The chemical composition of fogs and intercepted clouds in the United States

Over the past decade, the chemical compositions of fogs and intercepted clouds have been investigated at more than a dozen locations across the United States. Sampling sites have been located in the northeast, southeast, Rocky Mountain, and west coast regions of the US. They include both pristine and heavily polluted locations. Frontal/orographic clouds (warm and supercooled), intercepted coastal stratiform clouds, and radiation fogs have all been examined. Sample pH values range from below 3 to above 7. Major ions also exhibit a wide concentration range, with clouds at some locations exhibiting high sea salt concentrations, while composition at other locations is dominated by ammonium and sulfate or nitrate.     

山地对流云并合形成积层混合云的过程分析

本文利用贵阳市气象台2005和2006年5-9月的地面、高空观测和雷达资料等,分析了41次山地对流云并合形成积层混合云的降水过程.研究发现如果分散的多单体对流云若距离较近,则很可能出现大范围地跨接、合并,则有可能形成范围宽广的片状或带状云系,即积层混合云系.云系形成以后在移动的过程中,会将前方不断新生的对流单体合并,从而云系前缘强度增强,云系不断维持.整个系统的生命期往往较分散云团更长,并有可能会形成间歇性或连续性降水.本文分析了山地对流云并合形成积层混合云的一些具体特征.     

Rapid change in nitrate and sulfate concentrations observed in early stage of precipitation and their deposition processes

The concentrations of H⁺, nitrate (NO₃ ^-), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2-) in rainwater and their temporal changes were analyzed on the basis of continuous observation from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1992 at a suburb of Nagoya, Japan. The yearly average for pH was 4.4. In general, an increasing pH with increase in precipitation amount was observed for rain events. Relatively high pH rainwater was sometimes observed at the beginning of rainfall, even though high concentrations of NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2- were involved. The high pH values were considered to be caused by the neutralization process with particulate matter containing cations. The yearly averaged ratio of equivalent concentration of nitrate to sulfate (N/S) in rainwater was 0.58. In the early stage of rain, the N/S value was usually more than 1.0 due to the difference of scavenging process between NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2-. High values of N/S ranging from 5 to 10 were found under the atmospheric conditions of calm winds and low humidity, during which it is possible that atmospheric particles float for a long time in the air before a rain event. The adsorption of NO₃ ^- in the early stage of rainfall by particulate matter was suggested from the difference in scavenging processes of NO₃ ^- and SO₄ ^2-. A possible scavenging process, called limb cloud scavenging, is presented to explain the interaction of particles and nitrate ions at the early stage of rain. In limb cloud scavenging, the repeated migration of cloud particles or raindrops between the inside and outside of clouds increases the absorption of ions to a highly condensed level, thus increasing the N/S value of rainwater. The influence of global scale seasonal phenomena with large amounts of particulates, such as typhoons or Asian dust storms, was also studied.     

北太平洋增暖对我国西北秋雨的影响

利用1979—2012年我国160站逐月降水资料、NOAA全球海洋表面温度资料和NCEP-DOE大气环流再分析资料,采用统计分析方法研究了北太平洋海表增暖对我国西北秋雨年代际变化的影响。结果表明：西北秋雨在2000年前后经历了年代际跃变,1986—1999年为少雨期,2000—2012年为多雨期。进一步分析表明：西北秋雨的年代际变化与北太平洋海表增暖关系密切,北太平洋海温偏暖时,东亚—北太平洋地区的大气温度升高,引起东亚地区的南北温差减弱,使东亚西风急流减弱,急流中心偏北,东亚中纬度地区气压升高,导致异常东风水汽输送带偏强,造成西北秋雨异常偏多。     

低压倒槽影响下积层混合云形成过程模拟研究

利用多普勒雷达资料和中尺度天气预报模式wRF（Weather Research and Forecasting）模拟结果,对2009年5月9—10日发生在太原及其周边地区的一次积层混合云降水形成过程进行分析。结果表明,在积层混合云的形成初期,局地对流云得到发展,随着其强度不断增强,与周围云发生并合过程（包括局地单体对流的并合、积云团的并合和积层混合云内强中心的并合）,形成范围较大的积层混合云云系。局地单体对流和积云团的并合可带来云体的爆发性增长,霰含量、雨水含量大幅增加。积层混合云内强中心的并合对降水强度影响不大,但有利于降水面积扩大。低压倒槽和弱冷锋是此次积层混合云形成和维持的主要影响因素。低压倒槽有利于低层大范围不稳定能量的积累,风向切变有利于近距离云团的发展和并合,山地动力和热力作用有利于局地对流单体、积层混合云内强中心的形成和加强。     

