Assessment of extreme weather events on transport networks: case study of the 2007 wildfires in Peloponnesus

This paper deals with the 2007 wildfires that hit Peloponnesus, the southern peninsula of Greece, presenting an overview of the impacts in terms of infrastructural damages and human injuries and losses. Network performance and components’ criticality analyses are used to assess the effects of the fires in vehicular traffic and the overall transport network. The crisis and emergency management of the event are discussed in depth, highlighting potential gaps and possibilities for future improvement. The paper concludes with a presentation of the adaptation measures that succeeded the event in terms of recovery plans, national efforts on fire prevention programs and wildfire management.     

辽宁省积雪对自动气象站观测地气温差的影响

利用1971—2016年辽宁省61个气象站气温、地表温度、积雪日数和积雪深度资料,分析了积雪的保温作用及其对地气温差的影响。结果表明：更换自动站前后地表温度观测方式的差异导致地气温差显著增大,地气温差的增大程度受所在区域积雪日数、积雪深度的影响显著。在积雪期较长、积雪较厚的地区,积雪引起反照率增大,使得雪面温度降低,导致雪气温差减小,而雪的保温作用使得地气温差显著增大。因此,更换自动站前地（雪）气温差与积雪日数呈显著负相关,而更换自动站后地气温差与积雪日数呈显著正相关。各台站之间地气温差随积雪深度的变化系数差异较大,为0.045~0.858 ℃?cm^-1,在年平均积雪日数＜40 d、年平均极端积雪深度＜10 cm的区域,积雪的保温作用随积雪深度增大而显著增大;在年平均积雪日数＞40 d、年平均极端积雪深度＞10 cm的区域,10 cm以下的积雪对土壤保温作用随积雪深度增大显著,当积雪深度＞10 cm后,其保温作用随积雪深度增大的幅度明显减小。     

History of surface weather observations in the United States

In this paper, the history of surface weather observations in the United States is reviewed. Local weather observations were first documented in the 17th Century along the East Coast. For many years, the progression of a weather observation from an initial reading to dissemination remained a slow and laborious process. The number of observers remained small and unorganized until agencies including the Surgeon General, Army, and General Land Office began to request regular observations at satellite locations in the 1800s. The Smithsonian was responsible for first organizing a large “network” of volunteer weather observers across the nation. These observers became the foundation for today's Cooperative Observer network. As applications of weather data continued to grow and users required the data with an ever-decreasing latency, automated weather networks saw rapid growth in the later part of the 20th century. Today, the number of weather observations across the U.S. totals in the tens of thousands due largely to privately-owned weather networks and amateur weather observers who submit observations over the internet.     

A note on the weather and rice yield relationship at some stations in India

A study was conducted with four traditional photosensitive and one high yielding rice varieties grown during the kharif season under rainfed conditions. The curvilinear technique was used to examine the influence of meteorological parameters on the yield of rice. Rice varieties grown in different agroclimatic regions performed differently to climatic parameters. The maximum yield was observed when rainfall ranged between 100 and 115 cm. Maximum and minimum temperature ranges of 29–32°C and 23–25°C respectively appear ideal for optimum yield. Photoinsensitive high yielding variety performed well even at low light intensity (250-350 hours of bright sunshine).     

基于SIG的地质资料社会化服务的构建与思考

地质资料社会化服务已日益受到各级政府和公众的关注.在充分分析和对比国内外地质资料社会化服务的基础上,提出了基于空间信息网格(SIG)的地质资料社会化服务的构架模式,以解决目前地质资料社会化服务中存在的诸多矛盾,希望起到抛砖引玉之作用.     

