scholarly journals Heat-Wave Events in Spain: Air Mass Analysis and Impacts on7Be Concentrations

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Hernández-Ceballos ◽  
E. Brattich ◽  
G. Cinelli
Keyword(s):  
Heat Wave ◽  
Simultaneous Occurrence ◽  
Mass Analysis ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Backward Trajectories ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Mass Circulation ◽  
The Impact

The present paper describes and characterizes the air mass circulation during the heat-wave events registered during the period 2005–2014 over Spain, paying special attention to the role of the Saharan circulations. Backward trajectories at 500, 1500, and 3000 m in Seville (south), Madrid (centre), and Bilbao (north) during the thirteen heat-wave events identified are analysed. Finally, the impact of the heat-wave events and of each advection pattern on7Be activity concentrations is also analysed. The heat-wave events are characterized roughly by western, southern, and nearby advections, with a higher frequency of the first two types. The analysis shows an increase of African air masses with height, presenting a different spatial impact over Spain, with a decreasing occurrence and a decrease in the simultaneous occurrence percentage from south to north. On average, the7Be activity concentrations during these events show an increase of concentrations in central (21%) and southern (18%) areas and a decrease in northern (13%) Spain. This increase is not associated with Saharan air masses but instead with the arrival of distant westerly air masses.

scholarly journals Water vapor increase in the lower stratosphere of the Northern Hemisphere due to the Asian monsoon anticyclone observed during the TACTS/ESMVal campaigns

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2973-2983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rolf ◽  
Bärbel Vogel ◽  
Peter Hoor ◽  
Armin Afchine ◽  
Gebhard Günther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Monsoon Region ◽  
Asian Monsoon Region ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The impact of air masses originating in Asia and influenced by the Asian monsoon anticyclone on the Northern Hemisphere stratosphere is investigated based on in situ measurements. A statistically significant increase in water vapor (H2O) of about 0.5 ppmv (11 %) and methane (CH4) of up to 20 ppbv (1.2 %) in the extratropical stratosphere above a potential temperature of 380 K was detected between August and September 2012 during the HALO aircraft missions Transport and Composition in the UT/LMS (TACTS) and Earth System Model Validation (ESMVal). We investigate the origin of the increased water vapor and methane using the three-dimensional Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). We assign the source of the moist air masses in the Asian region (northern and southern India, eastern China, southeast Asia, and the tropical Pacific) based on tracers of air mass origin used in CLaMS. The water vapor increase is correlated with an increase of the simulated Asian monsoon air mass contribution from about 10 % in August to about 20 % in September, which corresponds to a doubling of the influence from the Asian monsoon region. Additionally, back trajectories starting at the aircraft flight paths are used to differentiate transport from the Asian monsoon anticyclone and other source regions by calculating the Lagrangian cold point (LCP). The geographic location of the LCPs, which indicates the region where the set point of water vapor mixing ratio along these trajectories occurs, can be predominantly attributed to the Asian monsoon region.

scholarly journals Spatial analysis of air masses backward trajectories in order to identify distant sources of fine particulate matter emission / Analiza przestrzenna wstecznych trajektorii mas powietrza w celu rozpoznania odległych źródeł emisji pyłu drobnego

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanta Godłowska ◽  
Monika J. Hajto ◽  
A. Monika Tomaszewska
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Emission Sources ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Backward Trajectories ◽  
Particulate Matter Emission ◽  
Aggregate Information ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The paper presents a method of identifying distant emission sources of fine particulate matter PM2.5 affecting significantly PM2.5 concentrations at a given location. The method involves spatial analysis of aggregate information about PM2.5 concentrations measured at the location and air masses backward trajectories calculated by HYSPLIT model. The method was examined for three locations of PM2.5 measurement stations (Diabla Góra, Gdańsk, and Katowice) which represented different environmental conditions. The backward trajectories were calculated starting from different heights (30, 50, 100 and 150 m a. g. l.). All points of a single backward trajectory were assigned to the PM2.5 concentration corresponding to the date and the site of the beginning of trajectory calculation. Daily average concentrations of PM2.5 were used, and in the case of Gdańsk also hourly ones. It enabled to assess the effectiveness of the presented method using daily averages if hourly ones were not available. Locations of distant sources of fine particulate matter emission were determined by assigning to each grid node a mean value of PM2.5 concentrations associated with the trajectories points located within the so-called search ellipse. Nearby sources of fine particulate matter emission were eliminated by filtering the trajectories points located close to each other (so-called duplicates). The analyses covered the period of January-March 2010. The results indicated the different origin of air masses in the northern and southern Poland. In Diabla Góra and Gdańsk the distant sources of fine particulate matter emission are identified in Belarus and Russia. In Katowice the impact of the Belarusian PM2.5 emission sources was also noted but as the most important fine particulate matter emission sources were considered those located in the area of Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine.