云凝结核浓度对不同弗罗德数下形成的地形云和降水的影响

云凝结核(CCN)对云和降水的影响除与其物理化学性质密切相关外,还受到气象条件的影响,但此类研究较少。文中基于WRF中尺度数值模式,引入了表征大气层流速、层结稳定度和地形关系的湿弗罗德(Fw)数,研究揭示了CCN浓度的变化对不同Fw下形成的地形云和降水的影响。研究表明,当Fw≤1,接近临界流时,地形阻挡起主要作用,地形抬升和重力波作用主要发生在迎风坡一侧,主要形成层状云和向上游传播的浅对流波状云,降水主要发生在靠近山顶的迎风坡一侧。在此种情况下,CCN浓度升高对地形云和降水影响较小,当CCN浓度由100 cm~(-3)增至1000 cm~(-3)时,云滴含水量增大,但雨水含量减小,说明云粒子向降水粒子的转化效率降低,CCN浓度升高抑制了暖雨过程。但在云发展后期,云滴被上升气流带至高层形成过冷云滴,与雪粒子发生碰并形成霰粒子,使冰相物理过程有所增强。CCN浓度升高可导致20 h累积降水量减少10—15 mm,约减小7%—8%;当Fw1时,CCN浓度升高会导致20 h地形云累积降水量减小超过50%,最大达到96%,导致地形云几乎不产生降水,而且降水量峰值位置向山顶后移动5—10 km。研究表明,降水显著减小的原因不仅与CCN浓度升高有关,过山气流产生的背风坡焚风效应也起了非常重要的作用。由于CCN浓度升高形成了大量云滴粒子,使雨滴形成效率显著降低,不能形成降雨的大量云滴被强过山气流快速带至下游背风坡区,由于背风坡下坡气流的绝热加热形成的焚风效应很显著,导致云滴和雨滴快速蒸发,使降水显著减小。这一结果可以解释在落基山脉、以色列及中国华山发现的地形降水减小30%—50%的现象,说明气象环境条件在气溶胶影响降水中起重要作用,污染气溶胶与背风坡焚风效应产生的叠加效应可造成地形云降水显著减小。     

云滴数浓度影响混合型层状云降水的数值模拟

使用耦合了Morrison双参数微物理方案的中尺度WRF模式V2．2,对2008年1月25-29日发生在我国南方的冰雪天气过程进行了数值试验。在模式准确再现了此次天气过程形势演变特点的基础上,对模式微物理方案中云滴数浓度影响累积降水量的情况进行了敏感性试验,发现云滴数浓度对降水量的影响是复杂和非线性的。对此次天气过程中的微物理量进行了详细的分析,并从各种水成物粒子的发展演变上,讨论了云滴数浓度的增加在暖云和冷云两种降水机制上对降水产生的不同影响。结果表明,云滴数浓度越大,云水混合比就越大,云滴的尺度越小。雨滴对不同云滴数浓度的响应与云滴的情况相反,随着云滴数浓度的增加,雨滴数浓度减小,雨水也减少,暖云降水过程受到了抑制;冰晶和雪晶的数浓度的演变过程没有明显变化,而冰晶和雪晶的混合比是相应增加的,冷云降水过程得到了一定程度的增强。从本文模拟的个例来看,设置不同云滴数浓度所得到的总累计降水量的差异在1％以内。总的来说,增加云滴数浓度,降水量会减少。从比例上来看,增加云滴数浓度对暖云降水过程的抑制作用比对冷云降水过程的增强作用更为显著,但是在本文模拟的个例中,冷云降水过程占主导地位,减少的降水和增加的降水的绝对值在同一个量级上并且数值相近,它们相互抵消后得到的结果是降水量变化的绝对值大大减小了,这解释了增加云滴数浓度后模拟的总累积降水量变化不明显的原因。     