基于SIG的地质资料社会化服务的构建与思考

地质资料社会化服务已日益受到各级政府和公众的关注。在充分分析和对比国内外地质资料社会化服务的基础上,提出了基于空间信息网格（SIG）的地质资料社会化服务的构架模式,以解决目前地质资料社会化服务中存在的诸多矛盾,希望起到抛砖引玉之作用。     

基于SIG的地质资料社会化服务的构建与思考

地质资料社会化服务已日益受到各级政府和公众的关注。在充分分析和对比国内外地质资料社会化服务的基础上,提出了基于空间信息网格（SIG）的地质资料社会化服务的构架模式,以解决目前地质资料社会化服务中存在的诸多矛盾,希望起到抛砖引玉之作用。     

利用航空γ能谱资料快速预测环境氡浓度

航空γ能谱测量方法是核辐射区域本地调查,区域环境中核辐射污染调查和评价的有效方法.文中不同于以往的利用航空γ能谱测量数据换算地面(1 m高)空气吸收剂量率的方法,而是运用大地-大气氡交换理论模型及氡的析出率理论,预测区域空气中氡浓度,并可计算出区域氡地质潜势.计算结果表明方法快速、高效,具有较好的实用价值.     

Effects of weather types on hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in Castilla-La Mancha,Spain

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the risk of hospital admission for respiratory diseases (RD) and the daily weather types during the period 2000-2006. A synoptic climatological approach is used to investigate links between air-mass types (weather situations) and all respiratory hospital admissions in the Castilla-La Mancha (CLM) area in Spain. This afforded the main circulation weather types (CWTs) for the winter and spring periods (since respiratory hospital admissions reached their maximum during these seasons) and the frequency distributions of these types were analyzed. A summary of the main characteristics of the hospital admission series and their distribution over the seven years studied, together with the frequency distributions of the admissions classified by sex and ages, for season, month and for each day of the week, is reported. In addition, a comparison between air-mass classification and hospital admissions is made using an admission index (AI). The results reveal different responses of respiratory admission rates to the eight air-mass types identified in winter and in spring. In winter, three air massess southwesterly (SW), anti-cyclonic (A) and hybrid anti-cyclonic southwesterly (HASW), are associated with values 1.5 times higher than the respective average admission rates, while in spring no significant differences are seen.     

Analysis of the 1 November 2015 heavy rainfall episode in Algarve by using weather radar and rain gauge data

The trigger for the study presented in this paper was the extreme rain event of 1 November 2015 in Algarve region. The main objective was the analysis and improvement of the precipitation field using a radar–rain gauge merging method. Ordinary kriging with radar-based error correction has been applied to hourly values of precipitation from both sensors. The merging technique allowed keeping the better radar spatial pattern, being the respective estimates corrected by the rain gauges observations. The procedure led to a reduction in the errors of the precipitation estimates, evaluated by cross-validation, when compared to univariate interpolation of rain gauge observation or radar rain product. Finally, some discussion is also added on the problematic of flooding in urban areas, especially those with absent or deficient urban planning.     

Analysis of the 1 November 2015 heavy rainfall episode in Algarve by using weather radar and rain gauge data

The trigger for the study presented in this paper was the extreme rain event of 1 November 2015 in Algarve region. The main objective was the analysis and improvement of the precipitation field using a radar–rain gauge merging method. Ordinary kriging with radar-based error correction has been applied to hourly values of precipitation from both sensors. The merging technique allowed keeping the better radar spatial pattern, being the respective estimates corrected by the rain gauges observations. The procedure led to a reduction in the errors of the precipitation estimates, evaluated by cross-validation, when compared to univariate interpolation of rain gauge observation or radar rain product. Finally, some discussion is also added on the problematic of flooding in urban areas, especially those with absent or deficient urban planning.

     

哈尔滨城市地表土的物质组成与沙尘天气

沙尘对环境的污染被人们越来越重视,是生态环境研究的重要组成部分,本文对哈尔滨城市不同类型松散地表土进行了采样和物质组成特征进行了较全面的研究.结果表明:河床冲积物和哈尔滨市土壤对哈尔滨沙尘天气的贡献较小;而地表裸土的粒度和化学组成特征指示了道路裸土和建筑土是哈尔滨沙尘天气主要的物质源地,以为沙尘天气提供大量的粉尘物质.这不仅对哈尔滨沙尘研究提供了基础资料,也对确定哈尔滨沙尘来源区并科学控制沙尘暴提供了一定的理论依据.     

