The Influence of Selected Meteorological Parameters on the Concentration of Surface Ozone in the Central Region of Poland

Abstract?This paper presents the results of measurements of the concentration of surface ozone and concurrent standard meteorological parameters: total solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, pressure, wind speed, and vertical and horizontal components of the wind. The data were collected from 2005 to 2010 at stations located in central Poland (Mazowieckie voivodeship): Warszawa (urban), Legionowo (suburban), Granica and Belsk (rural). Furthermore, Granica is situated in the forested area of Kampinoski National Park. Continuously measured surface ozone concentrations demonstrated the well-known diurnal cycle of surface ozone concentration with a maximum in the afternoon and a minimum in the early morning hours. The averaged diurnal variations over six years reveal that the highest concentrations appear at rural stations (Belsk: 55?µg?m^?3 and Granica: 50?µg?m^?3) and the lowest at the urban station (Warszawa: 41?µg?m^?3). The threshold for high levels of surface ozone (120?µg?m^?3 per 8?h) was exceeded most often at Granica and Belsk. The occurrence of the ozone “weekend effect,” especially at urban stations, has been identified. The difference between weekend and weekday surface ozone concentrations at urban and rural stations was as high as 6.5?µg?m^?3 and approximately 2?µg?m^?3, respectively. Using appropriate statistical tools, it has been shown that meteorological conditions have a significant influence on ozone concentration. High correlation coefficients were found between ozone concentration and solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The forward stepwise regression model explains up to 75% of the variations in daily surface ozone concentration in terms of meteorological variability in summer and up to 70% in winter. At the same time, a multilayer perceptron neural network model was used to reconstruct the concentration of surface ozone. High correlation coefficients (up to 0.89) indicate that, on the basis of standard meteorological parameters and NO₂ concentration, we can determine ozone concentration with high accuracy.     

Estimation of global lightning activity and observations of atmospheric electric field

Variations in the global atmospheric electric circuit are investigated using a wide range of globally spaced instruments observing VLF (∼10 kHz) waves, ELF (∼300 Hz) waves, Schumann resonances (4–60 Hz), and the atmospheric fair weather electric field. For the ELF/VLF observations, propagation effects are accounted for in a novel approach using established monthly averages of lightning location provided by the Lightning Image Sensor (LIS) and applying known frequency specific attenuation parameters for daytime/nighttime ELF/VLF propagation. Schumann resonances are analyzed using decomposition into propagating and standing waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Derived lightning activity is compared to existing global lightning detection networks and fair weather field observations. The results suggest that characteristics of lightning discharges vary by region and may have diverse effects upon the ionospheric potential.     

Organic matter from the Callovian (Middle Jurassic) deposits of Lithuania: Compositions,sources and depositional environments

This study presents the first organic geochemical and petrographical investigation of the Callovian deposits of the eastern part of the Central European Basin. It is shown that in both the terrigenous Papil? Formation (Lower Callovian) and shallow- to deeper-marine facies of the Papartin? and Skinija formations (Middle and Upper Callovian, respectively), terrestrial organic matter predominates. This is reflected by the carbon preference index values higher than 1.2 for all samples and in some cases higher than 2, as well as the occurrence of characteristic higher plant biomarkers like cadalene, dehydroabietane, simonellite and retene. Moreover, in the case of the Papil? Formation, sugiol – a natural product terpenoid produced by distinct conifer families, has been detected in clay sediments. The occurrence of such a biomolecule in the Middle Jurassic clays is reported for the first time. Its occurrence is probably connected with the presence of small wood debris in the clay sediments. In samples of the Papil? Formation, charcoal fragments co-occurring with unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected, indicating that wildfires took place during the Early Callovian of Lithuania and/or neighbouring areas. In the Middle and Upper marine Callovian sediments of Lithuania there is no evidence of anoxic conditions occurring in the water column. However, periodic anoxic or strongly dysoxic episodes may have occurred, most probably below the photic zone, during the deepest phase of the Late Callovian transgression, as is evidenced from pyrite framboid diameter distribution and general impoverishment of benthic fauna. Huminite reflectance (R_r) values for the investigated area are in the range of 0.21–0.31%, suggesting the occurrence of immature organic matter. Such values indicate that these investigated deposits were close to the surface during their whole diagenetic history, and the thickness of younger cover did not exceed ca. 500 m. This is also supported by a biomarker analysis in which less thermally stable ββ-hopanes and hopenes significantly dominated.     

