scholarly journals Influence of Meteorological Conditions and Aerosol Properties on the COVID-19 Contamination of the Population in Coastal and Continental Areas in France: Study of Offshore and Onshore Winds

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 523
Author(s):  
Jacques Piazzola ◽  
William Bruch ◽  
Christelle Desnues ◽  
Philippe Parent ◽  
Christophe Yohia ◽  
...  

Human behaviors probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation. However, the role of virus transport by aerosols—and therefore the influence of atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, type and concentration of aerosols)—on the spread of the epidemic remains an open and still debated question. This work aims to study whether or not the meteorological conditions related to the different aerosol properties in continental and coastal urbanized areas might influence the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Our analysis focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior and highlight those of the weather conditions. As an example, we investigated the contamination cases during March 2020 in two specific French areas located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding aerosol properties, the optical depth (AOD) and the Angstrom exponent provided by the AERONET network. The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. We found that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions and inducing humid environment and large sea-spray production episodes coincides with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. We assume that the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 viral particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols might tend to inhibit its viral infectivity via possible reaction with NaCl, especially in high relative humidity environments typical of maritime sites.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Piazzola ◽  
Christelle Desnues ◽  
Philippe Parent ◽  
Christophe Yohia ◽  
Elisa Canepa

Abstract Even if the people density, habits and displacements probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation, the role of the atmospheric aerosol in COVID-19 outbreaks is significant and it needs to be further investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study if the aerosol properties related to the different sources and meteorological conditions we can observe in continental and coastal urbanized areas can have an influence on the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This paper focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior. As an example, we investigated the contamination cases during March 2020 in two specific French areas located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding aerosol properties. To this end, we used both the optical depth (AOD) and the Angstrom exponent provided by the AERONET network. The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. In particular, our data show that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions, which allow large sea-spray production episodes, deal with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. This suggests that the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 viral particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols would tend to inhibit its viral infectivity via possible reaction with NaCl, especially in high relative humidity environments. Capsule: Our results suggest that maritime air-masses limit the SARS-Cov-2 impact via the role of the sea-spray.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Piazzola ◽  
Christelle Desnues ◽  
Philippe Parent ◽  
Christophe Yohia ◽  
Elisa Canepa

Abstract Even if the people density, habits and displacements probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation, the role of the atmospheric aerosol needs to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study if the aerosol properties related to the different sources and meteorological conditions we can observe in urbanized areas can have an influence on in the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This paper focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior. As an example, we investigated the contamination cases during March 2020 in two specific French areas located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding aerosol properties. To this end, we used both the optical depth (AOD) and the Angstrom exponent provided by the AERONET network. The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. In particular, our data show that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions, which allow large sea-spray production episodes, deal with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. This is probably due to the fact that the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols would tend to inhibit its viral infectivity via possible reaction with NaCl, especially in high relative humidity environments. In contrast, out results confirm that the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 can be favored by its coagulation with anthropogenic aerosols, which protects the virus particle from ambient humidity and preserves its infectivity.Capsule: Our results suggest that maritime air-masses limit the SARS-Cov-2 impact via the role of the sea-spray.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Piazzola ◽  
Christelle Desnues ◽  
Philippe Parent ◽  
Christophe Yohia ◽  
Elisa Canepa

Abstract Background: Even if the people density, habits and displacements probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation, the role of the atmospheric aerosol needs to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study if the aerosol properties related to the different sources and meteorological conditions we can observe in urbanized areas can have an influence on in the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This study focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior.Methods: We have investigated the contamination cases of four specific geographic areas, two in France and two in Italy, located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding air mass properties. To this end, we used a survey of meteorological conditions and aerosol properties via both the optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent retrievals for these locations during March 2020. Results: The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. In particular, our data show that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions, which allow large sea-spray production episodes deal with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. One possible reason is the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols that would tend to inhibit its viral infectivity in environments with high relative humidity via possible reaction with NaCl. Conclusions: In this paper, we hypothesize that marine atmosphere conditions tend to decrease virus infectivity. In contrast, the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 can be favored by its coagulation with anthropogenic aerosols, which protects the virus particle from ambient humidity and preserves its infectivity.


