Lichens as bioindicators of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Valencia, Spain

The lichens due to their symbiotic nature have unique characteristics that confer them a key role as bioindicators of the environmental contamination. Many investigations have been done using epiphytic lichens as bioindicators, but only a few of these studies have used epilithic-crustose lichens. Three different epilithic-crustose lichens species: Candelariella sp., Lecanora sp. and Caloplaca sp. were studied as bioindicators of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, Bi and U trace elements. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry routine procedure is used to determining these element concentrations. Two sites were selected for lichens sampling according to environmental contamination. The lichens were collected on the facade of the Santos Juanes church in an urban area of Valencia; and on the rural area of Albarracin. The main aim of this work is showing the efficacy of the epilithic-crustose lichens as bioindicators of the air pollution. This study shows that the city of Valencia, compared with the rural area has high levels of Cu and Pb as detected using lichens as bioindicators. Therefore on the basis of these results, it can be hypothesized that Candelariella sp., Lecanora sp. and Caloplaca sp. are good accumulators of air borne heavy metals.     

Atmospheric concentrations and deposition of heavy metals over the North Sea: A literature review

A literature review of the atmospheric concentration rates and dry and wet deposition fluxes of particulate Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn to the North Sea and adjacent areas is given. The results of direct measurements of dry and wet deposition fluxes are compared to indirect estimates and to modelling values. This work points out the large uncertainties in results of different studies on atmospheric input of trace elements into the North Sea. The current knowledge about the dependence of the deposition velocity upon the particle size and about the processes controlling wet deposition fluxes, and the quality and completeness of the emission data are still inadequate for describing the environmental cycle and impact of heavy metals in the North Sea.     

Spatial trends in heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in Navarra (Northern Spain) based on moss analysis

A biomonitoring survey using the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. was performed in the North of Navarra (Spain) in 2006. The levels of V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd, Hg and Pb, and the total nitrogen content were determined in the samples by means of ICP-MS, CV-AA, and the Kjeldahl method. PCA analysis showed a differentiation between lithogenic (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, As and Zr) and anthropogenic elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb). Spatial distribution maps were drawn using the kriging method, in order to identify the most affected areas and the main pollution sources. A similar spatial distribution was observed for the elements belonging to each group separated by the PCA, showing an important contribution from metal industries located in the Basque Country, as well as influence of long-range transboundary pollution processes. Background levels were also determined for the study area, along with the contamination factor for the different elements analysed. Mosses seemed to be good biomonitors of N deposition in areas of accumulation.     

Wet deposition of atmospheric inorganic reactive nitrogen (Nr) across an urban-industrial-rural transect of Nr emission hotspot (India)

The present study comprehensively reports the simultaneous measurement of wet deposition of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN; which is the sum of the NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^?-N) at three different sites in Nr emission hotspot of Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) over a year-long temporal scale from October 2017 to September 2018. At rural Meetli (MTL) site, urban Baraut (BRT) site and industrial Loni (LNI) site, the annual wet deposition of NH₄⁺-N was estimated as 21.87, 19.48 and 7.43 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively; the annual wet deposition NO₃^?-N was estimated as 12.96, 12.17 and 4.44 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively; and the annual wet deposition of TIN was estimated as 34.83, 31.64 and 11.87 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively. NH₄⁺-N was dominantly contributing species in annual, monsoon and non-monsoon-time wet deposition of TIN at all sites. The spatial gradient (variability) in percent contribution of NH₄⁺ to total annual volume-weighted mean (VWM) concentration of all analyte ions was observed as MTL (43.23%)?>?BRT (37.90%)?>?LNI (30%). On the other hand, the spatial gradient in percent contribution of NO₃^? to total annual VWM concentration of all analyte ions was observed as MTL (7.45%)?>?BRT (6.89%)?>?LNI (5.32%). The extremely narrow range of NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^?-N ratios (ranging from 1.60 at BRT site to 1.69 at LNI site) showed the approximately equal relative abundance of oxidized and reduced nitrogen (N) deposition across all sites. Inferences from enrichment factor analysis, principal component analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis suggested that across all sites, virtually all NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^?-N depositions were originated anthropogenically. The annual wet deposition of TIN measured in this study showed?≥?6865%,?≥?6228% and?≥?2274% increment than the natural N deposition rate at MTL, BRT and LNI site, respectively. These empirically measured annual wet depositions of TIN also emanated theoretical transgression of critical N load threshold across all sites therefore signifying probable undermining of long-term elastic stability and resilience of ecosystems against stressor in the study domain.

