东亚夏季风再次增强，气温升高，降水增大，表现为温暖湿润的气候期。⑤ 550～400a B.P.寒冷期，显示东亚冬季风快速增强，气温下降，表现为寒冷湿润的气候环境，是近1 000年以来最冷的时期；⑥ 400～364a B.P.温凉期，显示东亚夏季风有所增强，气温有所回升，表现为温凉湿润气候环境；⑦ 364～324a B.P.冷凉期，显示东亚夏季风有所减弱，气温有所下降，表现为冷凉湿润气候环境；⑧ 324a B.P.至今，气候相对波动期，同位素记录曲线呈锯齿状波动，在其内包括若干个冷凉半湿润、冷湿的气候变化亚阶段。根据荔波董哥洞石笋的高分辨率的古气候变化的连续记录，揭示了荔波地区2 300a B.P.以来的一些百年尺度的重大气候事件——干旱寒冷期、隋唐温暖期(或小温暖期)、小寒冷期以及一些十年尺度的降水、温度变化。石笋记录的这种百年、十年尺度的突发性气候变化事件，与冰芯记录极为相似，反映低纬度地区石笋记录的季风气候与高纬度及北极地区的气候具有极好的相关性，这对于认识现代气候系统变化以及对未来十年—百年尺度的气候预测和演化的驱动机制，具有重要的科学意义。     

Interannual and long-term variability of the summer monsoon and its possible link with northern hemispheric surface air temperature

Some statistical properties of the summer monsoon seasonal rainfall for India during the last 100 years (1881–1980) are presented. The most recent decade of 1971–1980 shows the lowest value of standard-decadal average monsoon rainfall (86.40 cm) and is also characterised by the second highest value of coefficient of variation in monsoon rainfall (12.4 %). The combined last two standard-decadal period of 1961–1980 was the period of the largest coefficient of variation and the lowest average monsoon rainfall for India. The possible influence of global climatic variability on the performance of the monsoon is also examined. Analyses of correlation coefficient show that a statistically significant positive relationship with a time-lag of about six months exists between monsoon rainfall and northern hemispheric surface air temperature. A cooler northern hemisphere during January/February leads to a poor monsoon. All the major drought years during the last 3 decades had much cooler January/February periods over the northern hemisphere—1972 having the coldest January/February with a temperature departure of −0.94°C and the most disastrous monsoon failure.     

Changes of Extreme Indices over China in Response to 1.5 ℃ Global Warming Projected by a Regional Climate Model

The possible changes of extreme climates over China under 1.5 ℃ global warming scenario were investigated by using the output of CORDEX (COordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment) experiments with a regional air-sea coupled model FROALS over East Asia domain. Results indicated that compared to the baseline period of 1986-2005, warm events would significantly increase while cold events would significantly decrease over China in a 1.5 ℃ warmer world. The risks of extreme and moderate warm events would be 2.14 and 1.93 times of that in the baseline period, respectively. The risks of extreme and moderate cold events would be 0.58 and 0.63 times of that in the baseline period, respectively. Compared to other sub-regions, the increasing amplitude of extreme warm events would be higher in North China, while the decreasing amplitude of extreme cold events would be higher in Northeast China. Risks of extreme dry events would increase in Northwest China, Tibetan Plateau and Northeast China (1.13, 1.02 and 1.22 times of that in baseline period). Precipitation intensity and extreme wet events would increase significantly over most parts of China, and the increasing amplitudes extreme wet events will be higher in North China and South China (1.88 and 1.85 times of that in the baseline period). Days when people may feel uncomfortable would increase significantly in eastern China, and compared to simple extreme warm events, the increasing amplitude of extreme uncomfortable days would be larger. The absolute changes of heating degree-days would be larger than that of cooling degree-days (-258℃·d and 72℃·d, respectively) in eastern China, but the relative change of heating degree-days would be smaller than cooling degree-days (-10% and 82%, respectively).     

Variable temperature and moisture conditions in Yungang Grottoes,China, and their impacts on ancient sculptures

Deterioration of grottoes induced by the negative impacts of the variable temperature and moisture conditions has been an important issue in the conservation of heritage sites in China. In this case study, the spatial distributions and varying patterns of moisture and temperature in the caves of Yungang Grottoes, China, were investigated. The relative air humidity was approximately 100 % in the deep zone of the unsaturated surrounding rocks of the grottoes where the temperature remained almost steady at around 9.4 °C. However, the indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and rock surface temperature in the caves varied significantly because of the active exchange of the air with the outside atmosphere. The condensation water appeared on cave walls in the summer when the dew point in the air was higher than the rock surface temperature. Preliminary assessments with a special collection device indicated that the thickness of the transient condensation water could reach 0.03–0.10 mm on the back wall of a cave. The occurrence of this condensation water is expected to worsen salt deterioration of the sculptures in the grottoes. As revealed by long-term observations, a wooden building in front of a cave can weaken the indoor air temperature fluctuation and reduce the condensation water, and consequently, prevent the negative effects of the microclimate for the sculptures.