Effect of clouds on the photodissociation of NO2: Observations and modelling

The role of clouds in photodissociation is examined by both modelling and observations. It is emphasized that the photodissociation rate is proportional to the actinic flux rather than to the irradiance. The actinic flux concerns the energy that is incident on a molecule, irrespective of the direction of incidence. The irradiance concerns the energy that is incident on a plane.As far as the modelling aspect is concerned, a multi-layer delta-Eddington model is used to calculate irradiances, actinic fluxes, and photodissociation rates of nitrogen dioxide J(NO₂) as a function of height in inhomogeneous atmospheres. For the considered wavelength interval [290–420 nm], Rayleigh scattering, ozone absorption, and Mie scattering and absorption by cloud drops and aerosols should be taken into account.Further, a three-layer model is used to calculate the actinic flux above and below a cloud, relative to the incident flux, in terms of cloud albedo, zenith angle, and the albedo of the underlying and overlying atmosphere. Cloud albedo is mainly determined by cloud optical thickness. An expression for the incloud actinic flux is given as a function of in-cloud optical thickness. The three-layer model seems to be a useful model for the estimation of photodissociation rates in dispersion models.It is stressed that both models in their present form cannot handle partial cloudiness.It is shown that if no clouds are present, the actinic flux depends primarily on solar zenith angle. Further, the incident flux at the top of the atmosphere diminishes downward into the atmosphere due to the increasing effect of scattering. Therefore, the actinic flux usually increases with height, although above clouds the actinic flux sometimes decreases with height due to a large contribution of the upward scattered light.For cloudy atmospheres, another important parameter with respect to the actinic flux is added: cloud optical thickness. Cloud optical thickness determines cloud albedo. It can be shown that incloud characteristics and cloud height are less important while describing the effect of a cloud on the actinic flux (outside the cloud). The in-cloud values of the actinic flux can exceed the values outside the cloud.Finally, using the photostationary state relationship, a comparison is performed between model results and ground-based measurements as well as in-cloud air craft measurements.     

华山云海的变化特征以及与气象要素的关系

用华山气象站1985—2014年气象要素资料,分析近30 a华山云海的变化及云海与降水、相对湿度、风速的关系。结果表明,华山年平均云海日为26.27 d,最多年份72 d,最少年份仅3 d;面积200 km~2云海年平均日数24.23 d;面积≥200 km~2云海平均日数2.87 d,最多有20 d (1985、1994年),最少有2 d(1997年),1997年后再没有面积≥200 km~2的云海出现。云海的出现呈逐年下降的趋势,年际差异明显。秋季云海出现日数最多(平均云海日数8.13 d),冬季最少(平均4.60 d);各月的云海日数8月最多,5月最少。面积≥200 km~2云海冬季出现日数最多,夏季最少;11月出现最多,3、12月次之,5月最少。面积≥200 km~2云海出现的前一天或当天一般都有降水,两天中至少有一天出现降水的几率是84.30%;平均相对湿度≥70%时,较易形成云海;云海日出现时常伴有风,但总体风速不大,通常≤10.0 m·s~(-1),利于云海的形成保持。     

Estimating climate change effects on net primary production of rangelands in the United States

The potential effects of climate change on net primary productivity (NPP) of U.S. rangelands were evaluated using estimated climate regimes from the A1B, A2 and B2 global change scenarios imposed on the biogeochemical cycling model, Biome-BGC from 2001 to 2100. Temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure deficit, day length, solar radiation, CO₂ enrichment and nitrogen deposition were evaluated as drivers of NPP. Across all three scenarios, rangeland NPP increased by 0.26 % year^?1 (7 kg C ha^?1 year^?1) but increases were not apparent until after 2030 and significant regional variation in NPP was revealed. The Desert Southwest and Southwest assessment regions exhibited declines in NPP of about 7 % by 2100, while the Northern and Southern Great Plains, Interior West and Eastern Prairies all experienced increases over 25 %. Grasslands dominated by warm season (C4 photosynthetic pathway) species showed the greatest response to temperature while cool season (C3 photosynthetic pathway) dominated regions responded most strongly to CO₂ enrichment. Modeled NPP responses compared favorably with experimental results from CO₂ manipulation experiments and to NPP estimates from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Collectively, these results indicate significant and asymmetric changes in NPP for U.S. rangelands may be expected.     

