scholarly journals Measurements of atmospheric electricity in the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory, Hungary

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
József Bór ◽  
Gabriella Sátori ◽  
Veronika Barta ◽  
Karolina Szabóné-André ◽  
Judit Szendrői ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Electricity ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Electric Circuit ◽  
Hungarian Academy ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Atmospheric Sciences ◽  
Schumann Resonances ◽  
Geophysical Observatory ◽  
The People

Abstract. The Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory, also known as the Nagycenk Geophysical Observatory (NCK), was established in 1957. It has been the only measurement site in Hungary where observations of various parameters of the atmospheric global electric circuit are made in the framework of organized research under the umbrella of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). Measurements of the atmospheric electrical potential gradient (PG) and Schumann resonances (SRs) running quasi-continuously in the observatory for decades provide an invaluable source of information for geophysical research. This paper gives an overview on the history of the observatory and particularly on various atmospheric electricity (AE) measurements on-site to commemorate the efforts and excellence of the people who served atmospheric sciences by dedicating their lives to obtaining high-quality, reliable data and scientific achievements at the highest possible level.

Investigating the long-term variation of atmospheric electric potential gradient at Nagycenk, Hungary, Central Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Buzas ◽  
Veronika Barta ◽  
József Bór ◽  
Tamás Horváth
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Atmospheric Electricity ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Electric Circuit ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Term Variation ◽  
Atmospheric Electric Potential Gradient

<p><span><span>The atmospheric electric potential gradient (PG, the reverse of the atmospheric vertical electric field) is commonly measured near the ground. The PG plays a pivotal role in studying the global electric circuit (GEC) which comprises all large scale quasi-static electrical processes occurring in between the Earth's surface and the lower ionosphere [1]. Therefore, long-term, coherent PG measurements are of high importance in atmospheric electricity research. Nevertheless, it is a challenging task to use PG as a reliable diagnostic tool for investigating global changes in Earth’s electromagnetic environment because of its high variability. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span><span>There are few PG datasets around the globe which are long enough and have been recorded continuously for decades. One of the datasets that fulfil these requirements has been recorded in the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory, Nagycenk, Hungary, Central Europe (NCK, </span></span><span>47°38’ N, 16°43’ E</span><span><span>). A necessary correction of the recorded PG time series due to the time-dependent shielding effect of nearby trees at NCK was introduced earlier [2,3]. In this study, the corrected long-term (1962-2009) variation of PG at NCK is exhibited and discussed.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span><span>In the present study, the behaviour of annual minima, maxima, means, and summer and winter means of the PG at NCK are investigated. As these PG time-series exhibited quite different characteristics, the joint analysis of these data is required. The long-term variation of these PG time series can be divided into three periods: the first period (1962-1985) is characterized by a rather steep increase and is mostly driven by the wintertime data. The increase continues with a moderate magnitude and less significantly in the second period (1986-1997) where summertime data dominate the change, whereas there is a pronounced reduction of the PG in the third period (1997-2009) with almost equal magnitude in both the winter- and summertime records. These observed trends are confirmed by independent PG observations made at other measuring sites (e.g., the Swider Observatory, Poland).</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span><span>The PG at NCK is generally greater in winter than in summer, which is a well-known phenomenon at northern hemisphere continental stations [4]. The annual minima, however, do not comply with this trend in every year. The month with the lowest average PG is in late spring (May) in most years of the examined epoch at NCK but minimum values occur in autumn and winter months as well.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span><span>References:</span></span></p><p><span><span>[1] Rycroft, M. J., Israelsson, S., and Price, C.: The global atmospheric electric circuit, solar activity and climate change, J. Atmos. Sol-Terr. Phy., 62, 1563–1576, 2000.</span></span></p><p><span><span>[2] Buzás, A., Barta, V., Steinbach, P., and Bór, J.: Impact of local environmental conditions on atmospheric electrical potential gradient measurements, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 19, EGU2017-1193-1, 2017.</span></span></p><p><span><span>[3] Buzás, A., Horváth, T., Barta, V., and Bór, J.: Revisiting the decreasing trend of atmospheric electrical potential gradient measured in Central Europe at Nagycenk, Hungary, Geophysical Research Abstracts, 20, EGU2018-6723, 2018.</span></span></p><p><span><span>[4] Chalmers, J. A.: Atmospheric Electricity, second edition, Pergamon Press, London, pp. 168-169 1967.</span></span></p>

scholarly journals Atmospheric electricity over the ocean

1911 ◽  
Vol 85 (577) ◽  
pp. 175-199 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Atmospheric Electricity ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Closed Vessel ◽  
Excellent Opportunity ◽  
Free Ions ◽  
Terra Nova ◽  
Electrical Potential Gradient