scholarly journals Structure Function Analysis of Water Vapor Simulated with a Convection-Permitting Model and Comparison to Airborne Lidar Observations

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1201-1210
Author(s):  
Tobias Selz ◽  
Lucas Fischer ◽  
George C. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Scaling Properties ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The spatial scale dependence of midlatitude water vapor variability in the high-resolution limited-area model COSMO is evaluated using diagnostics of scaling behavior. Past analysis of airborne lidar measurements showed that structure function scaling exponents depend on the corresponding airmass characteristics, and that a classification of the troposphere into convective and nonconvective layers led to significantly different power-law behaviors for each of these two regimes. In particular, scaling properties in the convective air mass were characterized by rough and highly intermittent data series, whereas the nonconvective regime was dominated by smoother structures with weaker small-scale variability. This study finds similar results in a model simulation with an even more pronounced distinction between the two air masses. Quantitative scaling diagnostics agree well with measurements in the nonconvective air mass, whereas in the convective air mass the simulation shows a much higher intermittency. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the model data to assess the impact of limitations of the observational dataset, which indicate that analyses of lidar data most likely underestimated the intermittency in convective air masses due to the small samples from single flight tracks, which led to a bias when data with poor fits were rejected. Though the quantitative estimation of intermittency remains uncertain for convective air masses, the ability of the model to capture the dominant weather regime dependence of water vapor scaling properties is encouraging.

scholarly journals Airborne observations and modeling of springtime stratosphere-to-troposphere transport over California

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 10157-10192 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Yates ◽  
L. T. Iraci ◽  
M. C. Roby ◽  
R. B. Pierce ◽  
M. S. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Stratospheric Intrusion ◽  
Tropospheric O3 ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT) results in air masses of stratospheric origin intruding into the free troposphere. Once in the free troposphere, O3-rich stratospheric air can be transported and mixed with tropospheric air masses, contributing to the tropospheric O3 budget. Evidence of STT can be identified based on the differences in the trace gas composition of the two regions. Because ozone (O3) is present in such large quantities in the stratosphere compared to the troposphere, it is frequently used as a tracer for STT events. This work reports on airborne in situ measurements of O3 and other trace gases during two STT events observed over California, USA. The first, on 14 May 2012, was associated with a cut-off low, and the second, on 5 June 2012, occurred during a post-trough, building ridge event. In each STT event, airborne measurements identified high O3 within a stratospheric intrusion which was observed as low as 3 km above sea level. During both events the stratospheric air mass was characterized by elevated O3 mixing ratios and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor. The reproducible observation of reduced CO2 within the stratospheric air mass supports the use of non-conventional tracers as an additional method for detecting STT. A detailed meteorological analysis of each STT event is presented and observations are interpreted with the Realtime Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS). The implications of the two STT events are discussed in terms of the impact on the total tropospheric O3 budget and the impact on air quality and policy-making.

scholarly journals Significant variations of trace gas composition and aerosol properties at Mt. Cimone during air mass transport from North Africa – contributions from wildfire emissions and mineral dust

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (14) ◽  
pp. 4603-4619 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Cristofanelli ◽  
A. Marinoni ◽  
J. Arduini ◽  
U. Bonafè ◽  
F. Calzolari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Particle Volume ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Mass Circulation

