Seasonal characteristics of tropical marine boundary layer air measured at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory

Observations of the tropical atmosphere are fundamental to the understanding of global changes in air quality, atmospheric oxidation capacity and climate, yet the tropics are under-populated with long-term measurements. The first three years (October 2006–September 2009) of meteorological, trace gas and particulate data from the global WMO/Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory Humberto Duarte Fonseca (CVAO; 16° 51′ N, 24° 52′ W) are presented, along with a characterisation of the origin and pathways of air masses arriving at the station using the NAME dispersion model and simulations of dust deposition using the COSMO-MUSCAT dust model. The observations show a strong influence from Saharan dust in winter with a maximum in super-micron aerosol and particulate iron and aluminium. The dust model results match the magnitude and daily variations of dust events, but in the region of the CVAO underestimate the measured aerosol optical thickness (AOT) because of contributions from other aerosol. The NAME model also captured the dust events, giving confidence in its ability to correctly identify air mass origins and pathways in this region. Dissolution experiments on collected dust samples showed a strong correlation between soluble Fe and Al and measured solubilities were lower at high atmospheric dust concentrations. Fine mode aerosol at the CVAO contains a significant fraction of non-sea salt components including dicarboxylic acids, methanesulfonic acid and aliphatic amines, all believed to be of oceanic origin. A marine influence is also apparent in the year-round presence of iodine and bromine monoxide (IO and BrO), with IO suggested to be confined mainly to the surface few hundred metres but BrO well mixed in the boundary layer. Enhanced CO₂ and CH₄ and depleted oxygen concentrations are markers for air-sea exchange over the nearby northwest African coastal upwelling area. Long-range transport results in generally higher levels of O₃ and anthropogenic non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in air originating from North America. Ozone/CO ratios were highest (up to 0.42) in relatively fresh European air masses. In air heavily influenced by Saharan dust the O₃/CO ratio was as low as 0.13, possibly indicating O₃ uptake to dust. Nitrogen oxides (NO_x and NO_y) show generally higher concentrations in winter when air mass origins are predominantly from Africa. High photochemical activity at the site is shown by maximum spring/summer concentrations of OH and HO₂ of 9?×?10⁶ molecule cm^?3 and 6?×?10⁸ molecule cm^?3, respectively. After the primary photolysis source, the most important controls on the HO_x budget in this region are IO and BrO chemistry, the abundance of HCHO, and uptake of HO_x to aerosol.     

A comparison of the spectral characteristics of the Wolf Sunspot Number (R Z) and Group Sunspot Number (R G)

The objective of this paper is to compare the spectral features of the recently derived Group Sunspot Numbers (R _G) and the traditional Wolf Sunspot Numbers (R _Z) for the 1700–1995 period. In order to study the spectral features of both time series, two methods were used, including: (a) the multitaper analysis and (b) the wavelet analysis. Well-known features of the solar variability, such as the 98.6-yr (Gleissberg cycle), 10–11-yr (Schwabe cycle) and 5-yr (second solar harmonic) periodicities were identified with high confidence using the multitaper analysis. Also observed was a larger amount of power spread in high frequencies for R _Z than for R _G spectra. Furthermore, a multitaper analysis of two subsets, A (1700–1850) and B (1851–1995), has indicated that the main differences occurred in the first subset and seem to be due to uncertainties in the early observations. The wavelet transform, which allows observing the spectra evolution of both series, showed a strong and persistent 10–11-yr signal that remained during the whole period. The Meyer Wavelet Transform was applied to both R _Z and R _G. This study indicates that the main spectral characteristics of both series are similar and that their long-term variability has the same behavior.     

A comparison of the spectral characteristics of the Wolf Sunspot Number (RZ) and Group Sunspot Number (RG)

The objective of this paper is to compare the spectral features of the recently derived Group Sunspot Numbers (R _G) and the traditional Wolf Sunspot Numbers (R _Z) for the 1700–1995 period. In order to study the spectral features of both time series, two methods were used, including: (a) the multitaper analysis and (b) the wavelet analysis. Well-known features of the solar variability, such as the 98.6-yr (Gleissberg cycle), 10–11-yr (Schwabe cycle) and 5-yr (second solar harmonic) periodicities were identified with high confidence using the multitaper analysis. Also observed was a larger amount of power spread in high frequencies for R _Z than for R _G spectra. Furthermore, a multitaper analysis of two subsets, A (1700–1850) and B (1851–1995), has indicated that the main differences occurred in the first subset and seem to be due to uncertainties in the early observations. The wavelet transform, which allows observing the spectra evolution of both series, showed a strong and persistent 10–11-yr signal that remained during the whole period. The Meyer Wavelet Transform was applied to both R _Z and R _G. This study indicates that the main spectral characteristics of both series are similar and that their long-term variability has the same behavior.     

