scholarly journals Winter-Season Climatic Signals in the Recently Deposited Snowpack on a Norwegian Alpine Glacier

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 111-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
He Yuanqing ◽  
Wilfred H. Theakstone ◽  
Yao Tandong ◽  
Cheng Guodong ◽  
Zhang Dian ◽  
...  

Vertical variations of oxygen isotopes in the snow which accumulates during the winter at the Norwegian glacier Austre Okstindbreen are not entirely eliminated after 1-2 months of ablation in the following summer. Survival of isotopic signals closely relates to the re-freezing capacity of snow accumulated in winter when its temperature was below 0°C. The meltwater re-freezes in layers formed in winter hindered subsequent meltwater percolation in summer when snow temperature was at melting point and, therefore, varied isotopic record was reserved between these ice layers. The isotopic record in snowpack can provide an estimate of the approximate trend of the most recent winter season temperatures. The relationship between regional temperature changes and б18O values in the snowpack is affected by many natural factors, but 1989-90 (a glacier balance year) winter air temperatures were reflected in the snow which remained on the glacier Austre Okstindbreen at an altitude of 1,350 m in July 1990. There was larger amplitude of variations of б 18O values in the 4.1 m of snow above the 1989 summer surface, but variations in the underlying firn were relatively small. Meltwater percolation modifies the initial variations of б 18O values in the snowpack. At a site below the mean equilibrium line altitude on Austre Okstindbreen, increased isotopic homogenization within a ten-day period in July accompanied an increase of the mean б 18O value. Although the isotopic record at a temperate glacier is likely to be influenced by more factors than is that at polar glaciers, it can provide an estimate of the approximate trend of recent local temperature variations.

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (156) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
He Yuanqing ◽  
Wilfred H. Theakstone ◽  
Yao Tandong ◽  
Shi Yafeng

AbstractStratigraphic variations of oxygen isotopes in the snow which accumulates during the winter at the Norwegian glacier Austre Okstindbreen are not entirely eliminated after 1–2 months of ablation in the following summer. The relationship between regional temperature changes and δ18O values in the snowpack is affected by many natural factors, but 1989/90 winter air temperatures were reflected in the snow which remained on Austre Okstindbreen at 1350 m a.s.l. in July 1990. There were many variations of δ18O values in the 4.1m of snow above the 1989 summer surface, but variations in the underlying firn were relatively small. Meltwater percolation modifies the initial variations of δ18O values in the snowpack. At a site below the mean equilibrium-line altitude on Austre Okstindbreen, increased isotopic homogenization within a 10 day period in July accompanied an increase of the mean δ18O value. Although the isotopic record at a temperate glacier is likely to be influenced by more factors than is that at polar glaciers, it can provide an estimate of the approximate trend of local temperature variations.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. White ◽  
L. Copland

Abstract. A combination of Landsat and ASTER satellite scenes, from the 1970s to late-2000s, were used to quantify changes in the extent of glaciers in 130 basins across the Southern Patagonian Icefield (SPI). There was extensive net overall loss, with a reduction in ice area of ∼ 420 km2 (∼ 3% of the SPI) between 1984/86 and 2008/10. For glaciers which retreated, the mean annual loss rate was 0.19 km2 yr−1 between 1976/79 and 1984/86, 0.16 km2 yr−1 between 1984/86 and 2000/02, and 0.16 km2 yr−1 between 2000/02 and 2008/10. Since the 1980s, glaciers located in the northwest quadrant of the SPI experienced the highest mean annual loss rates, at 0.22 km2 yr−1, while those in the southwest experienced the lowest mean annual loss rates, at 0.06 km2 yr−1. NCEP/NCAR climate reanalysis indicates that mean monthly surface air temperatures have increased by an average of +0.12 °C decade−1 (p = 0.0002) since 1950, particularly during the winter season, resulting in a~change from mean negative to mean positive monthly winter temperatures and the earlier onset of spring. Increased winter temperatures have likely caused a switch in precipitation type from snow to rain and an associated reduction in glacier mass balance, even though there has been no significant trend in total annual precipitation over this period.