Evaluation of distortion of residuals in trend surface analysis by clustered data

Distortion is induced in multiple linear regression by clusters of data. The magnitude of this distortion is a function of the magnitude of the mean of the clustered data. The location and estimated amount of maximum induced distortion can be obtained by evaluating the surface in question with and without clusters. The difference between these surfaces is the induced distortion. Clustering of data points is common in map data and especially in subsurface information. The Albion-Scipio Trend, an oil and gas field in Southern Michigan, has 82 percent of the available data in clusters. Evaluation of the distortion indicates that the analysis contains a measureable amount of distortion but its small magnitude does not alter the structural interpretation of the area.     

利用ASTER数据反演陆面温度的研究进展

目前利用ASTER数据反演陆面温度的算法可划分为3类：ASTERTES（Temperature／Emissivity Separation）算法，多通道算法，辐射传输算法。对上述3类方法进行了分析比较，提出了今后工作中要：实现遥感的综合反演、地表发射率的精确获取以及反演实用价值更大的组分温度的努力方向。     

Spatial data availability and its implications for sustainable development of the Brazilian Amazon

In the Amazonia region, general policy based on sustainable development must be adopted to counterbalance natural conservation and the needs of people. To discuss and monitor the regional development requires a significant variety of spatial data. However, making data available is not simple and various solutions usually are presented in non-standardized and non-interchangeable databases. This paper presents an overview of spatial data available for the Amazonia region, and initiatives of data dissemination systems, considering various geographical scales and data access. From this general perspective, we discuss some ideas about the importance of spatial data for sustainability and suggest interactive systems that could contribute to local development and environmental conservation. The limitation on the promotion of spatial information and data sharing in Amazonia is neither computational nor technological. Rather, it is a matter of informing those who generate the data about the benefits of knowledge as a public good and promoting collaborative work. Creating a convergent spatial consciousness about the territory, and bringing together every environmental player, is a step towards the discussion and planning of the sustainable development of the Amazonia.     

Assessment of variations in benzene concentration produced from vehicles and gas stations in Tehran using GIS

This study investigates the variations of benzene concentration levels in district 1, situated in the north part of Tehran, capital of Iran. Thirty-three stations in five categories, namely roadsides, busy roads, residential areas, traffic intersections, and the vicinity of gas stations, were monitored during the rush hours in the afternoon once a week over a period of 1 year. Accordingly, benzene concentration levels were measured and predicted by inverse distance weight model. The recorded benzene concentration levels were then compared with those reported in other parts of the world. According to the results, the annual concentration levels of benzene was 13.85 ppb for roads with heavy traffic flow, 14.98 ppb for traffic intersections, 29.01 ppb for the vicinity of the gas stations, 3.26 ppb for residential areas, and 9.97 ppb for roadsides. The concentration of benzene in the vicinity of the gas station sampling point was higher than in the other stations, and at all locations was found to be so much more than the standard concentration levels (1.56 ppb) prescribed by Environmental Protection Agency for the ambient air quality. The results of the study revealed that the benzene concentration levels in Tehran are distinctly more than its standard level. This is mainly attributed to the poor quality of fuel and lack of a standard system for controlling petrol vapors in the gas stations.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface water

A total of 96 surface water samples collected from river Ganga in West Bengal during 2004–05 was analyzed for pH, EC, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni. The pH was found in the alkaline range (7.21–8.32), while conductance was obtained in the range of 0.225–0.615 mmhos/cm. Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr and Pb were detected in more than 92% of the samples in the range of 0.025–5.49, 0.025–2.72, 0.012–0.370, 0.012–0.375, 0.001–0.044 and 0.001–0.250 mg/L, respectively, whereas Cd and Cu were detected only in 20 and 36 samples (0.001–0.003 and 0.003–0.032 mg/L). Overall seasonal variation was significant for Fe, Mn, Cd and Cr. The maximum mean concentration of Fe (1.520 mg/L) was observed in summer, Mn (0.423 mg/L) in monsoon but Cd (0.003 mg/L) and Cr (0.020 mg/L) exhibited their maximum during the winter season. Fe, Mn and Cd concentration also varied with the change of sampling locations. The highest mean concentrations (mg/L) of Fe (1.485), Zn (0.085) and Cu (0.006) were observed at Palta, those for Mn (0.420) and Ni (0.054) at Berhampore, whereas the maximum of Pb (0.024 mg/L) and Cr (0.018 mg/L) was obtained at the downstream station, Uluberia. All in all, the dominance of various heavy metals in the surface water of the river Ganga followed the sequence: Fe > Mn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. A significant positive correlation was exhibited for conductivity with Cd and Cr of water but Mn exhibited a negative correlation with conductivity.     