Abstract. High levels of trace gas (O3 and CO) and aerosol (BC, fine and coarse particle volumes), as well as high scattering coefficient (σp) values, were recorded at the regional GAW-WMO station of Mt. Cimone (CMN, 2165 m a.s.l., Italy) during the period 26–30 August 2007. Analysis of air-mass circulation, aerosol chemical characterization and trace gas and aerosol enhancement ratios (ERs), showed that high O3 and aerosol levels were likely linked to (i) the transport of anthropogenic pollution from northern Italy, and (ii) the advection of air masses rich in mineral dust and biomass burning (BB) products from North Africa. In particular, during the advection of air masses from North Africa, the CO and aerosol levels (CO: 175 ppbv, BC: 1015 ng/m3, fine particle volume: 3.00 μm3 cm−3, σp: 84.5 Mm−1) were even higher than during the pollution event (CO: 138 ppbv, BC: 733 ng/m3, fine particles volume: 1.58 μm3 cm−3, σp: 44.9 Mm

scholarly journals Airborne observations of trace gases over boreal Canada during BORTAS: campaign climatology, air mass analysis and enhancement ratios

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 12451-12467 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. O'Shea ◽  
G. Allen ◽  
M. W. Gallagher ◽  
S. J.-B. Bauguitte ◽  
S. M. Illingworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. In situ airborne measurements were made over eastern Canada in summer 2011 as part of the BORTAS experiment (Quantifying the impact of BOReal forest fires on Tropospheric oxidants over the Atlantic using Aircraft and Satellites). In this paper we present observations of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) and other biomass burning tracers (CO, HCN and CH3CN), both climatologically and through case studies, as recorded on board the FAAM BAe-146 research aircraft. Vertical profiles of CO2 were generally characterised by depleted boundary layer concentrations relative to the free troposphere, consistent with terrestrial biospheric uptake. In contrast, CH4 concentrations were found to rise with decreasing altitude due to strong local and regional surface sources. BORTAS observations were found to be broadly comparable with both previous measurements in the region during the regional burning season and with reanalysed composition fields from the EU Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Change (MACC) project. We use coincident tracer–tracer correlations and a Lagrangian trajectory model to characterise and differentiate air mass history of intercepted plumes. In particular, CO, HCN and CH3CN were used to identify air masses that have been recently influenced by biomass burning. Examining individual cases we were able to quantify emissions from biomass burning. Using both near-field (< 1 day) and far-field (> 1 day) sampling, boreal forest fire plumes were identified throughout the troposphere. Fresh plumes from fires in northwestern Ontario yield emission factors for CH4 and CO2 of 8.5 ± 0.9 g (kg dry matter)−1 and 1512 ± 185 g (kg dry matter)−1, respectively. We have also investigated the efficacy of calculating emission factors from far-field sampling, in which there might be expected to be limited mixing with background and other characteristic air masses, and we provide guidance on best practice and limitations in such analysis. We have found that for measurements within plumes that originated from fires in northwestern Ontario 2–4 days upwind, emission factors can be calculated that range between 1618 ± 216 and 1702 ± 173 g (kg dry matter)−1 for CO2 and 1.8 ± 0.2 and 6.1 ± 1 g (kg dry matter)−1 for CH4.

scholarly journals Variability of aerosol, gaseous pollutants and meteorological characteristics associated with changes in air mass origin at the SW Atlantic coast of Iberia

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3761-3782 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-M. Diesch ◽  
F. Drewnick ◽  
S. R. Zorn ◽  
S.-L. von der Weiden-Reinmüller ◽  
M. Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Air Mass Types ◽  
Marine Air ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Air Mass Origin