Author(s):  
Ireneusz Cymes ◽  
Iwona Cymes ◽  
Ewa Dragańska ◽  
Sławomir Szymczyk

The influence of weather conditions on mid-field ponds situated in a reclaimed area in Sępopolska PlainThe investigations were conducted in northeastern Poland near Lidzbark Warmiński (54° 08" N, 20° 36" E). Five mid-field ponds situated on grasslands were chosen: four of them were dredged and deepened, and one of them remained as a natural reservoir. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of weather conditions on the quantity and quality of water in mid-field ponds situated in agricultural areas. It was found that the quantity of water in mid-field ponds was related much more to the air temperature, which was responsible for either water evaporation or snow melting, rather than to the amount of precipitation. The reduction in the volume of water stored in the ponds during very dry years had a negative influence on its quality. During the observation period, the dredged ponds were characterized by permanent water tables, whereas the natural reservoir dried out in very dry years. Atmospheric conditions influenced the concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and calcium and chlorine ions in the studied water bodies. The volume of water retained in mid-field ponds influenced the concentrations of phosphorus and sulphates. Increased precipitation sums caused lower water pH; however in warmer periods, at increased pH and COD


Author(s):  
B E A Fisher

An assessment of the effects of visible cooling tower plumes on the local environment can be a necessary part of any proposal for a new large industrial process. Predictions of the dispersion of plumes from cooling towers are based on methods developed for chimney emissions. However, the kinds of criteria used to judge the acceptability of cooling tower plumes are different from those used for stack plumes. The frequency of long elevated plumes and the frequency of ground fogging are the two main issues. It is shown that events associated with significant plume visibility are dependent both on the operating characteristics of the tower and on the occurrence of certain meteorological conditions. The dependence on atmospheric conditions is shown to be fairly complex and simple performance criteria based on the exit conditions from the tower are not sufficient for assessments.


This paper deals with chemical analyses for hydrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, sulphate and nitrate ions in daily precipitation samples collected in the English Lake District, and examines the correlations of these analyses with ( a ) one another, ( b ) the amount of precipitation, ( c ) wind direction, ( d ) wind velocity, and ( e ) temperature. Highly significant correlations are found between estimates for H, K, Ca, NO 3 and SO 4 ions, and atmospheric pollution appears to supply much of the sulphate in Lake District rain, since it comes largely as sulphuric acid from the south-east. The correlation between Na and Cl is also extremely close, with the proportion between the two ions very similar to that in sea water. Since these two ions are supplied mainly from the south-west, in amounts which are greatly increased by high winds, sea spray may be inferred as the principal source. Nevertheless, evidence is presented for some small supply from atmospheric pollution, and it is furthermore suggested that mixed droplets of sea salt and sulphuric acid may, upon abstraction of moisture by freezing or evaporation, release gaseous hydrogen chloride to the air and so alter the balance of Na and Cl in precipitation. The supply of Na and Cl is also considerably higher in cold than in warm weather, a phenomenon possibly connected with stormier conditions and greater evaporation over the Atlantic Ocean. The atmospheric contribution of ions to natural waters via precipitation is shown to be of great importance, in particular to bog pools, to upland tarns on hard rocks, and to the soil solution in highly organic mor humus layers overlying heavily leached hillside soils. Sodium and chloride in most surface waters appears to be almost wholly supplied by sea spray, while calcium and magnesium bicarbonates are the main products of soil weathering. A net loss of rain acids is evident in all soil waters, although some may be more acid than normal rain water owing to considerable concentration by evaporation. The soil waters are relatively rich in potassium, presumably supplied from decaying vegetation.


