Consistency and Stability of SNPP ATMS Microwave Observations and COSMIC-2 Radio Occultation over Oceans

Radio occultation (RO) sensor measurements have critical roles in numerical weather prediction (NWP) by complementing microwave and infrared sounder measurements with information of the atmospheric profiles at high accuracy, precision, and vertical resolution. This study evaluates Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate 2 (COSMIC-2) wet temperature and humidity data products’ consistency and stability through inter-comparison with SNPP advanced technology microwave sounder (ATMS) measurements. Through the community radiative transfer model (CRTM), brightness temperature (BT) at SNPP ATMS channels are simulated with COSMIC-2 retrieved atmospheric profiles from two versions of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) wet profiles (WETprf and WETpf2) as inputs to the CRTM simulation. The analysis was focused on ATMS sounding channels CH07–14 and CH19–22 with sounding weighting function peak heights from 3.2 to 35 km. The COSMIC-2 vs. ATMS inter-comparison indicates that their BT biases are consistent, and the latitudinal difference is <0.3 K over three latitudinal regions. The differences between the two versions of UCAR COSMIC-2 wet profiles are identified and attributed to the differences in the implementation of 1DVAR retrieval algorithms. The stability between UCAR near real-time COSMIC-2 wet profile data and ATMS measurements is also well-maintained. It is demonstrated that the well-sustained quality of COSMIC-2 RO data makes itself a well-suited reference sensor to capture the calibration update of SNPP ATMS. Furthermore, the impacts of the assimilation of COSMIC-2 data into the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model after 25 March 25, 2020, are evaluated by trending observation-minus-background (O-B) biases, which confirms the statistically significant positive impacts of COSMIC-2 on the ECMWF reanalysis. The validation of stability and consistency between COSMIC-2 and SNPP ATMS ensures the quality of RO and microwave sounder data assimilated into the NWP models.

Early Neoproterozoic (870–820 Ma) amalgamation of the Tarim craton (northwestern China) and the final assembly of Rodinia

In the paleogeographic configuration of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent of Rodinia, the Tarim craton (northwestern China), traditionally seen as a single block, is placed either on the periphery near northern Australia or India or in a central position between Australia and Laurentia. To distinguish between these possibilities, we present here new primary paleomagnetic results from ca. 900 Ma volcanics in the Aksu region of the northwestern Tarim craton. The data reveal a ~28° latitudinal difference between the North Tarim and South Tarim blocks at ca. 900 Ma and constrain the age of amalgamation of the Tarim craton to between 870 and 820 Ma. Combining paleomagnetic poles from Tarim and major cratons of Rodinia with geological evidence, a two-stage orogenic model is proposed for the assembly of Rodinia. Late Mesoproterozoic orogenesis (1.3–1.0 Ga) led to the assembly of Australia–East Antarctica, Baltica, Umkondia, South Tarim, and Cathaysia with Laurentia, forming the core of Rodinia. Thereafter, the Jiangnan–Central Tarim Ocean separating North Tarim and Yangtze from South Tarim and Cathaysia was closed before ca. 820 Ma. This second Jiangnan–Central Tarim orogeny caused nearly coeval amalgamation of the peripheral Tarim and South China cratons by the welding of North Tarim and Yangtze to South Tarim and Cathaysia, respectively. The supercontinent of Rodinia was thus assembled by two orogenic phases separated by ~200 m.y.

A Diagnosis Analysis to inter-annual variation of air-sea Hg flux in global ocean and the “seesaw” effect in equatorial Pacific

&lt;p&gt;The inter-annual variation of mercury(Hg) was spotted in monitoring stations, like the Alert and Mace Head. Nevertheless, the potential reason still lacks of studying. With periodic disturbance like ENSO, air-sea exchange flux, the largest flux between Earth system reservoirs, might greatly contribute to the inter-annual variation of Hg. Therefore, this study intended to explore the inter-annual variation of Hg&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt;, a dominant evasion form of Hg, driven by MITgcm (ocean model). In general, the inter-annual variation of Hg evasion from global ocean was relatively stable in mid and high latitude, but a violent fluctuation was found in the tropical sea areas, especially equatorial Pacific. A distinct latitudinal difference was spotted that the fluctuation of Hg&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; evasion was mainly attributed to wind speed in tropical sea areas, while in temperate zones were correlated with precipitation. Besides, air temperature variation seems to control the Hg&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; evasion in the sea areas of South Temperate Zone (STZ) as well as South Frigid Zone (SFZ). Furthermore, an evident &amp;#8220;seesaw&amp;#8221; effect of Hg&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; evasion anomaly was observed in equatorial Pacific, especially within Nino 3.4 and Nino 4, between El Ni&amp;#241;o(EN) and La Ni&amp;#241;a(LN) events. The increasing (decreasing) evasion anomaly in Nino 3.4 during the LN(EN) mainly attributed to the increase (decrease) of wind speed induced by stronger Walker circulation. While the increasing (decreasing) evasion anomaly in Nino 4 during EN(LN) was likely accounted for the rising (reducing) precipitation caused by the collapse of Walker circulation as well as the eastward shifting upward motion. Subsequently, the increasing anomaly of Hg&lt;sup&gt;0&lt;/sup&gt; evasion was simulated by GEOS-Chem model to further explore the potential impact. Results showed that countries, like American, China, India and Brazil. have occupied a large proportion of crops farming, but there spotted a relatively higher THg deposition anomalies, which might increase the human exposure to Hg. Finally, based on limited information, a hypothesis was put forward that there might be an indirect impact of ENSO-driven MeHg variation on the mass mortality of marine mammals.&lt;/p&gt;