     

Sulphur atmospheric deposition in areas with different anthropogenic loads in Belarus

This article presents some results of an investigation of sulphur atmospheric deposition in areas with different anthropogenic loads in Belarus. Through sampling and chemical analysis of precipitation, new data about sulphate concentrations in precipitation and atmospheric deposition of sulphur in different conditions, including regional background conditions, a large industrial city and a zone affected by point source of sulphur emission, were obtained. Comparison of the chemical composition of precipitation at three sampling locations has shown that the local emission of sulphur compounds has a minor influence on local sulphur deposition. This data points to the dominant role of transboundary transfer of sulphur in contamination and acidification of the environment in Belarus.     

Heavy metals in the atmospheric precipitation on the Barents Sea coast

The results of heavy metal measurements in monthly precipitation samples are analyzed at biological station Dal’nie Zelentsy to define the role of the atmospheric precipitation in the marine environment pollution in the Barents Sea coastal region. Peculiarities of the atmospheric processes and the genesis of air masses bringing the precipitation and the extent of their effect on the precipitation pollution with heavy metals are considered based on the data obtained in 2001–2002. Of the air masses brining the precipitation to the Kola Peninsula coast the air masses of a marine origin have significant advantage. It is shown that weight average heavy metal (except copper) concentrations in the precipitation from the marine air masses on the Kola coast are higher than in the precipitation from the continental air masses. The emissions from local metallurgic enterprises influence the extent of the precipitation pollution with copper.     

Below-cloud rain scavenging of atmospheric aerosols for aerosol deposition models

Below-cloud aerosol scavenging is generally estimated from field measurements using advanced instruments that measure changes in aerosol distributions with respect to rainfall. In this study, we discuss various scavenging mechanisms and scavenging coefficients from past laboratory and field measurements. Scavenging coefficients derived from field measurements (representing natural aerosols scavenging) are two orders higher than that of theoretical ones for smaller particles (D_p < 2 μm). Measured size-resolved scavenging coefficients can be served as a better option to the default scavenging coefficient (e.g. a constant of 10^?4 s^?1 for all size of aerosols, as used in the CALPUFF model) for representing below-cloud aerosol scavenging. We propose scavenging correction parameter (C_R) as an exponential function of size-resolved scavenging coefficients, winds and width in the downwind of the source–receptor system. For a wind speed of 3 m s^?1, C_R decrease with the width in the downwind for particles of diameters D_p < 0.1 μm but C_R does not vary much for particles in the accumulation mode (0.1 < D_p < 2 μm). For a typical urban aerosol distribution, assuming 3 m s^?1 air-flow in the source–receptor system, 10 km downwind width, 2.84 mm h^?1 of rainfall and using aerosol size dependent scavenging coefficients in the C_R, scavenging of aerosols is found to be 16% in number and 24% in volume of total aerosols. Using the default scavenging coefficient (10^?4 s^?1) in the CALPUFF model, it is found to be 64% in both number and volume of total aerosols.     

Influence of the El Chichon eruption in Central Europe determined as change in atmospheric transparency at Davos,Switzerland

Summary From the beginning of 1982, new instrumentation for the continuous measurement of direct solar irradiance has been installed at Davos, Switzerland. From these data the atmospheric transmission, computed by the so-called ratioing technique, is presented. The truly continuous recording allows the establishment of a very homogeneous data set by applying selection rules according to well defined criteria. With the long-term record of the atmospheric transparency (1909–1970) as reference, the influence of the stratospheric aerosol cloud produced by the El Chichon eruption in Mexico 1982 can be readily identified, and also quantified by comparison with LIDAR measurements made in Southern Germany during the same period of time. Other significant decreases of the transparency are found during spring 1984 and winter/spring 1985. As these are not seen in the LIDAR data they must have their origin in the troposphere.

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Zusammenfassung Eine neue Einrichtung zur kontinuierlichen Sonnenstrahlungsmessung wurde 1982 in Davos installiert. Aus den damit gemessenen Daten kann die atmosphärische Transmission mit der sogenannten Verhältnismethode bestimmt werden. Die wirklich kontinuierlichen Aufzeichnungen erlauben, eine sehr homogene Zeitreihe aufzustellen, indem die Daten nach eindeutig definierten Kriterien ausgewählt werden können. Der Vergleich der Transmission 1982–1985 mit dem langjährigen Mittel (1909–1970) zeigt eine Verminderung der Transmission durch die nach Europa verfrachteten Staubwolken der El Chichon Eruptionen in Mexiko und der Vergleich mit LIDAR-Daten läßt diesen Einfluß auch quantitativ beurteilen. Weitere Veränderungen der Transparenz wurden während des Frühjahrs 1984 und im Winter 1985 festgestellt, die aber wahrscheinlich troposphärischen Ursprungs sind.

