Effects of air pollution on precipitation in Kraków (Cracow), Poland in the years 1971–2005

Daily precipitation data from the period 1971–2005 from four stations in and around Kraków (Cracow), Poland (one urban and three rural ones) were analysed in order to find out whether the 80% decrease in air pollution after 1989 had an impact on the atmospheric precipitation amount and spatial distribution. The analyses were performed for the whole 35-year series and in two 17-year sub-periods: 1972–1988 (high air pollution) and 1989–2005 (low air pollution). No decreasing or increasing trend in the precipitation totals at the particular stations studied in the period 1971–2005 has been observed. The precipitation totals from 1972–1988 differ significantly from the ones of 1989–2005 only in case of Igo?omia (one of the rural stations) in winter and at the urban station in autumn. The spatial pattern of precipitation did not change after 1989. The changes in air pollution affected the spatial pattern of days with precipitation mainly in spring and autumn for daily totals above 5 mm.     

Trends in precipitation parameters in the climate zones of southern Russia (1961–2011)

The data of 19 weather stations for 1961-2011 on total and maximum daily precipitation for the plain (<500 m above the sea level), foothill (500-1000 m), and mountain (1000-2000 m) zones of the south of European Russia are used for analyzing the precipitation regime, investigating its trends, revealing the extremes, and making conclusions on zonal seasonal and annual variations in precipitation.     

Variations in cereal crop phenology in Spain over the last twenty-six years (1986–2012)

Over recent years, the Iberian Peninsula has witnessed an increase both in temperature and in rainfall intensity, especially in the Mediterranean climate area. Plant phenology is modulated by climate, and closely governed by water availability and air temperature. Over the period 1986–2012, the effects of climate change on phenology were analyzed in five crops at 26 sites growing in Spain (southern Europe): oats, wheat, rye, barley and maize. The phenophases studied were: sowing date, emergence, flag leaf sheath swollen, flowering, seed ripening and harvest. Trends in phenological response over time were detected using linear regression. Trends in air temperature and rainfall over the period prior to each phenophase were also charted. Correlations between phenological features, biogeographical area and weather trends were examined using a Generalized Lineal Mixed Model approach. A generalized advance in most winter-cereal phenophases was observed, mainly during the spring. Trend patterns differed between species and phenophases. The most noticeable advance in spring phenology was recorded for wheat and oats, the “Flag leaf sheath swollen” and “Flowering date” phenophases being brought forward by around 3 days/year and 1 day/year, respectively. Temperature changes during the period prior to phenophase onset were identified as the cause of these phenological trends. Climate changes are clearly prompting variations in cereal crop phenology; their consequences could be even more marked if climate change persists into the next century. Changes in phenology could in turn impact crop yield; fortunately, human intervention in crop systems is likely to minimize the negative impact.     

Studies on Intercorrelation between Ions Co-Occurring in Precipitation in the Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia Tricity (Poland)

The paper presents monitoring results and environmental pollution assessment for the Gdask-Sopot-Gdynia Tricity (Poland), based onanalysis of precipitation. Precipitation samples were collected over a period of 12 months (January–December 1998) at ten locations in the Tricity. The following selected ions were determined in the samples:SO₄ ^2–, F^–, Cl^–, NO₃ ^–,PO₄ ^3–, NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺,Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺. The results were subjected to full statistical evaluation. Values of the parameters determined were correlated with each other. An attempt was made to explain co-occurrences of certain ions and the significance of their mutual effects. Pollutant concentrations and loads in precipitation were also correlated with data on wind direction and temperature in the region.Deposition of pollutants was very high in spring due to the prevailing air circulation patterns and low temperatures. Analysis of the correlations between co-occurring ions confirmed the significant impact of the location (sea coast) on the composition of rain water. Ionic ratios in rainwater were similar to those observed for sea salt samples. In addition, heavy traffic was most probably responsible for high concentrations of various forms of nitrogen and sulphates in the vicinity of major highways.     

A Study of Suspended Particulate Matter in Lahore (Pakistan)

The results obtained from an investigation of suspended particulate matter in the metropolitan city of Lahore (Pakistan) are reported and analysed in this paper. X-ray diffraction studies of the airborne matter collected from various urban and suburban sites show that non-clay minerals such as quartz, calcite and albite are contained in most of the samples in almost comparable amounts. Chemical analysis of some samples was carried out for complementing the x-ray diffraction data. The amount of quartz in the samples of dusty areas was found to be an order of magnitude more than in the samples of relatively cleaner areas. As the dust particles of these compounds are poor substrate for promoting nucleation of ice in the atmospheric clouds, they are liable to stay steadily in the atmosphere as pollutants.A comparison of the results of the airborne particulates and the soil samples collected from various sites show that the sources of quartz, calcite and albite in the airborne matter are both local and remot     

