scholarly journals Effect of precipitation seasonality on annual oxygen isotopic composition in the area of spring persistent rain in southeastern China and its paleoclimatic implication

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiwei Zhang ◽  
Hai Cheng ◽  
Yanjun Cai ◽  
Christoph Spötl ◽  
Ashish Sinha ◽  
...  

Abstract. This study examines the seasonality of precipitation amount and δ18O over the monsoon region of China (MRC). We found that the precipitation amount associated with the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) in the spring persistent rain (SPR) region is equivalent to that of the nonsummer monsoon (NSM). The latter contributes ∼50 % to amount-weighted annual δ18O values, in contrast with other areas in the MRC, where the δ18O of annual precipitation is dominated by EASM precipitation. Interannual relationships between the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index, simulated δ18O data from IsoGSM, and seasonal precipitation amount in the SPR region were also examined. We found that on interannual timescales, the seasonality of precipitation amount (EASM ∕ NSM ratio) was modulated by ENSO and primarily influences the variability of amount-weighted annual precipitation δ18O values in the SPR region, although integrated regional convection and moisture source and transport distance may also play subordinate roles. During El Niño (La Niña) phases, less (more) EASM and more (less) NSM precipitation leading to lower (higher) EASM ∕ NSM precipitation amount ratios results in higher (lower) amount-weighted annual precipitation δ18O values and, consequently, in higher (lower) speleothem δ18O values. Characterizing spatial differences in seasonal precipitation is, therefore, key to correctly interpreting speleothem δ18O records from the MRC.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Wiedermann ◽  
Jonatan F. Siegmund ◽  
Jonathan F. Donges ◽  
Reik V. Donner

The effects of El Niño's two distinct flavors, East Pacific (EP) and Central Pacific (CP)/Modoki El Niño, on global climate variability have been studied intensively in recent years. Most of these studies have made use of linear multivariate statistics or composite analysis. Especially the former assumes the same type of linear statistical dependency to apply across different phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which appears not necessarily a justified assumption. Here, we statistically evaluate the likelihood of co-occurrences between very high or very low seasonal precipitation sums over vast parts of the global land surface and the presence of the respective EP and CP types of both, El Niño and La Niña. By employing event coincidence analysis, we uncover differential imprints of both flavors on very low and very high seasonal precipitation patterns over distinct regions across the globe, which may severely affect, among others, agricultural and biomass production or public health. We particularly find that EP periods exhibit statistically significant event coincidence rates with hydrometeorological anomalies at larger spatial scales, whereas sparser patterns emerge along with CP periods. Our statistical analysis confirms previously reported interrelations for EP periods and uncovers additional distinct regional patterns of very high/low seasonal precipitation, such as increased rainfall over Central Asia alongside CP periods that have to our knowledge not been reported so far. Our results demonstrate that a thorough distinction of El Niño and La Niña into their two respective flavors could be crucial for understanding the emergence of strong regional hydrometeorological anomalies and anticipating their associated ecological and socioeconomic impacts.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghouse Basha ◽  
M. Venkat Ratnam ◽  
Pangaluru Kishore ◽  
S. Ravindrababu ◽  
Isabella Velicogna

Abstract. The Asian Summer Monsoon Anticyclone (ASMA) persisting during monsoon season in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) region play an important role in confining the trace gases and aerosols for a longer period thus affects regional and global climate. Our understanding on these trace gases and aerosols variability in the ASMA is limited. In this study, the effect of the ASMA on the trace gases (Water Vapour (WV), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO)) and aerosols (Attenuated Scattering Ratio (ASR)) obtained from long-term (2006–2016) satellite measurements is investigated. Since the ASMA is present in the UTLS region, its influence on the tropopause characteristics is also explored. Higher tropopause altitude, WV, CO and ASR confining to the ASMA region is observed, whereas tropopause temperatures and O3 are found low. There exists large inter-annual variation in the ASMA and hence its effect on these trace gases and aerosols are also seen clearly. A significant relationship is also observed between the phases of Quasi-Biannual Oscillation (QBO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the trace gases and ASR, including the tropopause when measurements in the ASMA region are subject to multivariate regression analysis. Further, the influence of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) activity on the ASMA trace gases and aerosols is studied with respect to active and break spells of monsoon, strong and weak monsoon years, strong La Niña, El Niño years. Results show a significant increase in WV, CO and decrease in O3 during the active phase of the ISM, strong monsoon years and strong La Niña years in the ASMA. Enhancement in the ASR values during the strong monsoon years and strong La Niña years is observed. Thus, it is prudent to conclude that the dynamics of the ASMA play an important role in the confinement of several trace gases and aerosols and suggested to consider the activity of summer monsoon while dealing with them at sub-seasonal scales.


A simple ocean-atmosphere coupled model is developed to investigate the evolution of a warm El Niño event in the tropical Pacific Ocean. In the absence of climatological winds the model readily evolves a realistic eastward-propagating structure provided that warm sea surface temperature (sst) covers the entire equatorial ocean uniformly. The final state of the model is similar to the mature phase of El Niño. In the presence of realistic climatological winds, however, the model behaves in a different way. It remains in a cold La Nina phase without showing any significant eastward propagation of an air-sea coupled coherent structure. Based on these model results and recent data analyses on the tropospheric quasi-biennial oscillation, it is argued that the Asian summer monsoon before and after the warm phase of El Niño Southern Oscillation is possible.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Salah Basem Ajjur ◽  
Sami G. Al-Ghamdi

The seasonal precipitation (SP) trend and its sensitivity to teleconnection patterns over the East Mediterranean (EM) region remain inconsistent. Based on rainfall records during 1974–2016 at seven meteorological stations in the Gaza region, this study aims to (1) analyze the observed SP trend over the Gaza region, and (2) examine the SP sensitivity to climate indices. Pearson and Spearman correlations between climate indices and SP in the current and following years were calculated, and the seasonal period (particular month) with the highest correlation was identified. Results show that the climate indices, with greater impact on SP over the Gaza region in the autumn and spring, were in the order; El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) > East Atlantic/Western Russia (EAWR) > North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) > Arctic Oscillation (AO). The indices’ impact was minimal in the winter precipitation. ENSO types’ correlations (Southern Oscillation Index-SOI and Niño 3.4) were moderate and significant at α = 0.05. Rainfall at most stations positively correlates with AO and EAWR in spring and autumn. During the study period, warm phases of ENSO (i.e., El Niño) intensified autumn precipitation. Simultaneously with warm phases of EAWR or AO, more influence on autumn precipitation is exerted. Cold phases of ENSO (i.e., La Niña) have an adverse impact compared to El Niño. EAWR co-variation was evident only with the ENSO. Regarding AO, a non-meaningful action was noticed during the neutral phases of ENSO and EAWR. The findings of this study help understand and predict the seasonal trend of precipitation over the Gaza region. This is essential to set up climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the EM region.


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