1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1733-1761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elita Batista de Castro ◽  
Marlinda Lobo de Souza ◽  
William Sihler ◽  
Júlio Carlyle Macedo Rodrigues ◽  
Bergmann Morais Ribeiro

Baculoviruses are insect viruses found mainly in Lepidoptera. The family Baculoviridae is taxonomically divided in two genera, Nucleopolyhedrovirus and Granulovirus, which differ by occlusion body morphology. NPVs (Nucleopolyhedroviruses) have polyhedrical inclusion bodies (PIBs) containing multiple viral particles, while GVs (Granuloviruses) appear to be generally single particles occluded in oval shaped occlusion bodies. During the life cycle, two different viral progenies are produced: BV (Budded Virus) and PDV (Polyhedra Derived Virus), which are essential for the infectious process and virus propagation in host cells. Baculoviruses are being used for pest control and they are especially safe due to their specificity and invertebrate-restricted host range. Baculoviruses have been used as vectors for high level protein expression ofheterologous genes from prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Also, recombinant DNA techniques have allowed the production of genetically modified viral insecticides. This study is a review on the taxonomy, structure, replication and molecular biology of baculoviruses, as well as their use as bioinsecticides in Brazil.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Di Virgilio ◽  
Melissa Anne Hart ◽  
Ningbo Jiang

Abstract. Internationally, severe wildfires are an escalating problem likely to worsen given projected changes to climate. Hazard reduction burns (HRB) are used to suppress wildfire occurrences, but they generate considerable emissions of atmospheric fine particulate matter, which depending upon prevailing atmospheric conditions, can degrade air quality. Our objectives are to improve understanding of the relationships between meteorological conditions and air quality during HRBs in Sydney, Australia. We identify the primary meteorological covariates linked to high PM2.5 pollution (particulates


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (01) ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Anderson Labegalini De Campos ◽  
Anderson De Oliveira Pereira ◽  
Josenilda Guimarães Lopes ◽  
Renê Faria De Araújo ◽  
Ronaldo Pereira Lima

ESTUDO SOBRE A POSSIBILIDADE DE PRODUZIR BIOGÁS PROVENIENTE DE RESÍDUOS DA AGROPECUÁRIA NO ESTADO DO TOCANTINS   ANDERSON LABEGALINI DE CAMPOS1; ANDERSON DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA2; JOSENILDA GUIMARÃES LOPES3; RENÊ FARIA DE ARAÚJO4 E RONALDO PEREIRA LIMA5   Mestrado de Agroenergia, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Avenida NS 15, Quadra 109 Norte, Plano Diretor Norte (Prédio do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroenergia), CEP 77001-090, Palmas, Tocantins, Brasil. [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; 5 [email protected]   RESUMO: O Tocantins, entre os estados do Brasil, é um dos que possuem valores superiores em quantidade de rebanhos de gado de corte, e a bovinocultura de leite cresce de forma continuada, favorecida pelas condições climáticas. Em 2015, o estado produziu 8 milhões de bovinos e bubalinos, 296 mil suínos e 158,9 mil caprinos. As fronteiras socioeconômicas terão uma melhora significativa com a utilização de resíduos gerados na atividade rural para a geração de energia, assim como para a redução dos prejuízos ao meio ambiente, ocasionados pelos resíduos produzidos. Diante do exposto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de produção de biogás para a geração de energia, por meio da fermentação de resíduos oriundos da agricultura e pecuária do estado do Tocantins. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisão bibliográfica, a sistemática, a descritiva e a explicativa. Verificou-se, com este artigo, a relevância social, ambiental e econômica da inserção da energia produzida a partir dos resíduos agropecuários na Matriz Energética Brasileira. Ainda que tenham custos para instalar o sistema no Estado, a utilização de digestores fermentativos é uma alternativa para diminuir os problemas com a destinação inadequada dos resíduos agropecuários, além de ser uma forma de energia limpa, este método possuí uma fonte de recursos com o comercio dos créditos de carbono, devido a não emissão do gás metano.   Palavras-chave: resíduos agropecuários, energia, biogás.   STUDY ON THE POSSIBILITY OF BIOGAS PRODUCING FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE THE STATE OF TOCANTINS   ABSTRACT: Beef and dairy cattle growing is one of the biggest production in the State of Tocantins - Brazil, favored by weather conditions. In 2015, the state produced 8 million cattle and buffalo, 296,000 pigs and 158,900 goats. The socioeconomic boundaries will have a significant improvement with the use of waste generated in rural activity for the generation of energy, as well as the reduction of environmental damage caused by the waste produced. Given the above, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the potential of biogas production for energy generation, through the fermentation of residues from the Tocantins state agriculture and livestock. The methodology used was the literature review, the systematic, the descriptive and the explanatory. This article verified the social, environmental and economic relevance of the insertion of energy produced from agricultural residues in the Brazilian Energy Matrix. Although they have costs to install the system in the state, the use of fermentative digesters is an alternative to reduce the problems with the improper disposal of agricultural residues, besides being a form of clean energy, this method has a source of resources with the trade. carbon credits due to non-emission of methane gas.   Keywords: agricultural residues, energy, biogas.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2641-2670
Author(s):  
A. Bovchaliuk ◽  
G. Milinevsky ◽  
V. Danylevsky ◽  
P. Goloub ◽  
O. Dubovik ◽  
...  