Forest Carbon Dynamics in the Pacific Northwest (USA) and the St. Petersburg Region of Russia: Comparisons and Policy Implications

Forests of the United States and Russia can play a positive role in reducing the extent of global warming caused by greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. To determine the extent of carbon sequestration, physical, ecological, economic, and social issues need to be considered, including different forest management objectives across major forest ownership groups. Private timberlands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest are relatively young, well stocked, and sequestering carbon at relatively high rates. Forests in northwestern Russia are generally less productive than those in the Northwestern U.S. but cover extensive areas. A large increase in carbon storage per hectare in live tree biomass is projected on National Forest timberlands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest for all selected scenarios, with an increase of between 157–175 Mg by 2050 and a near doubling of 1970s levels. On private timberlands in the Pacific Northwest, average carbon in live tree biomass per hectare has been declining historically but began to level off near 65 Mg in 2000; projected levels by 2050 are roughly what they were in 1970 at approximately 80 Mg. In the St. Petersburg region, average carbon stores were similar to those on private lands in the Pacific Northwest: 57 Mg per hectare in 2000 and ranging from 40 to 64 Mg by 2050. Although the projected futures reflect a broad range of policy options, larger differences in projected carbon stores result from the starting conditions determined by ownership, regional environmental conditions, and past changes in forest management. However, an important change of forest management objective, such as the end of all timber harvest on National Forests in the Pacific Northwest or complete elimination of mature timber in the St. Petersburg region, can lead to substantial change in carbon stores over the next 50 years.     

西北太平洋热带气旋气候变化的若干研究进展

热带气旋气候变化研究不仅是当前国际热带气旋气候界的热点科学问题,而且也是具有现实意义的社会问题,各国气象学者和科学家们对此进行了广泛的研究。虽然热带气旋活动与气候变化之间的关系及其相应的内在物理机制至今还处在探究之中,但是近20多年来热带气旋气候学的研究还是取得了显著的进展。本文主要针对濒临中国的西北太平洋海域,回顾了热带气旋活动季节内、年际、年代际变化及其全球变暖背景下的变化趋势的气候学研究。此外,文中也对西北太平洋热带气旋气候学的研究进行了展望,并提出了该领域中一些亟待解决的科学问题。     

Simulated Impacts of Sulfate and Nitrate Aerosol Formation on Surface-Layer Ozone Concentrations in China

The authors quantify the impacts of sulfate and nitrate aerosol formation on surface-layer 03 concentrations over China using the one-way nested-grid capa- bility of the global three-dimensional Goddard Earth Ob- serving System chemical transport model （GEOS-Chem）. Chemical reactions associated with sulfate formation are simulated to generally increase 03 concentrations in China. Over the North China Plain （NCP） and the Si- chuan Basin （SCB）, where simulated sulfate concentra- tions are the largest, ozone concentrations show maximum increases in spring by 1.8 ppbv （3.2%） in the NCP and by 2.6 ppbv （3.7%） in the SCB. On the contrary, nitrate formation is simulated to reduce 03 concentrations by up to 1.0 ppbv in eastern China, with the largest reduc- tions of 1.0 ppbv （1.4%） in summer over the NCE Ac- counting for the formation of both sulfate and nitrate, the surface-layer O3 concentrations over a large fraction of eastern China are simulated to increase in winter, spring, and autumn, dominated by the impact of sulfate forma- tion, but to decrease in summer because of the dominant contribution from nitrate formation.     

Impacts of a nuclear war in South Asia on soybean and maize production in the Midwest United States

Crop production would decline in the Midwestern United States from climate change following a regional nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Using Agro-IBIS, a dynamic agroecosystem model, we simulated the response of maize and soybeans to cooler, drier, and darker conditions from war-related smoke. We combined observed climate conditions for the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri with output from a general circulation climate model simulation that injected 5 Tg of elemental carbon into the upper troposphere. Both maize and soybeans showed notable yield reductions for a decade after the event. Maize yields declined 10–40 % while soybean yields dropped 2–20 %. Temporal variation in magnitude of yield for both crops generally followed the variation in climatic anomalies, with the greatest decline in the 5 years following the 5 Tg event and then less, but still substantial yield decline, for the rest of the decade. Yield reduction for both crops was linked to changes in growing period duration and, less markedly, to reduced precipitation and altered maximum daily temperature during the growing season. The seasonal average of daily maximum temperature anomalies, combined with precipitation and radiation changes, had a quadratic relationship to yield differences; small (0 °C) and large (?3 °C) maximum temperature anomalies combined with other changes led to increased yield loss, but medium changes (?1 °C) had small to neutral effects on yield. The exact timing of the temperature changes during the various crop growth phases also had an important effect.     