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With 3 Figures     

南京郊区大气氮化物浓度和氮沉降通量的研究

为研究南京郊区的大气氮化物污染状况,进而估算其大气氮沉降通量,2005年6月-2006年5月在南京大学浦口校区气象园进行了大气、气溶胶和雨水样本的收集,同步进行近地面气象观测.在实验室分析大气氮化物NOx、NH3和有机氮浓度、总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)中硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐、铵盐和有机氮的质量浓度、雨水中NO-3、NO-2、NH+4离子和有机氮的质量浓度,利用气象资料和大叶阻力相似模型计算大气氮化物的干沉降速度,进而定量估算大气氮沉降通量.研究结果表明:南京郊区大气中有机氮浓度水平较高,无机氮(氨态氮和硝态氮)浓度水平较低.大气氮沉降量较大,且湿沉降和有机沉降贡献率占主导地位,这取决于本地区的下垫面和污染状况,同时也与气象条件有密切关系.     

Intraseasonal atmospheric variability and its interannual modulation in Central Africa

The spatial and temporal structures of the intraseasonal atmospheric variability over central Africa is investigated using 2.5°?×?2.5° daily outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis zonal winds for the period 1980–2010. The study begins with an overview of the Central African rainfall regime, noting in particular the contrast amongst Western and Eastern parts, with different topography and surface conditions features. The annual mean rainfall and OLR over the region revealed a zone of intense convective activity centered on the equator near 30°E, which extends southward and covers almost all the Congo forest. The annual cycle of rainfall reflects the classical bi-annual shift of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone across the equatorial belt, between 10°S and 10°N. The result of the empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) analysis has shown that the three leading EOF modes explain about 45?% of total intraseasonal variability. The power spectra of all the three corresponding principal components (PCs) peak around 45–50?days, indicating a Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) signal. The first mode exhibits high positive loadings over Northern Congo, the second over Southern Ethiopia and the third over Southwestern Tanzania. The PCs time series revealed less interannual modulation of intraseasonal oscillations for the Congo mode, while Ethiopian and Tanzanian modes exhibit strong interannual variations. H?vmoller plots of OLR, 200 and 850?hPa NCEP zonal winds found the eastward propagating features to be the dominant pattern in all the three times series, but this propagation is less pronounced in the OLR than in the 850 and 200?hpa zonal wind anomalies. An index of MJO strength was built by averaging the 30–50?day power for each day. A plot of MJO indices and El Ni?o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle confirm a strong interannual modulation of MJO over Eastern central Africa partially linked with the ENSO events (El Ni?o and La Ni?a). Strong MJO activity is observed during La Ni?a years or during ENSO-neutral years, while weak or absent MJO activity is typically associated with strong El Ni?o episodes.     

Large-scale atmospheric conditions associated with heavy rainfall episodes in Southeast Brazil

Heavy rainfall events in austral summer are responsible for almost all the natural disasters in Southeast Brazil. They are mostly associated with two types of atmospheric perturbations: Cold Front (53%) and the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (47%). The important question of what synoptic characteristics distinguish a heavy rainfall event (HRE) from a normal rainfall event (NRE) is addressed in this study. Here, the evolutions of such characteristics are identified through the anomalies with respect to climatology of the composite fields of atmospheric variables. The anomalies associated with HRE are significantly more intense than those associated with NRE in all fundamental atmospheric variables such as outgoing long-wave radiation, sea-level pressure, 500-hPa geopotential, lower and upper tropospheric winds. The moisture flux convergence over Southeast Brazil in the HRE composites is 60% larger than in the NRE composites. The energetics calculations for the HRE that occurred in the beginning of February 1988 strongly suggest that the barotropic instability played an important role in the intensification of the perturbation. These results, especially the intensities of the wind, pressure anomalies, and the moisture convergence are useful for the meteorologists of the Southeast Brazil for forecasting heavy precipitation.     