Although the different phenomena of atmospheric electricity have been thoroughly investigated over land, very little work has yet been done over the ocean, and on the few occasions on which experiments have been made, the observations have been too few to give conclusive results. It was thought that the long voyage from England to New Zealand of Captain Scott’s Antarctic ship “Terra Nova” would furnish an excellent opportunity for continuing these investigations. The plan of the work to be undertaken was:— (1) To investigate the electrical potential-gradient existing over the ocean. (2) To investigate the quantity of the radioactive products in the air. (3) To measure the number of free ions over the ocean. (4) To investigate the ionisation of the air in a closed vessel, with the object of determining the presence or absence of a penetrating radiation over the sea.

scholarly journals Further signatures of long-term changes in atmospheric electrical parameters observed in Europe

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1987-1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Märcz ◽  
R. G. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Electricity ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Electrical Circuit ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Electrical Parameters ◽  
The Uk

Abstract. Long-term decreases found recently in both the atmospheric electrical potential gradient (PG) and the air-Earth current density (Jz), using observation series from the UK and Hungary, have motivated studies of other European data. Two surface data series somewhat longer than a decade were available: PG data obtained at Serra do Pilar (Portugal), and PG, Jz and positive air conductivity measurements at Athens (Greece). Selecting data to minimise local effects, the 1960–1971 Serra do Pilar PG values decrease at dawn and in the evening. Dawn data obtained at Athens (1967–1977) indicate a reduction in Jz, while the simultaneous PG values there increase (coincident air conductivity values decrease) for the periods investigated. The Athens PG increase is attributed to local aerosol influences, typical of urban environments. Despite the urban influence, the Athens Jz shows similarities with soundings of the ionospheric potential. The decline in Jz at Athens occurs simultaneously with a decrease reported previously in Jz at Kew (UK), indicating that, at least, a regional decrease in the global atmospheric electrical circuit occurred during part of the twentieth century. Similar surface changes occur in European atmospheric electrical parameters, with a decrease of about 0.5% to 0.7% per year between 1920 and 1970 (possibly extending back to 1898), an annual decrease of between 2.7 and 3.4%, between 1959 and 1971 and a continued decrease of about ~1% per year between 1967 and 1984, possibly still continuing. Keywords. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (Atmospheric electricity) – Geomagnetism and paleomagnetism (Time variations, secular and long term) – Atmospheric composition and structure (Aerosols and particles)

Cause-and-effect relations between cosmic rays, electric field, aerosols and clouds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavros Stathopoulos ◽  
Stergios Misios ◽  
Konstantinos Kourtidis
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
Atmospheric Electricity ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Global Coordination

<p>Here we examine the cause-and-effect relations between galactic cosmic rays, electric field, aerosols and clouds over a region of Atlantic Ocean, during a Forbush Decrease (FD) event on 07/12/2015, using Convergent Cross Mapping (CCM) method. For this purpose, we used FD data from the Neuron Monitor Database (NMDB), Potential Gradient data (PG) from Global Coordination of Atmospheric Electricity Measurements (GLOCAEM) and remote sensing data from MODIS/Aqua, namely Aerosol Optical Depth at 550nm (AOD), Cloud Fraction (CF), Cloud Optical Thickness (COT), Cloud Top Pressure (CTP), Cirrus Reflectance (CR) and Cloud Effective Radius-Liquid (CERL). A cause-and-effect relation was found between FD and AOD, CERL, CF and PG, over the region. On the other hand, no causal effect was found between FD and COT, CTP and CR. This research is funded in the context of the project "Cosmic and electric effects on aerosols and clouds” (MIS: 5049552) under the call for proposals “Support for researchers with emphasis on young researchers - Cycle B” (EDULL 103). The project is co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) by the Operational Programme Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014-2020.</p>

A method of determining electrical potential gradient across mitochondrial membrane in perfused rat hearts