Author(s):  
Arjun Sil ◽  
Vanapalli Naveen Kumar

AbstractThe undefendable outbreak of novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) lead to a global health emergency due to its higher transmission rate and longer symptomatic duration, created a health surge in a short time. Since Nov 2019 the outbreak in China, the virus is spreading exponentially everywhere. The current study focuses on the relationship between environmental parameters and the growth rate of COVID-19. The statistical analysis suggests that the temperature changes retarded the growth rate and found that −6.28°C and +14.51°C temperature is the favorable range for COVID-19 growth. Gutenberg-Richter’s relationship is used to estimate the mean daily rate of exceedance of confirmed cases concerning the change in temperature. Temperature is the most influential parameter that reduces the growth at the rate of 13–16 cases/day with a 1°C rise in temperature.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.Y. Hafez ◽  
S.M. Robaa

The relationship between the NAO index and ENSO and the mean surface air temperature over Egypt has been investigated. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data of the monthly mean surface air temperature over Egypt for the period (1948-2005) have been used in this study. The corresponding monthly mean values of NAO index, SOI, and El-Nino3 have been also used. Monte Carlo methodology as a linear correlation analysis has been used to obtain the correlation coefficient between the mean surface air temperature over Egypt and NAO, SOI, and El-Nino3 through the period (1948-2005). The results show that surface air temperature in Egypt is significantly correlated with the climatic index NAO and ENSO only for a south western part of Egypt. There is a significant negative correlation (-0.6) between surface air temperature over south west part of Egypt in winter season and NAO index. The relationship between EL-Nino3 and surface air temperature has contradicted the relationship with SOI. Whereas, a significant positive correlation (+0.6) between surface air temperature over south west part of Egypt and EL-Nino3 in autumn season. Surface air temperature correlated with SOI by a significant negative correlation (-0.5) during the same season over south west of Egypt. It is concluded that the surface air temperature is significantly correlated with NAO index and ENSO over the south west part of Egypt.


1978 ◽  
Vol 21 (85) ◽  
pp. 705-705
Author(s):  
L. Levi

AbstractThe probability P that ice embryos, nucleated inside droplets colliding with an ice surface, have crystallographic orientations different from that of the substrate, is correlated with the mean number of droplets which form each crystal in accretions grown in dry regime (substrate temperature Ts < 0°C). The theory of heterogeneous nucleation is applied to represent the ice embryo nucleation rate and the approximate expression is obtained, where ΔGy* is the nucleation energy for randomly oriented critical embryos. Assuming cap-shaped embryos and taking into account the crystal size in accretions grown at Ts = —15°C and air temperatures , it is found that ergThe relationship between the value of ΔGy* and those of the crystal-embryo and crystal-melt interfacial free energies is discussed. Finally the dependence of P0 on the growth conditions and on the ice substrate orientation is analysed, considering the effect of embryo breeding by collision and that of orientation selection, which is responsible for the establishment of preferential orientations in the accretions.


Author(s):  
Barbara Skowera ◽  
Joanna Kopcińska ◽  
Bogumiła Kopeć

Abstract Changes in thermal and precipitation conditions in Poland in 1971-2010. The article presents changes in thermal and precipitation conditions on Polish territory in the years 1971- -2010 based on data from six meteorological stations (Koszalin, Olsztyn, Poznań, Lublin, Opole and Kraków). These data concern the monthly average air temperature, precipitation and the number of days with precipitation per month. Based on the analysis of changing trends in the study of meteorological elements, authors observed an increase in the mean annual air temperature of about 0.9°C over 10 years in all localities. In contrast, trends in the average monthly air temperatures were characterised by temporal and spatial variation. As a result of the increase in temperature, there was a change in the dates signifying the beginning and the end of the thermal periods: farming (OG), vegetation (OW), intensive vegetation (OIW) and maturation or thermal summers (OD/L). A tendency for these periods to start earlier was noted. Statistically significant changes were found for the following periods: vegetation in Koszalin and Olsztyn, intensive vegetation at all stations and thermal summer only in Lublin. An increasingly later end to these periods was noted, and statistically significant trends were found for the dates of the end of the following periods: maturation (thermal summer) at all stations except Opole, intensive vegetation in Poznań and Lublin and vegetation in Lublin and Opole. Seasonal and monthly precipitation totals in the years 1971-2010 were characterised by cyclicality. Significant upward trends were found only in the case of monthly precipitation totals in August in Koszalin and the sum of precipitation in the cooler half of the year in Poznań. In contrast, there was more days with precipitation at all stations included in the study, but the statistical significance of trends varied by location. Changes in thermal and precipitation conditions were accompanied by, among other factors, an increase in temperature, changes in the length of thermal periods and an increase in the frequency of rainfall. All of this is important information for the agricultural sector regarding changing crop conditions


