scholarly journals Variability of tropospheric methane above the Mediterranean Basin inferred from satellite and model data

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 9975-10024
Author(s):  
P. Ricaud ◽  
B. Sič ◽  
L. El Amraoui ◽  
J.-L. Attié ◽  
P. Huszar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Emission Scenarios ◽  
The West ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. The space and time variabilities of methane (CH4) total column and upper tropospheric mixing ratios are analyzed above the Mediterranean Basin (MB) as part of the Chemical and Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx) programme. Spaceborne measurements from the Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observations-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) instrument on the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) satellite, the Atmospheric InfraRed Spectrometer (AIRS) on the AURA platform and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounder Interferometer (IASI) instrument aboard the MetOp-A platform are used in conjunction with model results from the Chemical Transport Model (CTM) MOCAGE, and the Chemical Climate Models (CCMs) CNRM-AOCCM and LMDz-OR-INCA (according to different emission scenarios). In order to minimize systematic errors in the spaceborne measurements, we have only considered maritime pixels over the MB. The period under interest spans from 2008 to 2011 considering satellite and MOCAGE data and, regarding the CCMs, from 2001 to 2010. An East-West gradient in CH4 is observed and modelled whatever the season considered. In winter, air masses mainly originating from Atlantic Ocean and Europe tend to favour an elevated amount of mid-to-upper tropospheric CH4 in the West vs. the East of the MB, with a general upward transport above the MB. In summer, the meteorological state of the MB is changed, favouring air from Northern Africa and Middle East together with Atlantic Ocean and Europe, with a general downward motion above the MB. The Asian Monsoon traps and uplifts high amounts of CH4 that are transported towards North Africa and Middle East by the Asian Monsoon Anticyclone to finally reach and descent in the East of the MB. Consequently, the mid-to-upper tropospheric CH4 is much greater in the East than in the West of the MB. The seasonal variation of the difference in CH4 between the East and the West MB does show a maximum in summer for pressures from 500 to 100 hPa considering both spaceborne measurements and model results whatever the emission scenarios used. From this study, we can conclude that CH4 in the mid-to-upper troposphere over the MB is mainly affected by long-range transport, particularly intense in summer from Asia. In the low-to-mid troposphere, the local sources of emission in the vicinity of the MB mainly affect the CH4 variability.

scholarly journals Impact of the Asian monsoon anticyclone on the variability of mid-to-upper tropospheric methane above the Mediterranean Basin

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 11427-11446 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ricaud ◽  
B. Sič ◽  
L. El Amraoui ◽  
J.-L. Attié ◽  
R. Zbinden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
East West ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. The space and time variabilities of methane (CH4) total column and upper tropospheric mixing ratios are analysed above the Mediterranean Basin (MB) as part of the Chemical and Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx) programme. Since the analysis of the mid-to-upper tropospheric CH4 distribution from spaceborne sensors and model outputs is challenging, we have adopted a climatological approach and have used a wide variety of data sets. We have combined spaceborne measurements from the Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observations – Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) instrument on the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) satellite, the Atmospheric InfraRed Spectrometer (AIRS) on the AURA platform and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounder Interferometer (IASI) instrument aboard the MetOp-A platform with model results from the Chemical Transport Model (CTM) MOCAGE, and the Chemical Climate Models (CCMs) CNRM-AOCCM and LMDz-OR-INCA (according to different emission scenarios). In order to minimize systematic errors in the spaceborne measurements, we have only considered maritime pixels over the MB. The period of interest spans from 2008 to 2011 considering satellite and MOCAGE data and, regarding the CCMs, from 2001 to 2010. Although CH4 is a long-lived tracer with lifetime of ~12 years and is supposed to be well mixed in the troposphere, an east–west gradient in CH4 is observed and modelled in the mid-to-upper troposphere with a maximum in the Western MB in all seasons except in summer when CH4 accumulates above the Eastern MB. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the east–west seasonal variation in CH4 above the MB in the upper troposphere (300 hPa) is weak but almost twice as great in the satellite measurements (~25 ppbv) as in the model data (~15 ppbv). The maximum of CH4 in summer above the eastern MB can be explained by a series of dynamical processes only occurring in summer. The Asian monsoon traps and uplifts high amounts of CH4 to the upper troposphere where they build up. The Asian Monsoon Anticyclone redistributes these elevated CH4 amounts towards North Africa and the Middle East to finally reach and descend in the eastern MB. In the lower troposphere, the CH4 variability is mainly driven by the local sources of emission in the vicinity of the MB.

scholarly journals Primary aerosol and secondary inorganic aerosol budget over the Mediterranean Basin during 2012 and 2013