Radiation balance in a tropical city — Delhi (India)

The impact of urbanization is assessed by comparing values of the radiation parameters at an urban location with those of a rural site. Urban Delhi was divided according to land-use and the effects of urbanization was studied on incoming short-wave (K), albedo, incoming longwave (L, outgoing longwave (L), and net radiation (Q ^*), were individually studied at four representative sites (Rural, Commercial, Residential and Industrial). MaximumK was observed in the rural and commercial areas whereas highL was observed in the commercial and industrial locations. High depletion ofK of the order of 13% was observed for the industrial location in the winter season. An increase ofL in, the industrial location is of the same order as that of the commercial location, i.e. 20%. The residential location shows quite moderate (4.6%) depletion ofK in comparison with other sites.Nomenclature U Urban - R Rural - K Incoming Short-wave radiation - L Incoming Long-wave radiation - L Outgoing Long-wave radiation - Q ^* Net Radiation - Albedo - K ^* Net Short-wave radiation - L ^* Net Long-wave radiation     

Climate tendencies of changes in multiyear sea ice thickness in the Arctic Basin (1970–2005)

The area integral of the sea ice thickness in the Arctic Basin is estimated from the measurements of sea ice surface fluctuations at drift-ice stations. The 1970–1990 linear trend is indicative of an approximately 10-cm reduction in the average sea ice thickness over the entire Arctic Basin, which makes 3% of the average ice thickness (about 3 m). Seasonal changes made 40 cm. The amplitude of variations of the average ice thickness in that period is 20 cm with a period of changes of approximately 6–8 years. The observations were interrupted during 1991–2003 and then resumed in 2004. During 1990–2005, the old ice thickness over the entire Arctic Basin decreased, on average, by 110 cm.     

Winter precipitation in Western Italian Alps (1926–2010)

Six snow depth and total precipitation time series recorded in Western Italian Alps between 960 and 2,177 m a.s.l. have been analyzed to investigate variability and trends over the period 1926–2010. The results outline a significant decrease of snow depth in the period 1951–2010 ranging from ?0.2 cm/year in the lowest station up to ?1.4 cm/year in the highest one. The contribution to this negative trend comes mainly from spring. These results have been related to the changes in the amount/frequency of total precipitation and to the temperatures analyzed in former studies. The connections between winter precipitation and large-scale atmospheric forcings have been investigated by looking for regular oscillations embedded in the time series. Two different techniques have been used, the MultiTaperMethod and the Monte Carlo Singular Spectral Analysis. Both highlight oscillations corresponding to 2.4–2.7 year periods which are found to be driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation.     

Spatio-temporal variability of behavioral patterns in hydrology in meso-scale basins of the Rhineland Palatinate (1972–2002)

Changes in spatio-temporal rainfall patterns have an effect on the hydrological behavior of river basins, the magnitude of the effects depending among others on the physiographic basin characteristics. To assess climate and discharge fluctuations, a visualization tool was developed as a contribution to exploratory data analysis. The tool combined statistical tests of hydro-climatological variables with physiographic basin characteristics. Test results agree with previous studies and suggested a relationship between rainfall, discharge and mean date of the annual maximum discharge on the one the hand and lithology, altitude and west to east positioning of the basins on the other hand. The visualization tool capable of combining the statistical test results with the geologic and topographic configuration of the study area and allowed a reflection on the hydro-climatological as well as spatio-temporal behavior of meso-scale basins by means of exploratory data analysis.     

FY-4A LMI Observed Lightning Activity in Super Typhoon Mangkhut(2018)in Comparison with WWLLN Data

Using lightning observations from the Fengyun-4A Lightning Mapping Imager(FY-4A LMI),best-track data from the Shanghai Typhoon Institute,bright temperature(TBB)data from Himawari-8 satellite,and composite reflectivity(CR)data from the South China radar network,we investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of lightning activity and convective evolution during the landfall of Super Typhoon Mangkhut,the strongest landing typhoon in China in2018.Three stages of active total lightning are observed,and differences of lightning characteristics between the inner core and the outer rainbands are present.The onset of inner-core lightning outbreak is about 4 h ahead of the maximum intensity of the storm,providing indicative information on the change of typhoon intensity.Lightning rates in the outer rainbands increase rapidly 12 h before the landfall,and lightning activity is mainly confined in the outer rainbands after the landfall.A good correlation in hourly variation is shown between lightning rates from the LMI and TBBs from the satellite.The averaged TBB within the inner core reaches its minimum(–80℃)when the innercore lightning outbreak occurs,indicating the occurrence and enhancement of deep convection there.Lightning locations observed by the LMI has a good spatial correspondence with regions of low TBBs and high CRs,revealing the monitoring capability of the LMI to lightning activity and deep convection in landing typhoons.Comparisons between the World Wide Lightning Location Network(WWLLN)and the LMI reveal that the spatial distribution,temporal evolution,and radial pattern of lightning activity in Mangkhut observed by the two systems are consistent.Furthermore,due to the detection capability of total lightning,the LMI has advantages in revealing the higher ratio of intra-cloud lightning within the inner core in typhoon.The continuous and real-time observation ofFY-4ALMI provides an unprecedented platform for monitoring total lightning and deep convection in landing typhoons in China,which will promote the generation of new research and applications in the future.     