中国对流性天气现象观测资料质量控制及其年、季节特征分析

基于2 474个国家级气象台站1954-2015年观测的对流性天气现象（包括雷暴、闪电、冰雹、大风）数据,进行了有效的质量控制,并采用气候统计学方法,研究了中国对流性天气的时空变化特征和气候趋势。结果表明：全国平均的雷暴、闪电、冰雹、大风发生频率分别为11.0%、6.8%、0.33%和3.8%,且季节变化明显。我国雷暴、闪电日数自北向南基本呈逐渐增多的格局。在内蒙古地区、青藏高原、沿海地区等三个平均风速较大的地区,发生大风天气现象的日数也相应较多。对流性天气现象年发生日数呈下降趋势。分别有68.3%、67.5%、0.8%、41.6%台站雷暴、闪电、冰雹、大风日数年变化存在显著减少趋势。     

Assessing groundwater availability and the response of the groundwater system to intensive exploitation in the North China Plain by analysis of long-term isotopic tracer data

The use of isotope tracers as a tool for assessing aquifer responses to intensive exploitation is demonstrated and used to attain a better understanding of the sustainability of intensively exploited aquifers in the North China Plain. Eleven well sites were selected that have long-term (years 1985–2014) analysis data of isotopic tracers. The stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H and hydrochemistry were used to understand the hydrodynamic responses of the aquifer system, including unconfined and confined aquifers, to groundwater abstraction. The time series data of ¹⁴C activity were also used to assess groundwater age, thereby contributing to an understanding of groundwater sustainability and aquifer depletion. Enrichment of the heavy oxygen isotope (¹⁸O) and elevated concentrations of chloride, sulfate, and nitrate were found in groundwater abstracted from the unconfined aquifer, which suggests that intensive exploitation might induce the potential for aquifer contamination. The time series data of ¹⁴C activity showed an increase of groundwater age with exploitation of the confined parts of the aquifer system, which indicates that a larger fraction of old water has been exploited over time, and that the groundwater from the deep aquifer has been mined. The current water demand exceeds the sustainable production capabilities of the aquifer system in the North China Plain. Some measures must be taken to ensure major cuts in groundwater withdrawals from the aquifers after a long period of depletion.     

Prediction of weather parameters on a very short time scale by an Auto Regressive process for aviation flight planning

Forecasting weather parameters such as temperature and pressure with a reasonable degree of accuracy three hours ahead of the scheduled departure of an aircraft helps economic and efficient planning of aircraft operations. However, these two parameters exhibit a high degree of persistency and have nonstationary mean and variance at sub-periods (i.e. at 0000, 0300, 0600,…, 2100UTC). Hence these series have been standardised (to have mean 0 and variance 1) and thereafter seasonal differenced (lag 8) to achieve almost near stationarity. An attempt has been made to fit the standardised and seasonal differenced series of Chennai (a coastal station) and Trichy (an inland station) airport into an Auto Regressive (AR) process. The model coefficients have been estimated based on adaptive filter algorithm which uses the method of convergence by the steepest descent. The models were tested with an independent data set and diagnostic checks were made on the residual error series. An independent estimation of fractal dimension has also been made in this study to conform the number parameters used in the AR processes. The models contemplated in this study are parsimonious and can be used to forecast surface temperature and pressure.