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 4911-4934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Guth ◽  
Virginie Marécal ◽  
Béatrice Josse ◽  
Joaquim Arteta ◽  
Paul Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Anthropogenic Emissions ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Inorganic Aerosols ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. In the frame of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx), we analyse the budget of primary aerosols and secondary inorganic aerosols over the Mediterranean Basin during the years 2012 and 2013. To do this, we use two year-long numerical simulations with the chemistry-transport model MOCAGE validated against satellite- and ground-based measurements. The budget is presented on an annual and a monthly basis on a domain covering 29 to 47° N latitude and 10° W to 38° E longitude. The years 2012 and 2013 show similar seasonal variations. The desert dust is the main contributor to the annual aerosol burden in the Mediterranean region with a peak in spring, and sea salt being the second most important contributor. The secondary inorganic aerosols, taken as a whole, contribute a similar level to sea salt. The results show that all of the considered aerosol types, except for sea salt aerosols, experience net export out of our Mediterranean Basin model domain, and thus this area should be considered as a source region for aerosols globally. Our study showed that 11 % of the desert dust, 22.8 to 39.5 % of the carbonaceous aerosols, 35 % of the sulfate and 9 % of the ammonium emitted or produced into the study domain are exported. The main sources of variability for aerosols between 2012 and 2013 are weather-related variations, acting on emissions processes, and the episodic import of aerosols from North American fires. In order to assess the importance of the anthropogenic emissions of the marine and the coastal areas which are central for the economy of the Mediterranean Basin, we made a sensitivity test simulation. This simulation is similar to the reference simulation but with the removal of the international shipping emissions and the anthropogenic emissions over a 50 km wide band inland along the coast. We showed that around 30 % of the emissions of carbonaceous aerosols and 35 to 60 % of the exported carbonaceous aerosols originates from the marine and coastal areas. The formation of 23, 27 and 27 %, respectively of, ammonium, nitrate and sulfate aerosols is due to the emissions within the marine and coastal area.

THE BYZANTINE-ISLAMIC CONFLICT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN, ACCORDING TO PICARD'S OPINION IN HIS BOOK, THE SEA OF THE CALIPHS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-243
Author(s):  
Om Alhana Muhammad Nasr MOHAMMED ◽  
Mabrouka Muhammad Al Ghanay HUSSEIN
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
White Sea ◽  
Historical Narrative ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
The White Sea ◽  
The West ◽  
Comparison And Analysis ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Throughout the ages, the Mediterranean was considered a Roman lake, and historians and travelers have always considered it as such, and its name changed for them. Some of them called it the Roman Sea, while others called it the White Sea, and no one would have imagined that this Roman lake that Roman ships sailed in, and after that it was inherited by the Byzantines. It will become an Islamic lake, including Henry Perrin of England, followed by Christophe Picard, author of the book Bahr al-Khulafa '. The importance of this research lies in introducing the author of the book, Bahr al-Khulafa ', and highlighting the underlying reason for adhering to the theory that the Mediterranean is a Roman Sea, while the objectives of the research come to reveal the invalidity of the theory that historians adhere to the West, which says that trade in the Mediterranean will collapse with the entry of Muslims into it. The most prominent results of the research were the finding that Picard is only one of the Orientalists, who despite his presence in the countries of the East and his calls that he is an Arabist, not an Orientalist, was unable to deny the accusation of Muslims of piracy in the Mediterranean. The two researchers adopted the historical narrative approach with comparison and analysis whenever the need arises

scholarly journals Wine and Society - Welcome Editorial

Wine Studies ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Maurizio Trevisan
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Early Sign ◽  
Western Civilization ◽  
Nile Valley ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Fertile Crescent ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Wine, its production and consumption, has accompanied western civilization for thousands of years. Since the early sign of its production in the Fertile crescent area, approximately 6000-8000 years ago, the culture of wine has spread out through the middle east, the Nile valley and the Mediterranean basin. Wine became part of the recorded history in ancient Egypt were it was used as part of religious ceremonies and by the Pharaos and the elite.

scholarly journals Anthropogenic and natural CO<sub>2</sub> exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Huertas ◽  
A. F. Ríos ◽  
J. García-Lafuente ◽  
A. Makaoui ◽  
S. Rodríguez-Gálvez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Strait Of Gibraltar ◽  
Anthropogenic Carbon ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Mediterranean Water

Abstract. The exchange of both anthropogenic and natural inorganic carbon between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea through Strait of Gibraltar was studied for a period of two years under the frame of the CARBOOCEAN project. A comprehensive sampling program was conducted, which was design to collect samples at eight fixed stations located in the Strait in successive cruises periodically distributed through the year in order to ensure a good spatial and temporal coverage. As a result of this monitoring, a time series namely GIFT (GIbraltar Fixed Time series) has been established, allowing the generation of an extensive data set of the carbon system parameters in the area. Data acquired during the development of nine campaigns were analyzed in this work. Total inorganic carbon concentration (CT) was calculated from alkalinity-pHT pairs and appropriate thermodynamic relationships, with the concentration of anthropogenic carbon (CANT) being also computed using two methods, the ΔC* and the TrOCA approach. Applying a two-layer model of water mass exchange through the Strait and using a value of −0.85 Sv for the average transport of the outflowing Mediterranean water recorded in situ during the considered period, a net export of inorganic carbon from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic was obtained, which amounted to 25±0.6 Tg C yr−1. A net alkalinity output of 16±0.6 Tg C yr−1 was also observed to occur through the Strait. In contrast, the Atlantic water was found to contain a higher concentration of anthropogenic carbon than the Mediterranean water, resulting in a net flux of CANT towards the Mediterranean basin of 4.20±0.04 Tg C yr−1 by using the ΔC* method, which constituted the most adequate approach for this environment. A carbon balance in the Mediterranean was assessed and fluxes through the Strait are discussed in relation to the highly diverse estimates available in the literature for the area and the different approaches considered for CANT estimation. This work unequivocally confirms the relevant role of the Strait of Gibraltar as a controlling point for the biogeochemical exchanges occurring between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and emphasizes the influence of the Mediterranean basin in the carbon inventories of the North Atlantic.