中国地区硫酸盐气溶胶的第一间接气候效应研究

将区域气候模式(RegCM3)与对流层大气化学模拟(TACM)耦合,建立区域气候化学模拟系统(RegCCMS),用以模拟中国地区硫酸盐气溶胶的空间分布、第一间接辐射强迫及其气候效应。研究结果表明,中国地区硫酸盐气溶胶主要集中在四川、河南、山东等地,秋冬季浓度较高而夏季浓度较低。1月份浓度最高值中心在四川,最高达到50μg/m3,而7月则出现在河南等地,浓度最高达10μg/m3。1、4、7、10月硫酸盐气溶胶的第一间接辐射强迫全国平均值分别为-1.80、-2.75、-3.43、-1.83 W/m2,局部地区可达-12 W/m2。敏感性试验结果表明,硫酸盐气溶胶的第一间接效应引起气温降低,降水减少,在不同季节和地区气温和降水的变化存在明显差异。     

Cosmic ray flux impact on clouds? An analysis of radiosonde, cloud cover, and surface temperature records from the United States

Summary ¶Many scientists have suggested that variations in cosmic ray flux may impact cloudiness at regional, hemispheric, or global scales. However, considerable debate surrounds (a) whether high or low clouds are most strongly impacted by cosmic rays, (b) the degree of seasonality in cloud responses to cosmic rays, and (c) the determination of physical processes involved in cosmic ray/cloud interactions. Some scientists find strong correlation coefficients between cloud measurements and cosmic ray flux, while others find no relationship whatsoever; virtually all scientists working on this issue are hampered by the relatively short time period with accurate cloud and cosmic ray flux records. In an attempt to extend the period of record, we assembled surface and radiosonde data for the United States over the period 1957–1996 along with sunspot records which are known to be strongly, but inversely, related to cosmic ray flux. We also assembled cloud cover data and cosmic ray measurements over a reduced time period. We found that periods with low sunspot number (times with high cosmic ray flux) are associated with significantly higher dew point depressions, a higher diurnal temperature range, and less cloud cover. Our results do not support suggestions of increased cloud cover during periods of high cosmic ray flux.Received May 14, 2002; accepted February 17, 2003 Published online May 26, 2003     

西北太平洋热带气旋对东亚大气环流的影响

使用1960—2015年6—10月上海台风研究所(CMA-STI)整编的热带气旋最佳路径数据集和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,借助相关性分析、典型相关分析、耦合场分离方法等统计学方法研究了热带气旋对东亚大气环流的影响。主要结论如下:热带气旋活动增强使得对流层高层温度增加,低层温度降低;对位势高度场的影响主要是使得位势高度降低,最大的影响区在500 hPa;分析东亚大气环流与热带气旋之间的耦合相互作用发现,大气环流和热带气旋相互反馈作用较强的区域往往也是热带气旋对大气环流独立影响较强的区域。两者相互耦合影响部分的解释方差(4%～7%)明显小于单方面由热带气旋引起的大气环流变化部分的解释方差(12%～18%)。     

Factors affecting levels of aerosol sulfate and nitrate on the Western Mediterranean coast

The present study was carried out between October 2003 and September 2004 at an urban background station near the Mediterranean coast in southeastern Spain. The sulfate and nitrate content was determined in 332 PM10 and PM2.5 daily samples. The results show that the seasonal variation of nitrate measured in PM10 does not correspond with what has been observed at other locations in the Iberian Peninsula, where the minima are reached during the summer months due to decomposition of ammonium nitrate at high temperatures. The recorded levels of PM10 nitrate were slightly higher in summer due to an increase in the concentrations of coarse mode nitrate. On the contrary, both the concentrations and the percentages of nitrate in PM2.5 were lowest from June to September. The sulfate levels in both PM10 and PM2.5 were maxima in summer because the oxidation rate of SO₂ increases with solar radiation. An elevated correlation (0.72 < r < 0.92) between the monthly average concentrations and percentages of sulfate and solar radiation has been found. We have also investigated the influence that Saharan dust intrusions and high pollution episodes have upon the sulfate and nitrate concentrations. Both types of events increased NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ levels, particularly the high pollution episodes.     

西北太平洋热带气旋的年际和年代际变化及其与南亚高压的关系

利用1949～1996年48年西北太平洋热带气旋(TC)的年个数资料和1958～1997年40年南亚高压(SAH)特征参数的月平均资料，讨论了西北太平洋TC年个数的年际、年代际变化、年个数周期和周期能量等特点及其与SAH特征参数的关系和异常TC年前期SAH环流场和100 hPa高度场的特征。结果表明，西北太平洋TC具有明显的年际和年代际变化，前期SAH对当年TC频数有一定影响，SAH中心位置偏北、偏西，中心强度偏弱时，当年TC偏多，反之，当年TC偏少。