Abstract. Measurements of the ambient aerosol were performed at the Southern coast of Spain, within the framework of the DOMINO (Diel Oxidant Mechanisms In relation to Nitrogen Oxides) project. The field campaign took place from 20 November until 9 December 2008 at the atmospheric research station "El Arenosillo" (37°5'47.76" N, 6°44'6.94" W). As the monitoring station is located at the interface between a natural park, industrial cities (Huelva, Seville) and the Atlantic Ocean, a variety of physical and chemical parameters of aerosols and gas phase could be characterized in dependency on the origin of air masses. Backwards trajectories were examined and compared with local meteorology to classify characteristic air mass types for several source regions. Aerosol number and mass as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and black carbon concentrations were measured in PM1 and size distributions were registered covering a size range from 7 nm up to 32 μm. The chemical composition of the non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) was measured by means of an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (Aerodyne HR-ToF-AMS). Gas phase analyzers monitored various trace gases (O3, SO2, NO, NO2, CO2) and a weather station provided meteorological parameters. Lowest average submicron particle mass and number concentrations were found in air masses arriving from the Atlantic Ocean with values around 2 μg m−3 and 1000 cm−3. These mass concentrations were about two to four times lower than the values recorded in air masses of continental and urban origins. For some species PM1-fractions in marine air were significantly larger than in air masses originating from Huelva, a closely located city with extensive industrial activities. The largest fraction of sulfate (54%) was detected in marine air masses and was to a high degree not neutralized. In addition, small concentrations of methanesulfonic acid (MSA), a product of biogenic dimethyl sulfate (DMS) emissions, could be identified in the particle phase. In all air masses passing the continent the organic aerosol fraction dominated the total NR-PM1. For this reason, using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) four organic aerosol (OA) classes that can be associated with various aerosol sources and components were identified: a highly-oxygenated OA is the major component (43% OA) while semi-volatile OA accounts for 23%. A hydrocarbon-like OA mainly resulting from industries, traffic and shipping emissions as well as particles from wood burning emissions also contribute to total OA and depend on the air mass origin. A significant variability of ozone was observed that depends on the impact of different air mass types and solar radiation.

The Role of GOES Satellite Imagery in Tracking Low-Level Moisture

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Bikos ◽  
John F. Weaver ◽  
Jeff Braun
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
Moist Air ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
High Resolution Satellite Imagery ◽  
Surface Observations

Abstract This note provides examples of how geostationary satellite data can be applied to augment other data sources in tracking warm, moist air masses as they move northward from the Gulf of Mexico. These so-called returning air masses are often a key ingredient in bringing about severe weather outbreaks in the central and southeastern United States. The newer NOAA–GOES imagery provides high spatial and temporal resolution. Together, surface observations, upper-air soundings, and high-resolution satellite imagery provide a comprehensive picture of the returning moist air mass.

Lagrangian Analysis of the Dynamical and Thermodynamic Drivers of Greenland Melt Events during 1979-2017

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Hermann ◽  
Lukas Papritz ◽  
Heini Wernli
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Simultaneous Occurrence ◽  
Temperature Pattern ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Warm Anomaly

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Specific atmospheric circulation patterns can lead to strongly positive near-surface temperature anomalies over Greenland, fostering the occurrence of extensive surface melt events. In this study, we objectively identify 77 Greenland melt events in June-August 1979-2017, which also affect high-elevated regions of the Greenland ice sheet &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;(GrIS)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;, from ERA-Interim reanalysis data. Eight-day backward trajectories from the lowermost 500 m above the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; are used to investigate the air mass history and the synoptic, dynamical, and thermodynamic drivers of Greenland melt events. The key synoptic feature is a high-pressure system, in 65% of the events classified as atmospheric blocking, southeast of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S. It&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;favorably&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; located to induce rapid and long-range poleward transport of anomalously warm air masses (compared to climatology) from the lower troposphere to the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; Due to orographic and dynamical lifting, latent heating from condensation of water vapor contributes additionally to the air mass&amp;#8217; warm anomaly - most important for melt events on top of the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;. Adiabatic warming by subsidence, however, is insignificant, in contrast to warm events in the central Arctic. Exemplarily, the warm anomaly of air masses arriving in the Summit area during the most extensive melt event in early July 2012 arose due to strong meridional transport, mainly from the western North Atlantic, and latent heat release during ascent to Greenland. The simultaneous occurrence of a North American record heat wave did not play any direct role for the Greenland melt event. Further, regionally varying short- and longwave radiative effects induced by the warm-moist air masses enhance melt all over the GrIS. The identified mechanisms that cause Greenland melt events imply that the understanding of the formation of high-pressure systems and their representation in climate models is crucial in determining future &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; melt. More generally, we highlight the importance of atmospheric dynamics and air flow patterns for Greenland melt events as they eventually determine the temperature pattern and surface energy budget over the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;GrI&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;S with consequences for global sea-level rise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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