The Water-Energy Nexus in the Middle East and North Africa under Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred A. Lange
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Water Energy Nexus ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

&lt;p&gt;The region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) encompasses countries of the eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and North Africa, from Morocco in the West to the Islamic Republic of Iran in the East and from the Syrian Arab Republic in the North to the Republic of Yemen in the South. It is home to some 500 million inhabitants and is characterized by widely varied political and economic settings and a rich cultural heritage. Stark environmental gradients, as well as significant differences in the provision of ecosystem services, both East to West and South to North, are typical for the MENA Region.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Climate changes in the Mediterranean Basin, in general, and in the MENA countries, in particular, currently exceed global mean values significantly. Numerical model results indicate that this trend will continue in the near future and imply that the number of extreme summer temperatures and heatwaves may increase significantly over the coming decades. At the same time, a decrease in precipitation and a significantly longer dry season for most MENA countries than at present are anticipated. This leads to a significantly increased demand for water and energy. In addition, other factors further exacerbate these demands in the MENA, including the general economic development, extreme population growth and increasing urbanization, changes in lifestyle, shifting consumption patterns, inefficiencies in the use of resources that result from technical and managerial inadequacies and energy and water subsidies in several countries of the region to name but a few.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The impacts of climate change will be particularly severe in urban settings and large cities of the Mediterranean Basin and the MENA region. Cities will see an enhanced heat accumulation compared to the surrounding rural land due to heat-build-up in buildings, transportation infrastructure, and enhanced human activities. Reduced ventilation within cities exacerbates the warming, particularly during summer heatwaves. Consequently, additional, energy-intensive space cooling will be needed in order to maintain acceptable indoor conditions. With regard to water scarcity, the aforementioned decreases in precipitation will reduce available drinking water for city inhabitants and green spaces. This requires the provision of unconventional water sources, e.g., through desalination, which requires significant quantities of energy. Overall, climate change will exacerbate resource demand for water and energy, in general, and in urban settings, in particular.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, the provision of water and energy are interrelated. In order to maintain water and energy security in the MENA region, these issues need therefore be considered holistically in the framework of the Water-Energy-Nexus (WEN).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The present paper aims to elucidate some of the interrelationships between water and energy resources and their provision and will briefly outline a few of the possible mitigation/adaptation options/strategies to reduce adverse impacts of climate change on the MENA region and its inhabitants.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Cultivation of Vitis vinifera L. in the light of former publications and today in Poland

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
Krystyna Pudelska ◽  
Margot Dudkiewicz ◽  
Paweł Krawiec
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Vitis Vinifera ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Ornamental Plant ◽  
Vitis Vinifera L ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
Ancient Civilizations ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

In the countries of the Mediterranean Basin viticulture has been dealt with for centuries. It was known to the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and grapevines were widely planted in Greece and Rome. The vineyard was part of the utility garden, usually occupying large areas and at the same time being a connection with the landscape. Creeper vine was also used in decorative gardens as an ornamental plant for various types of buildings and garden structures. The Polish tradition of planting vineyards dates back to the Middle Ages and is mainly associated with the activities of monks, although it was not as common as in the countries of southern Europe. However, in Polish gardening literature and in the literature that describes the development of the art of gardening, you can find lots of tips on how to grow grapevines, their varieties and the descriptions of the vineyards.

Peace in Non-Western Theory

2021 ◽  
pp. 189-203
Author(s):  
Necati Polat
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
The West ◽  
Peace Research ◽  
Cultural Terms ◽  
Western Theory ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

This chapter looks critically into the exhortations in recent peace thinking to accommodate visions of peace outside European modernity, called the West. The discussion problematizes the premise of a radical distinction in cultural terms between the West and the non-West, questioning for each front the notion of a linear cultural transmission from ancient times onward. The binary, the chapter argues, is premised effectively on an oblivion of hybridities, especially in the Mediterranean basin, already before modernity and, later, under modernity, of the virtual recasting of much of what has been out there in the periphery, however named or classified, in the image of modernity. The chapter then considers some of the characteristic oversimplifications in peace research around the theme, which, albeit with a strong anti-ethnocentric posture to begin with, end up largely reproducing the classical Orientalism in its reductionisms.

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