Trace elements in the atmospheric aerosols at Delhi,North India

The total suspended particulate (TSP) levels at Delhi (north India) were measured on 116 days between February and October 1980. The observations were stratified according to season and the values of cross-correlation of the TSP and its components were evaluated. High TSP (209 g m^-3) levels were found during the summer period associated with hot and dry weather in the region and low TSP (109 g m^-3) were found during the monsoon period. Most of the TSP mass was associated with natural soil elements, such as Fe, Al, Mn, Ca, and K. Only a fraction of the mass of the TSP was comprised of elements from anthropogenic sources, e.g., Pb, Ni, Cd, Sb, Cu, and Zn. The aerosols at Delhi were potentially basic in nature, unlike those in European countries which are acidic in nature and cause acid rainfall.     

Precipitation climate of Central Asia and the large-scale atmospheric circulation

The precipitation climate in the larger Tian Shan region of Central Asia is described in terms of the climatological seasonal moisture fluxes and background circulation based on the ERA-40 reanalysis data and a precipitation reanalysis. The study area is partitioned into (1) the Tarim river basin, (2) bordering regions of China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and (3) Northwestern China. Moisture supply to these areas is primarily due to the midlatitude westerlies with contributions from higher latitudes. In addition, moisture from the Indian Ocean is notably imported into the Tarim drainage area. Monthly interannual precipitation variability relates to the variability of hemispheric circulation patterns. Extreme precipitation above and below normal in Western China and Central Asia is analyzed using the standardized precipitation index. Related circulation composites show that, despite regional and seasonal differences, episodes of extreme and severe dryness are dominated by various upstream standing wave patterns from the North Atlantic to Central Asia. These features extend further downstream to the North Pacific. Non-symmetry between wet and dry composites is noted upstream and in regional moisture flux composites.     

Enhanced atmospheric phosphorus deposition in Asia and Europe in the past two decades

磷是植物生长必需的元素,磷缺乏将限制植被生产力及碳汇功能.为厘清全球大气磷沉降的时空格局,本文收集了 1959-2020年发表的396条观测资料.结果发现,全球大气磷沉降的几何均值为0.32 kg ha-1 yr-1,全球大气磷库约4.4Tg yr-1.与1959-2000年相比,近20年亚洲和欧洲大气磷沉降呈现上升趋势,主要来源是农业活动,沙尘传输和燃烧源排放.碳中和背景下,清洁空气行动是否会改变磷沉降的途径和形态,进而影响到生态系统的结构和功能,是需要回答的科学问题.     

Changes in integral and aerosol atmospheric turbidity in Trans-Baikal and Central Siberia

The analysis of time series of the Linke turbidity factors is performed for the atmosphere mass m = 2 (T ₂) and atmospheric aerosol optical thickness for the wavelength λ₀ = 0.55 μm (AOT) from the data of 14 actinometrical stations of Central Siberia and Trans-Baikal territory. It is shown that over the period from 1976 to 2006, the increased atmospheric transparency is observed in the region. Quantitative estimates of changes in multiyear mean annual variations of T ₂ and AOT at different periods of averaging and for different time periods are derived.     

Variations in heavy metals concentrations in Antarctic snows from 1940 to 1980

Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn have been measured using improved ultraclean procedures in a succession of twenty six snow samples integrating a 40 yr time sequence from 1940 to 1980 which were collected from the walls of a 6 m deep pit at stake D 55 in Adelie Land, East Antarctica. Measured concentrations, which are among the lowest ones ever measured in Antarctic snows, are found not to have significantly increased during the investigated time period, with the possible exception of Pb for which there might have been a significant increase after the mid 1960's. For this last metal, measured concentrations in the 1940's are about 6-fold higher than in Antarctic Holocene ice several thousand years old, which indicates that a large fraction of the anthropogenic increase for Pb probably occurred before the 1940's.     

一次大范围暴雪天气的大气环境形成机理研究

通过分析2009年11月9—12日的一次大范围暴雪天气事件,探讨其发生前期和过程中的大气环境条件及形成机理。通过研究分析环流特征、星载雷达有关能数、物理量场诊断等表明:此次天气过程中暴雪区域上空对流层中低层一直存在着一层具有增温增湿特征的层状云,暴雪前大气低层高温高湿的环境为暴雪的发生提供了一个有利的温湿能量蓄积场;东北回流冷空气的入侵是层状云开始形成的触发机制;大气低层因水汽凝结产生的大量凝结潜热促进了垂直上升运动,大气中低层在水汽条件具备时,通过垂直上升运动的作用使水汽大量凝结增长,形成层状云。