Lichens as Biomonitors of Depleted Uranium in Kosovo

This paper reports the results of a study using lichens as biomonitors to investigate the environmental distribution of depleted uranium (DU) at selected Kosovo sites as a consequence of the use of DU ordnance during the conflict of 1999. The results suggested that the use of DU ammunitions did not cause a diffuse environmental contamination in such a way to have caused a detectable U enrichment in lichens. Also isotopic ²³⁵U/²³⁸U measurements did not indicate the presence of DU particles in lichens, except for some samples at a heavily shelled site, which resulted contaminated by DU.     

井冈山森林火灾与气象条件的相关分析

根据江西井冈山森林火灾资料,利用一元回归和逐步回归分析方法,对井冈山1991—2000年森林火灾发生期间的连旱日数、降水量、相对湿度、气温、风速5个主要气象指标进行分析,将各指标分别与火灾发生次数、森林受害面积进行回归计算,建立了利用连旱日数和降水量预测森林火灾受灾面积及发生次数的数学模型。模式运算结果表明,当火灾发生前15 d连旱日数增加时,火灾次数增加;当火灾发生前15 d连旱日数增加、降水量减少时,火灾面积增加。     

Atmospheric Deposition of Trace Elements in Romania Studied by the Moss Biomonitoring Technique

The first systematic study in Romania of atmospheric pollution from heavy metals and other toxic elements based on moss analysis was undertaken as a Romanian–Russian–Norwegian collaboration, primarily in order to assess the general state of heavy metal pollution in Romania. An additional goal was to contribute to the European heavy metals in mosses survey, conducted under the auspices UNECE ICP Vegetation which reports to the Working Group of Effects of the Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution Convention. Samples of the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme, Hylocomium splendens and Brachytechium salebrosum and B. rutabulum were collected during the period 1995–2001. A total of 40 elements were determined using NAA and AAS. The total concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel, vanadium and zinc are presented in the form of contour maps. Generally, the observed concentrations in Romania are markedly higher than those observed in most other countries of Europe using the moss technique.     

The Measurement of Active Chlorine in the Atmosphere by Chemical Amplification

Chemical amplification, CA, a method commonly used for the detection of peroxy radicals, HO₂ and RO₂, was found to be sensitive towards ClOx (Cl+ClO+OClO) as well. ClOx is reduced by NO to Cl atoms which react with carbon monoxide in the presence of O₂. The reaction sequence thus initiated oxidizes CO to CO₂ and NO to NO₂, with a chain length of 300 ± 60. This allows the atmospheric ClOx content to be measured under ambient conditions with a detection limit of better than 1 ppt. In parallel peroxy radicals are indicated with a chain length of 160 ± 15. Chemical amplification is not specific and does not indicate which radical chain it is seeing. Identification relies solely on plausibility. During the ARCtic Tropospheric Ozone Chemistry (ARCTOC) campaign in spring 1995 and 1996 the CA technique was used at Ny-Ålesund. ClOx at mixing ratios of up to 2 ppt were found in the boundary layer under certain conditions. The low concentrations of ClOx indicate that the arctic boundary ozone depletion is mainly driven by bromine.     

Trends and Variability of Sea Surface Temperature in the Northwest Atlantic from Three Historical Gridded Datasets

ABSTRACT

Historical variability in sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic (NA) is examined using trend and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analyses of annual and summer means from three interpolated monthly datasets: Hadley Centre Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature (HadISST1), Extended Reconstruction of SST (ERSST), and Centennial in situ Observation-Based Estimates (COBE). Comparisons with time series of upper-ocean temperature from four monitoring sites off Atlantic Canada reveal substantial similarity in the interannual to multi-decadal variability but notable differences in the longer-term trends. The magnitude of decadal-scale variability is comparable to, or greater than, the long-term changes in all of the datasets; together with the trend discrepancies, this needs to be considered in climate change applications. Averaged over the NA, the annual means have a long-term increasing trend and a pronounced multi-decadal variation, resembling those in global mean (land-ocean) surface temperature and the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO). There is remarkable similarity in the spatial and temporal variability of the three leading EOF modes from the different gridded datasets, with the first highly correlated with the AMO, the second modestly correlated with the winter North Atlantic Oscillation, and the third apparently related to ocean circulation variability. Trends since 1981 are generally two to three times larger than those since 1900 and 1950, which is at least partly related to the phase of the AMO. Trends in the summer means are generally larger than in the annual means. Overall, the results provide support for both anthropogenic global warming and decadal-scale natural variations making important contributions to ocean climate variability in the Northwest Atlantic.     