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (2) ◽  
pp. H445-H452 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wan ◽  
C. Doumen ◽  
J. Duszynski ◽  
G. Salama ◽  
K. F. LaNoue
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Order Rate Constant ◽  
Isolated Rat Heart ◽  
First Order ◽  
Order Rate ◽  
Rat Hearts ◽  
Perfused Rat Hearts ◽  
Electrical Potential Gradient

The electrical potential gradient across the mitochondrial membrane (delta psi m) in perfused rat hearts was estimated by calculating the equilibrium distribution of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+), using measured kinetic constants of uptake and release of TPP+. First-order rate constants of TPP+ uptake were measured during 30-min perfusions of intact rat hearts with tracer amounts (5.0 nM) of tritium-labeled TPP+ ([3H]TPP+) in the perfusate. This was followed by a 30-min washout, during which the first-order rate constant of efflux was estimated. Values of [3H]TPP+ outside the heart and total [3H]TPP+ inside the heart at equilibrium were calculated. From this information and separately estimated time-averaged plasma membrane potentials (delta psi c) it was possible to calculate free cytosolic [3H]TPP+ at equilibrium. It was also possible to calculate free intramitochondrial [3H]TPP+ at equilibrium as the difference between total tissue [3H]TPP+ minus free cytosolic TPP+ and the sum of all the bound [3H]TPP+. Bound [3H]TPP+ was determined from [3H]TPP+ binding constants measured in separate experiments, using both isolated mitochondria and isolated cardiac myocytes under conditions where both delta psi m and delta psi c were zero. Delta psi m was calculated from the intramitochondrial and cytosolic free TPP+ concentrations using the Nernst equation. Values of delta psi m were 144.9 +/- 2.0 mV in hearts perfused with 5 mM pyruvate and 118.2 +/- 1.4 mV in hearts perfused with 11 mM glucose, in good agreement with delta psi m obtained from isolated rat heart mitochondria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Electrophysiology of renal capillary membranes: gel concept applied and Starling model challenged

1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (3) ◽  
pp. F364-F373 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wolgast ◽  
G. Ojteg
Keyword(s):  
Charge Density ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Swelling Pressure ◽  
Porous Membrane ◽  
Fixed Charge ◽  
Fixed Charge Density ◽  
Capillary Membranes ◽  
External Forces ◽  
Gel Membranes

In the classical Starling model the hydrostatic pressure in the pores is generally lower than that in capillary plasma, a phenomenon that necessitates the assumption of a rigid porous membrane. In flexible gel membranes, the capillary pressure is suggested to be balanced by a gel swelling pressure generated by negative fixed charges. Regarding the fluid transfer, the transmembranous electrical potential gradient will generate a net driving electroosmotic force. This force will be numerically similar to the net driving Starling force in small pores, but distinctly different in large pores. From previous data on the hydrostatic and colloid osmotic forces, the fixed charge density at the two interfaces of 1) the glomerular and 2) the peritubular capillary membrane were calculated and used to predict the flux of a series of charged protein probes. The close fit to the experimental data in both the capillary beds is in line with the gel concept presented. The gel concept (but hardly a rigid membrane) explains the ability of capillary membranes to alter their permeability in response to external forces. Gel membranes can furthermore be predicted to have a self-rinsing ability, as entrapped proteins will increase the local fixed charge density, leading to fluid entry into the region between the particle and the pore rim, which by consequent widening of the channel will facilitate extrusion of trapped proteins.

The Epidermo-Peritoneal Potential in Patients Treated with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Davenport ◽  
S.F. Dealler
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Potential Gradient ◽  
Subsequent Infection ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Bacterial Migration ◽  
Skin Commensals ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
End Stage

At physiologic pH, S. epidermidis moves along an electrical potential gradient. We measured the epidermo-peritoneal electrical potential (EPP) in 23 end-stage renal failure patients treated with CAPD. There was a negative correlation between the mean EPP and the patient's age (r=0.47, p=0.016), but no correlation between the mean EPP and the duration of treatment (r=0.003, p=0.5). The EPP was greater in those patients with a history of recurrent bacterial peritonitis due to S. epidermidis [median EPP 23 mv (95% confidence limits 16-51)] compared to those with only one or no episodes of bacterial peritonitis due to S. epidermidis infection [11 mv (9-17), p<0.05]. Thus electrical gradients caused by the presence of the CAPD catheter could contribute to colonisation and subsequent infection by skin commensals, by aiding bacterial migration.

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