Capability of LISEM to estimate flood hydrographs in a watershed with predominance of long-duration rainfall events

Natural Hazards - Process-based hydrological models are of great importance to understand hydrological processes and support decision making. The LImburg Soil Erosion Model (LISEM) requires...     

Paying as the urban areas grow – implementing and managing urban development charges using a GIS application

Urban development charges (UDC) are considered relevant taxation instruments that can improve the economic sustainability of urban areas and the financial health of the respective local governments. The economic formulation and justification based on the ‘direct benefit principle,’ the ‘accountability principle,’ and the ‘proportionality principle’ requires a methodology that can be supported by a geographic information system (GIS) application. This article presents the research output of a real case study – the municipality of Aljezur, Portugal – and the fundamentals of the GIS tool that was designed. This GIS-based methodology comprises a multi-annual infrastructure capital plan and an accurate zoning map for spatial differentiation of values combining municipal-wide and site-specific approaches, following ‘pay as the urban areas grow’ perspective applied to urban development and new buildings. It requires data integration of the urban planning process with infrastructure and urban growth data in order to manage and monitor the computation of this charge over time, thereby increasing the accuracy, the objectivity and the clarity of the process. The results obtained show that this UDC-GIS application seems well adapted to small municipalities. Its possible replication and use in other contexts require adaptations derived from different urban and taxation policy options and from different legal, organizational, technological, and informational local systems.     

Molecular diversity of phytoplankton in the East China Sea around Jeju Island (Korea), unraveled by pyrosequencing

The East China Sea (ECS) around Jeju Island lies in a transitional region between the temperate and subtropical zones and is influenced by the Kuroshio Current. Hence, this area has been considered an important monitoring site for oceanic ecosystem changes. Herein, we assessed the community structure and diversity of the phytoplankton in the ECS around Jeju Island using small subunit ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing. We analyzed eight samples collected from the surface and at 30 m- and/or 50-m depths from two neritic and oceanic stations each from 24–30 April 2011. Comparisons of 15,498 pyrosequences identified 172 phylotypes of phytoplankton, excluding cyanobacteria, from the four surface stations. These pyrosequences were represented by dinoflagellates (29 %), stramenopiles (31 %), and chlorophytes (>39 %), with minor contributions from cryptophytes, haptophytes, and Telonemia. Phylotypes retrieved at 30- and 50-m depths were very similar to the surface samples. However, phylotype diversity and community structure varied considerably with the stations. Dominant phylotypes included Karlodinium veneficum, Ostreococcus tauri, Skeletonema marinoi, and Thalassiosira curviseriata, and many of the detected phylotypes include new records for the present study area. This study provides a valuable phylotype reference for future phytoplankton community structure and diversity studies with regard to marine environmental changes.     

The use of cholinesterase as potential biomarker: In vitro characterization in the polychaete Capitella teleta

The ecological relevance of polychaetes coupled with their easy culture and maintenance in the laboratory, has led them to become increasingly used in marine ecotoxicological studies, raising the need to validate frequently applied monitoring tools at various biological levels. The present study was aimed to characterize the cholinesterases (ChE) activity in the polychaete Capitella teleta, using three substrates (acetylthiocholine iodide, propionylthiocholine iodide, and S-butyrylthiocholine iodide) and four known inhibitors (eserine hemisulfate, BW284c51, iso-OMPA and chlorpyrifos-oxon). Results showed that most of the measured cholinesterase activity was acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Inhibition of enzyme kinetic experiments denoted that sensitivity of C. teleta’s ChE to the organophosphorous metabolite chlorpyrifos-oxon (IC₅₀ = 60.72 nM) was analogous to some fish species. This study highlights the relevance of ChE characterization before its use as a biomarker in ecotoxicology and biomonitoring studies.