1978 ◽  
Vol 21 (85) ◽  
pp. 705
Author(s):  
L. Levi

Abstract The probability P that ice embryos, nucleated inside droplets colliding with an ice surface, have crystallographic orientations different from that of the substrate, is correlated with the mean number of droplets which form each crystal in accretions grown in dry regime (substrate temperature T s &lt; 0°C). The theory of heterogeneous nucleation is applied to represent the ice embryo nucleation rate and the approximate expression is obtained, where ΔG y * is the nucleation energy for randomly oriented critical embryos. Assuming cap-shaped embryos and taking into account the crystal size in accretions grown at T s = —15°C and air temperatures , it is found that erg The relationship between the value of ΔG y * and those of the crystal-embryo and crystal-melt interfacial free energies is discussed. Finally the dependence of P 0 on the growth conditions and on the ice substrate orientation is analysed, considering the effect of embryo breeding by collision and that of orientation selection, which is responsible for the establishment of preferential orientations in the accretions.


1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 704-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean G Forrester ◽  
Murray W Lankester

This study examined the ability of first-stageParelaphostrongylus tenuis larvae to survive winter conditions at the northern limits of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) range. Fecal pellets freshly deposited by infected deer were collected at the beginning of each winter month (9 December 1996 to 12 March 1997) and placed out in a traditional deer wintering area located near Grand Marais, Minnesota, and at a site in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The temperatures experienced by larvae at different levels within the snow cover were monitored and survivorship was calculated each month. Overall larval survivorship from December to April was only 27%. Although temperatures experienced by larvae beneath the snow for 4 months at Grand Marais were greatly moderated (-0.2 to -2.5°C) compared with air temperatures (6.5 to -24.0°C), fewer larvae survived (16%) than at a lower, constant temperature (-14oC) in the laboratory (76%). The mean numbers of first-stage larvae passed by deer (expressed per gramof dried feces (gd)) varied considerably over winter, from a low of 289/gd in December to a peak of 1127/gd in March. Considerable reproductive potential was lost because this spring (March) rise occurred before the end of winter. Nonetheless, the meningeal worm still successfully infects up to 82% of white-tailed deer in northern areas, and it is probably those larvae produced during the snow-free period while deer are dispersed over their summer habitat that play the biggest role in transmission.


1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (03) ◽  
pp. 263-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M H P van den Besselaar ◽  
R M Bertina

SummaryIn a collaborative trial of eleven laboratories which was performed mainly within the framework of the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), a second reference material for thromboplastin, rabbit, plain, was calibrated against its predecessor RBT/79. This second reference material (coded CRM 149R) has a mean International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1.343 with a standard error of the mean of 0.035. The standard error of the ISI was determined by combination of the standard errors of the ISI of RBT/79 and the slope of the calibration line in this trial.The BCR reference material for thromboplastin, human, plain (coded BCT/099) was also included in this trial for assessment of the long-term stability of the relationship with RBT/79. The results indicated that this relationship has not changed over a period of 8 years. The interlaboratory variation of the slope of the relationship between CRM 149R and RBT/79 was significantly lower than the variation of the slope of the relationship between BCT/099 and RBT/79. In addition to the manual technique, a semi-automatic coagulometer according to Schnitger & Gross was used to determine prothrombin times with CRM 149R. The mean ISI of CRM 149R was not affected by replacement of the manual technique by this particular coagulometer.Two lyophilized plasmas were included in this trial. The mean slope of relationship between RBT/79 and CRM 149R based on the two lyophilized plasmas was the same as the corresponding slope based on fresh plasmas. Tlowever, the mean slope of relationship between RBT/79 and BCT/099 based on the two lyophilized plasmas was 4.9% higher than the mean slope based on fresh plasmas. Thus, the use of these lyophilized plasmas induced a small but significant bias in the slope of relationship between these thromboplastins of different species.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain Mackinnon

This article employs a new approach to studying internal colonialism in northern Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries. A common approach to examining internal colonial situations within modern state territories is to compare characteristics of the internal colonial situation with attested attributes of external colonial relations. Although this article does not reject the comparative approach, it seeks to avoid criticisms that this approach can be misleading by demonstrating that promoters and managers of projects involving land use change, territorial dispossession and industrial development in the late modern Gàidhealtachd consistently conceived of their work as projects of colonization. It further argues that the new social, cultural and political structures these projects imposed on the area's indigenous population correspond to those found in other colonial situations, and that racist and racialist attitudes towards Gaels of the time are typical of those in colonial situations during the period. The article concludes that the late modern Gàidhealtachd has been a site of internal colonization where the relationship of domination between colonizer and colonized is complex, longstanding and occurring within the imperial state. In doing so it demonstrates that the history and present of the Gaels of Scotland belongs within the ambit of an emerging indigenous research paradigm.


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