Climate-related variations in crustal trace elements in Dome C (East Antarctica) ice during the past 672 kyr

Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U were determined by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in various sections of the 3,270 m deep ice core recently drilled at Dome C on the high East Antarctic plateau as part of the EPICA program. The sections were dated from 263 kyr bp (depth of 2,368 m) to 672 kyr bp (depth of 3,062 m). When combined with the data previously obtained by Gabrielli and co-workers for the upper 2,193 m of the core, it gives a detailed record for these elements during a 672-kyr period from the Holocene back to Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 16.2. Concentrations and fallout fluxes of all elements are found to be highly variable with low values during the successive interglacial periods and much higher values during the coldest periods of the last eight climatic cycles. Crustal enrichment factors indicates that rock and soil dust is the dominant source for Fe, Rb, Ba and U whatever the period and for Cr during the glacial maxima. The relationship between Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U concentrations and the deuterium content of the ice appears to be similar before and after the Mid-Brunhes Event (MBE, around 430 kyr bp). Mean concentration values observed during the successive interglacials from the Holocene to MIS 15.5 appear to vary from one interglacial to another at least for part of the elements. Concentrations observed during the successive glacial maxima suggest a decreasing trend from the most recent glacial maxima (MIS 2.2 and 4.2) to the oldest glacial maxima such as MIS 14.2, 14.4 and 16.2, which could be linked with changes in the size distribution of dust particles transported from mid-latitude areas to the East Antarctic ice cap.     

Sea water surface energy balance in the Arctic fjord (Hornsund,SW Spitsbergen) in May–November 2014

Maize is grown by millions of smallholder farmers in South Asia (SA) under diverse environments. The crop is grown in different seasons in a year with varying exposure to weather extremes, including high temperatures at critical growth stages which are expected to increase with climate change. This study assesses the impact of current and future heat stress on maize and the benefit of heat-tolerant varieties in SA. Annual mean maximum temperatures may increase by 1.4–1.8 °C in 2030 and 2.1–2.6 °C in 2050, with large monthly, seasonal, and spatial variations across SA. The extent of heat stressed areas in SA could increase by up to 12 % in 2030 and 21 % in 2050 relative to the baseline. The impact of heat stress and the benefit from heat-tolerant varieties vary with the level of temperature increase and planting season. At a regional scale, climate change would reduce rainfed maize yield by an average of 3.3–6.4 % in 2030 and 5.2–12.2 % in 2050 and irrigated yield by 3–8 % in 2030 and 5–14 % in 2050 if current varieties were grown under the future climate. Under projected climate, heat-tolerant varieties could minimize yield loss (relative to current maize varieties) by up to 36 and 93 % in 2030 and 33 and 86 % in 2050 under rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively. Heat-tolerant maize varieties, therefore, have the potential to shield maize farmers from severe yield loss due to heat stress and help them adapt to climate change impacts.     

Spatial and temporal variation in daily temperature indices in summer and winter seasons over India (1969–2012)

Spatial and temporal variations in summer and winter extreme temperature indices are studied by using daily maximum and minimum temperatures data from 227 surface meteorological stations well distributed over India for the period 1969–2012. For this purpose, time series for six extreme temperature indices namely, hot days (HD), very hot days (VHD), extremely hot days (EHD), cold nights (CN), very cold nights (VCN), and extremely cold nights (ECN) are calculated for all the stations. In addition, time series for mean extreme temperature indices of summer and winter seasons are also analyzed. Study reveals high variability in spatial distribution of threshold temperatures of extreme temperature indices over the country. In general, increasing trends are observed in summer hot days indices and decreasing trends in winter cold night indices over most parts of the country. The results obtained in this study indicate warming in summer maximum and winter minimum temperatures over India. Averaged over India, trends in summer hot days indices HD, VHD, and EHD are significantly increasing (+1.0, +0.64, and +0.32 days/decade, respectively) and winter cold night indices CN, VCN, and ECN are significantly decreasing (−0.93, −0.47, and −0.15 days/decade, respectively). Also, it is observed that the impact of extreme temperature is higher along the west coast for summer and east coast for winter.