Genetic differentiation of the soft shore barnacle Fistulobalanus albicostatus (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Balanomorpha) in the West Pacific

This study examined the phylogeography of the barnacle Fistulobalanus albicostatus, which inhabits mangroves and estuarine shores in the West Pacific. Differentiation in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 12S ribosomal RNA (12S) genes of 401 specimens of F. albicostatus was examined in samples from 16 locations in the West Pacific, ranging from Honshu to Southern China. Our results revealed that F. albicostatus comprises two major clades exhibiting a COI divergence ranging from 1.25% to 2.8%. Clade A demonstrated the widest distribution, ranging from Japan to China, and was divided into three subclades occurring in the South China Sea (A1), Okinawa (A2), and Honshu, Korea and Qingdao (A3). Clade B was determined to be endemic to Okinawa; i.e. two endemic lineages occur in this island. Thus, F. albicostatus resembles several inter‐tidal species in having clades that are endemic to Okinawan waters. Nevertheless, in contrast to the rocky inter‐tidal barnacles Tetraclita spp. and Chthamalus malayensis, F. albicostatus was not found to be separated into continental and oceanic populations, but instead is divided into northern and southern clades, probably because of the Yangtze River discharge, which limits gene flow between the northern and southern populations.     

Validation of Galileo orbits using SLR with a focus on satellites launched into incorrect orbital planes

The space segment of the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Galileo consists of In-Orbit Validation (IOV) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) spacecraft. The first pair of FOC satellites was launched into an incorrect, highly eccentric orbital plane with a lower than nominal inclination angle. All Galileo satellites are equipped with satellite laser ranging (SLR) retroreflectors which allow, for example, for the assessment of the orbit quality or for the SLR–GNSS co-location in space. The number of SLR observations to Galileo satellites has been continuously increasing thanks to a series of intensive campaigns devoted to SLR tracking of GNSS satellites initiated by the International Laser Ranging Service. This paper assesses systematic effects and quality of Galileo orbits using SLR data with a main focus on Galileo satellites launched into incorrect orbits. We compare the SLR observations with respect to microwave-based Galileo orbits generated by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) in the framework of the International GNSS Service Multi-GNSS Experiment for the period 2014.0–2016.5. We analyze the SLR signature effect, which is characterized by the dependency of SLR residuals with respect to various incidence angles of laser beams for stations equipped with single-photon and multi-photon detectors. Surprisingly, the CODE orbit quality of satellites in the incorrect orbital planes is not worse than that of nominal FOC and IOV orbits. The RMS of SLR residuals is even lower by 5.0 and 1.5 mm for satellites in the incorrect orbital planes than for FOC and IOV satellites, respectively. The mean SLR offsets equal \(-44.9, -35.0\), and \(-22.4\) mm for IOV, FOC, and satellites in the incorrect orbital plane. Finally, we found that the empirical orbit models, which were originally designed for precise orbit determination of GNSS satellites in circular orbits, provide fully appropriate results also for highly eccentric orbits with variable linear and angular velocities.     