Abstract. The paper presents the study of aerosol variability in the period from 2003 to 2011 over Eastern Europe region with latitude ranging from 40° N to 60° N and longitude from 20° E to 50° E. The analysis was based on the POLDER/PARASOL and POLDER-2/ADEOS satellites and AERONET ground-based sunphotometer observations. The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) of the studied area is characterized by the values (referenced to 870 nm wavelength) ranging from 0.05 to 0.2 except the period of July–August 2010 with strong forest and peat wildfires when the AOT typical values range from 0.3 to 0.5. The analysis of seasonal dynamics of aerosol loading has revealed two AOT high value peaks. The first peak observed in April–May is the result of solitary transportation of Sahara dust in the atmosphere over Eastern Europe, infrequent agricultural fires, transportation of sea salt aerosols by southern winds to Ukraine and Moldova from the Black and Azov Seas. The second peak in August–September is associated with forest and peat wildfires, considerable transportation of Sahara dust and presence of soil dust aerosols due to harvesting activity. The maximum values of AOT are observed in May 2006 (0.1–0.15), April 2009 (0.07–0.15) and August 2010 (0.2–0.5). Furthermore, the study has identified a distinct pattern of anthropogenic aerosols over the industrial areas, especially in the central Ukraine, eastern Belarus, as well as Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Stavropol regions in Russia. The comparison of the fine mode AOT (particle radius < 0.3 μm) derived by standard algorithm POLDER/PARASOL from reflected polarized radiances with those recomputed from AERONET inversions was performed over a number of AERONET sites: over Kyiv and Sevastopol sites for the period of 2008–2009 and over Moscow, Minsk, Belsk, and Moldova sites for the period of 2005–2009. The correlation coefficients are 0.78 for Moscow, 0.76 – Minsk, 0.86 – Belsk, 0.93 – Kyiv, 0.81 – Moldova and 0.63 for Sevastopol sites. The deviations are explained by the spatial inhomogeneity of the surface polarization that has stronger effect on aerosol retrieval for clear atmospheric conditions with low aerosol loading when surface impact on satellite observations is more pronounced. In addition, the preliminary analysis of the detailed aerosol properties derived by new generation PARASOL algorithm was accomplished. The AOT and single scattering albedo retrieved by the algorithm over Kyiv were compared with the closest AERONET retrievals within two hour of satellite overpass time and the stable atmospheric conditions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document