Relative Contributions of Clouds and Aerosols to Surface Erythemal UV and Global Horizontal Irradiance in Korea

The attenuating effects of clouds and aerosols on global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and ultraviolet erythemal irradiance (UVER) were evaluated and compared using data from four sites in South Korea (Gangneung, Pohang, Mokpo, and Gosan) for the period 2005–2016. It was found that GHI and UVER are affected differently by various attenuating factors, resulting in an increase in the ratio of UVER to GHI with a decrease in the clearness index of GHI. A comparative analysis of the clearness indices of GHI and UVER identified an almost linear relationship between two transmittances by applying UVER with fixed slant ozone ( UVER 300 ) and there was a latitudinal difference in the relationship. Some nonlinearity remained in this relationship, which suggests a contribution by other factors such as clouds and aerosols. Variations of the UVER 300 ratio to GHI with cloud cover and aerosol optical depth were analyzed. The ratio increased with cloud cover and decreased with aerosol optical depth, indicating that clouds attenuate GHI more efficiently than UVER and that the attenuation by aerosols is greater for UVER than for GHI. A multiple linear regression analysis of the clearness indices of GHI and UVER 300 quantitively demonstrates differences in the radiation-reducing effects of clouds and aerosols, with some regional differences by site that can be attributed to local climatic characteristics in South Korea.

Young mums are rebuilding the spurdog stock (Squalus acanthias L.) in Norwegian waters

Based on a sampling programme of spurdog (Squalus acanthias) from Norwegian fishery landing sites during 2014–2018, the spatio-temporal distribution, size, sex, and age composition of this previously heavily overfished shark is described and compared to the situation before the stock collapsed. Among those spurdog large enough to be caught in the fisheries, all size groups, both sexes, and all maturity stages were present in the 3948 individuals examined from the landing sites. This shows that spurdog utilizes Norwegian coastal waters year-round and for their whole life cycle. The age composition was similar for males and females, and both were observed from age 3 up to the mid-30s. Age at 50% maturity was 9.5 years for females, and near-term females were mostly found during August–January without any clear latitudinal difference. The stock is largely dominated by younger age groups, and the mean age of late gravid females was 15 years, with an interquartile range of 12–16 years. This compares to a generation time of 25 years used elsewhere and is considered to be indicative of sound recruitment of a rebuilding stock. Analyses across age groups indicate that the recent rate of increase in year-class size for adult age groups is much larger than estimated in the assessments. Possible reasons for this and the need for further studies are discussed.

Spatially Explicit Assessment of Agricultural Water Equilibrium in the Korean Peninsula

In agriculture, balancing water use and retention is an issue dealt with in most regions and for many crops. In this study, we suggest agricultural water equilibrium (AWE) as a new concept that can facilitate a spatially explicit management of agricultural water. This concept is based on the principle of supply and demand of agricultural water, where the virtual water content of crops (VWC) can be defined as the demand, and cropland water budget (CWB) as the supply. For assessing the AWE of the Korean Peninsula, we quantified the CWB based on the hydrological cycle and the VWC of rice, a key crop in the Peninsula. Five factors, namely crop yield, growing season evapotranspiration, annual evapotranspiration, runoff, and annual precipitation, were used to assess the AWE, of which the first four were estimated using the spatially explicit large-scale crop model, Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (GEPIC). The CWB and VWC were calculated for a period of three decades, and the AWE was computed by deducting the VWC from the CWB. Our results show a latitudinal difference across the Korean Peninsula. On analyzing the AWE of the major river basins, we found most basins in North Korea showed very low values inferring unsustainable overconsumption of water. The latitudinal difference in AWE is a reflectance of the latitudinal changes in the VWC and CWB. This can be explained by decoupling the demand and supply of agricultural water. Although the AWE values presented in this study were not absolute, the values were sufficient to explain the latitudinal change, and the demand and supply of agricultural water, and establish the usefulness of the indicator.

Potential daylight resources between tropical and temperate cities – a case study of Ho Chi Minh City and Moscow

Horizontal illuminance is an important indicator, which shows the resources of the light climate of each region. Meticulous consideration of the light-climate data allows us to develop graphs of diffuse and global illuminance (ED and EG) and go to the territorial norms of daylight spaces at the modern level. Measurements of horizontal illuminance in Vietnam are not available; therefore, the calculation of the determination horizontal illuminance from solar radiation by light equivalents using the values of the luminous efficacy is widely used now. The paper contains calculation of the luminous efficacy for Vietnam, the results are graphs of horizontal illuminance for Ho Chi Minh. Comparative analysis with horizontal natural illuminance of Moscow shows a high level and uniform distribution of outdoor illuminance in the tropical sky in Vietnam. The maximum values of ED and EG for Ho Chi Minh City are 42.01 Klux and 87.17 Klux; for Moscow these values are equal to 28.3 Klux and 53.1 Klux, respectively. In addition, the levels of illuminance in the winter months in Ho Chi Minh are much higher than in Moscow, which is explained by the latitudinal difference in the location of these cities and the corresponding movement of the Sun.