Identifying geochemical reactions on wellbore cement/caprock interface under sequestration conditions

The integrity of wells, which are key components for CO₂ sequestration, depends mainly on the seal between the wellbore cement and the geologic formation. To identify the reaction products that may alter the cement/caprock interface, batch experiments and computer modelling were conducted and analysed. Over time, the dissolution and precipitation of minerals alters the physical properties of the interface, including its tightness. One main objective of the simulation was thus to analyse the evolution of the porosity of cement and caprock over time. The alteration of the cement/caprock interface was identified as a complex problem and differentiated depending on rock type. The characteristic feature of a cement/shale contact zone is the occurrence of a highly carbonated, compacted layer within the shale, which in turn causes cement/shale detachment. In the case of a cement/anhydrite interface, the most important reaction is severe anhydrite dissolution. Secondary calcite precipitation takes place in deeper parts of the rock. The cement/rock contact zone is prone to rapid mineral dissolution, which contributes to increased porosity and may alter the well integrity. Comparison of computer simulations with autoclave experiments enabled the adjustment of unknown parameters. This enhances the knowledge of these particular assemblages. Overall, a good match was obtained between experiments and simulations, which enhances confidence in using models to predict longer-term evolution.     

Blueschist facies metamorphism in Nordenskiöld Land of west‐central Svalbard

Recent fieldwork in Nordenskiöld Land, Svalbard's Southwestern Basement Province, has established the presence of high‐pressure (HP) lithologies. They are strongly retrogressed blueschists consisting mainly of garnet and Ca‐amphibole with remnants of ferroglaucophane and phengite. The pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions were estimated using phase equilibrium modelling in the NCKFMMnASHTO system. P–T estimates based on the garnet, phengite and ferroglaucophane compositional isopleths and modelled paragenetic assemblage indicate peak metamorphism at 470–490 °C and 14–18 kbar. These data fall close to the 7–8 °C km^?1 geotherm, which is similar to that from Motalafjella, the only previously known occurrence of blueschists in Svalbard's Caledonides. The newly discovered blueschists could have formed during the early stage of the Caledonian Orogeny and may represent a vestige of missing marginal basins of the western Iapetus developed at the onset of subduction. The likely counterpart to Svalbard's blueschists is the ophiolitic sequence in the Pearya Terrane of northern Ellesmere Island.     

Fen ecosystem responses to water‐level fluctuations during the early and middle Holocene in central Europe: a case study from Wilczków,Poland

This paper presents a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Wilczków fen (central Poland). The fen developed in an inactive valley at the onset of the Holocene (~11 ka BP) and peat accumulation lasted until 5.7 ka BP. Multi‐proxy reconstructions were made on the basis of palaeobotanical, cladoceran, chironomid, beetle and geochemical analyses. A Kohonen self‐organizing map (SOM, unsupervised artificial neural network) of the biotic sequence distinguished four stages of fen history. Stage X₁ (11.0–10.7 ka BP) was relatively wet and cool. Organic matter started to accumulate but the habitat conditions remained unstable. Moss, sedge and fern communities then developed. Sedimentary changes reveal an intensive groundwater supply at that time. Numerous and diverse chironomid and cladoceran subfossils indicate nearly permanent aquatic conditions. During stage Y₁ (10.6–9.2 ka BP) conditions were dry and the upper peat layer desiccated. Cladocera nearly disappeared whereas chironomids were represented by semi‐terrestrial and predatory (Tanypodinae) species. Conditions started to be more reducing. All the remaining samples belonged to the interweaving stages X₂ and Y₂. Stage Y₂ (mostly 9.1–7.3 and 6.0–5.7 ka BP) was also dry but humidity increased towards the top. Oxidizing conditions occurred and the pH became more alkaline, favouring Cladium mariscus. The basin received mostly allochthonous matter input at that time. Stage X₂ (mostly 6.8–6.1 ka BP) was humid and warm. The groundwater supply remained low but there was an increase in precipitation, changing local conditions to ombrotrophic. Species‐rich chironomid and cladoceran communities were associated with temporary pools. Finally, conditions returned to those characteristic of stage Y₂. The presented reconstruction documents long‐term abiotic and biotic changes determined by water supply, including groundwater outflow, which have rarely been detected at a multi‐proxy scale. We show that inactivated valley fens are sensitive to climate‐driven hydrological fluctuations. Kohonen neural networks appear to be a promising method for analysing variability in multi‐proxy data.