春季欧亚大陆积雪主模态及其与北大西洋海温的关系

本文利用日本第二次全球大气再分析项目（JRA-55）提供的逐日积雪深度数据、欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）提供的全球再分析数据及Hadley海温数据分析了春季欧亚大陆积雪异常模态及其与北大西洋海温的遥相关关系,并通过模式模拟分析验证。结果表明:春季欧亚大陆雪深前两种模态差异显著,分别表现为东、西区域同向变化及反向变化两种非对称形态。其中,同期北大西洋“三极子型”海温模态与“马鞍型”海温模态分别与雪深第一、第二模态具有显著相关关系,这两种海温模态下对应的北半球中高纬波动作用通量分别呈丝绸之路（SRP）型和欧亚波列（EU）型两种传播特征,对中高纬西风气流的位置、强度产生了不同影响,进而对欧亚雪深分布产生遥相关作用。通过局地多尺度能量涡度分析法（Localized Multiscale Energy and Vorticity Analysis,简称MSE-VA）表明,北大西洋源区有自下向上的动能传输,另外,西风急流出口的平均动能转化增加,使得高层动能累积并向外辐散,从而对下游产生遥相关作用。通过CAM5.1模式模拟研究了北大西洋“三极子型”和“马鞍型”两种海温模态下的波作用通量传播特征,结果较好地验证了来自北大西洋的波动作用通量传播呈“SRP”型和“EU”型两种特征,对应的降雪分布表明两种模态下气候场要素的变化与对应雪深模态的分布特征一致。     

Future changes in internal variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

The response of the internal variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) to enhanced atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations has been estimated from an ensemble of climate change scenario runs. In the model, enhanced greenhouse forcing results in a weaker and shallower MOC with reduced internal variability. At the same time at 55°N between 0 and 1,000 m the overturning increases as a result of a change in the area of convection. In a warmer world, new regions of deepwater formation form further north due to the poleward retreat of the sea-ice boundary. The dominant pattern of internal MOC-variability consists of a monopole centered around 35°N. Due to anthropogenic warming this monopole shifts poleward. The shift is associated with a stronger relation between MOC-variations and heat flux variations over the subpolar gyre. In old convective sites (Labrador Sea) convection becomes more irregular which leads to enhanced heat flux variability. In new convective sites heat flux variations initially are related to sea-ice variations. When the sea-ice coverage further decreases they become associated with (irregular) deepwater formation. Both processes act to tighten the relation between subpolar surface heat flux variability and MOC-variability, resulting in a poleward shift of the latter.     

Changes of Air–sea Coupling in the North Atlantic over the 20th Century

Changes of air–sea coupling in the North Atlantic Ocean over the 20 th century are investigated using reanalysis data,climate model simulations, and observational data. It is found that the ocean-to-atmosphere feedback over the North Atlantic is significantly intensified in the second half of the 20 th century. This coupled feedback is characterized by the association between the summer North Atlantic Horseshoe(NAH) SST anomalies and the following winter North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO). The intensification is likely associated with the enhancement of the North Atlantic storm tracks as well as the NAH SST anomalies. Our study also reveals that most IPCC AR4 climate models fail to capture the observed NAO/NAH coupled feedback.     

北大西洋涛动指数变化与北半球冬季阻塞活动

线性回归分析表明北大西洋涛动(NAO)主要与大西洋、欧洲及乌拉尔山地区阻塞的频率和强度的变化存在显著相关关系.在NAO负位相时期阻塞活动在大西洋地区较为频繁且强度较强,正位相时期大西洋地区阻塞活动减少,强度减弱,而欧洲阻塞加强,频率增加,同时乌拉尔山地区的阻塞活动也显著减少.NAO正指数的增强和减弱对应于大西洋和欧洲阻...     

一个淡水扰动试验中垂直混合对于北大西洋经圈环流的影响

It has been reported recently that the simulated Atlantic meridional overturning circulation(AMOC) using the coupled Bergen climate model(BCM) showed initial intensity declines followed by gradual recoveries over a 150-year enhanced freshwater input experiment.Stratification-dependent oceanic diapycnal mixing has been hypothesized as a reason for the simulated recovery of the AMOC.This study investigated the role of diapycnal mixing in transient responses of simulated AMOCs.Our results showed that stratification-dependent diapycnal mixing can cause stronger upwelling of deep water in the tropical Atlantic than that produced under conditions of fixed diapycnal mixing.Moreover,simulated AMOCs were more sensitive to active stratification-dependent diapycnal mixing than fixed mixing.However,stratification-dependent diapycnal mixing cannot be conclusively singled out as the critical cause of the recoveries of simulated AMOCs under enhanced-freshwater inputs.     

Distribution of CO2 parameters in the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean

The variability of sea surface Total Alkalinity (TA) and sea surface Total Inorganic Carbon (C_T) is examined using all available data in the western tropical Atlantic (WTA: 20°S-20°N, 60°W-20°W). Lowest TA and C_T are observed for the region located between 0°N-15°N/60°W-50°W and are explained by the influence of the Amazon plume during boreal summer. In the southern part of the area, 20°S-10°S/40°W-60°W, the highest values of TA and C_T are linked to the CO₂–rich waters due to the equatorial upwelling, which are transported by the South Equatorial Current (SEC) flowing from the African coast to the Brazilian shore. An increase of C_T of 0.9 ± 0.3 μmol kg⁻¹yr⁻¹ has been observed in the SEC region and is consistent with previous published estimates. A revised C_T-Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) relationship is proposed for the WTA to take into account the variability of C_T at low salinities. This new C_T-SSS relationship together with a published TA-SSS relationship allow to calculate pCO₂ values that compare well with observed pCO₂ (R² = 0.90).     

Vertical Distribution Patterns of Trace Elements in an Urban Environment as Reflected by their Accumulation in Lichen Transplants

The results of an investigation about the vertical distribution patterns of selected trace elements in an urban environment, as reflected by their accumulation in lichen transplants, are reported. Thalli of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea were transplanted in 2 sites in the urban area of Thessaloniki (N Greece), subjected to very different traffic loads: 1) Tsimiski, downtown of Thessaloniki, at one of the busiest streets of the city, a street canyon 2) Toumba, far from the city centre, at the edge of the city, at an open street. In each site, thalli were suspended along a vertical transect at 3, 6, 9 and 12 m, and retrieved after one year. The results showed that while at Toumba the elemental composition of lichen samples was essentially influenced by natural occurrence, mainly airborne soil dust, at Tsimiski also anthropogenic input of pollutants determined by vehicle traffic was involved for some elements such as Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The vertical distribution patterns of heavy metals accumulated in lichens showed that in general elevation has no statistically significant influence on the concentration of most metals, but this was not true for Pb, whose concentrations increased with increasing elevation from ground. Residents may thus be more exposed to high concentrations of Pb than pedestrians.     

西伯利亚高压强度与北大西洋海温异常的关系

利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和NOAA海温等资料,采用EOF、相关分析等方法,研究了西伯利亚高压(Siberian High,SH)强度和北大西洋海表温度(SST)的变化特征,揭示了二者的联系及其时空变化。结果表明:1)冬季SH在1960s中后期开始偏弱,2003年后略增强。2)各季北大西洋SST指数(全区平均SST的标准化距平)均在1960s中期后偏低,1990s末后偏高。北大西洋海温三极子位相由正转负的时间在春冬季(1970s初)晚于夏秋季(1960s初),而后均在1990s中期后进入正位相。3)各季偏高(低)的北大西洋SST指数和海温三极子正(负)位相均有利于冬季SH偏强(弱),但前者与SH的关系更显著,且冬季最强。北大西洋北部和西南部是影响SH强度的关键区,但SH对北部SST异常的响应范围在冬季最大,而对西南部的响应范围在夏季最大。4)当冬季大西洋SST指数异常偏高时,下游激发出的罗斯贝波列使乌拉尔山高压脊加强,使SH上空负相对涡度平流增大,高层辐合和低层辐散增强,整个对流层下沉气流深厚,促使SH增强,反之亦然。     

卑尔根气候模式中大西洋热盐环流年代际与年际变率的气候影响

利用一个全球海气耦合模式--卑尔根气候模式的积分结果,揭示了与大西洋热盐环流(THC)年代际和年际振荡相对应的气候异常型.年代际振荡发生在全海盆尺度,伴有亚速尔高压的增强、冰岛低压的加深;年际振荡发生在局地尺度,伴有亚速尔高压的减弱.这两种海平面气压异常型都反映了北大西洋涛动(NAO)活动中心的强度变化,两种变率型对应的拉布拉多海对流活动都加剧.但伴随局地尺度的THC调整,伊尔明格海的对流活动减弱.蒸发异常对拉布拉多海表层盐度异常的影响较为显著.分析表明,局地尺度的THC振荡主要是对大气强迫的被动响应,而海盆尺度THC振荡的实质是反映整个输送带的强度变化,其气候意义要大于THC的局地振荡.     

The importance of local forest benefits: Economic valuation of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania

Understanding the spatial distribution of the quantity and economic value of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) collection gives insight into the benefits that local communities obtain from forests, and can inform decisions about the selection of forested areas that are eligible for conservation and enforcement of regulations. In this paper we estimate transferable household production functions of NTFP extraction in the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) in Tanzania, based on information from seven multi-site datasets related to the behaviour of over 2000 households. The study shows that the total benefit flow of charcoal, firewood, poles and thatch from the EAM to the local population has an estimated value of USD 42 million per year, and provides an important source of additional income for local communities, especially the poorest, who mainly depend on subsistence agriculture. The resulting map of economic values shows that benefits vary highly across space with population density, infrastructure and resource availability. We argue that if further restrictions on forest access to promote conservation are considered, this will require additional policies to prevent a consequent increase in poverty, and an enforced trade-off between conservation and energy supply to rural and urban households.     

北大西洋涛动对新疆夏季降水异常的影响

利用1961~2003年NCEP/NCAR再分析和新疆75个气象站月降水资料,分析新疆夏季降水与沿西亚副热带西风急流Rossby波和北大西洋涛动（NAO）的关系,研究表明,夏季斯堪的纳维亚半岛-中欧—西亚和中亚的准静止波传播是联系NAO与沿西亚副热带西风急流波活动和新疆夏季降水变化的纽带。通过波作用量的动力学诊断分析,讨论了夏季NAO正、负位相异常年准静止波传播特征和差异,夏季NAO强弱活动影响斯堪的纳维亚半岛EP通量散度强度和位置异常,该区EP通量散度强度和位置异常导致强辐散中心在中高纬向东传播的准静止波和沿副热带西风急流准静止波活动变化,从而影响新疆夏季降水。     

Biomonitoring of Element Deposition Using Mosses in the 2000 French Survey: Identifying Sources and Spatial Trends

In the year 2000, the elemental composition of mosses collected from 528 French sites has been studied as part of the 2000 European Moss Survey. Five moss species were collected: Scleropodium purum (56%), Pleurozium schreberi (18%), Hypnum cupressiforme (18%), Thuidium tamariscinum (4.5%.) and Hylocomium splendens (3.5%). Mosses were kept whole for analysis, including green and brownish parts. Summary statistics on element concentrations (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zn), and comparisons made with data from the other 27 participating European countries are shown here. The sources of these elements are identified using calculations of enrichment factors (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). Finally, the spatial distribution in France of 10 elements is also shown, using maps underscoring areas showing highest concentration levels for each metal.     

Possible Impact of the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation on Extreme Hot Events in China

This paper reveals that the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) is closely related to the extreme hot event (EHE) variability in China during the period of 1979 2009, with a positive-phase (negative-phase) SNAO corresponding to less (more) EHEs in northern China. The summer circulation anomalies associated with the SNAO give further confirmation of the above relationship. In a positive-phase (negative-phase) SNAO year, there is an anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) over central East Asia, which can increase (decrease) the total cloud cover over this region. Such changes of the total cloud cover can then decrease (increase) the solar radiation reaching the surface, which is consequently unfavorable (favorable) to the formation of EHEs over northern China.     

The Role of Warm North Atlantic SST in the Formation of Positive Height Anomalies over the Ural Mountains during January 2008

The most severe snowstorm and freezing-rain event in the past 50 years hit central and southern China in January 2008. One of the main reasons for the anomalous climate event was the occurrence of atmospheric circulation anomalies over middle and high latitudes, particularly the persistent blocking that occurred over the Ural Mountains. Along with atmospheric anomalies, a strong La Nia event in the Pacific and warm sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the North Atlantic were the most significant in the lower boundary. Since a brief analysis suggests that La Nia exerts no significant impact on the Urals, the key point of focus in this study is on the role of the warmer SSTAs in the North Atlantic. Based on an observational composite, North Atlantic SSTAs pattern when the height anomaly over the Urals is strongly positive is found similar to that in January 2008, but no significant SSTAs occurred elsewhere, such as the Pacific. Using an atmospheric general circulation model, ECHAM5, the impact of North Atlantic SSTAs on the extratropical atmosphere circulation in the event was investigated. The results show that the warm SSTAs strengthened the blocking high over the Urals, through anomalous transient eddies. The consistency between the study model and the observational composite indicates that the warm SSTAs in the North Atlantic were indeed an important factor in the formation of the snowstorm disaster of January 2008.     

Interactive Effects of UV-B Radiation and Chemical Contamination on Physiological Parameters in the Lichen Ramalina lacera

To assess the impact of ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation under laboratory conditions on lichens from different biomonitoring sites, thalli of the lichen Ramalina lacera were transplanted from a clean air site to nine different polluted sites in Israel. Our objective was to determine the probability of synergistic/antagonistic effects on physiological parameters by considering two stressors: chemical contamination and UV-B. Exposure to both airborne pollutants in the field and subsequent UV-B radiation in the laboratory which led to a severe disintegration of cell membranes, followed by electrolyte leakage, indicate the probability of a synergistic effect. The impairment of the potential quantum yield of electron transfer through photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis indicated by a significant decrease of the ratio F_v/F_m, further demonstrated the synergistic effect of both chemical contamination and UV-B radiation. Besides enlarged amounts of stress-ethylene in lichens at contaminated sites, the reduced levels of ethylene production upon UV-B radiation in the present study suggest the likelihood of an antagonistic effect of xenobiotic elements and UV-B radiation as a result of an impaired ethylene-producing system.