Improved Simulation of Arctic Circumpolar Land Area Snow Properties and Soil Temperatures

The impact of high latitude climate warming on Arctic snow cover and its insulating properties has key implications for the surface and soil energy balance. Few studies have investigated specific trends in Arctic snowpack properties because there is a lack of long-term in situ observations and current detailed snow models fail to represent the main traits of Arctic snowpacks. This results in high uncertainty in modeling snow feedbacks on ground thermal regime due to induced changes in snow insulation. To better simulate Arctic snow structure and snow thermal properties, we implemented new parameterizations of several snow physical processes—including the effect of Arctic low vegetation and wind on snowpack—in the Crocus detailed snowpack model. Significant improvements compared to standard Crocus snow simulations and ERA-Interim (ERAi) reanalysis snow outputs were observed for a large set of in-situ snow data over Siberia and North America. Arctic Crocus simulations produced improved Arctic snow density profiles over the initial Crocus version, leading to a soil surface temperature bias of −0.5 K with RMSE of 2.5 K. We performed Crocus simulations over the past 39 years (1979–2018) for circumpolar taiga (open forest) and pan-Arctic areas at a resolution of 0.5°, driven by ERAi meteorological data. Snowpack properties over that period feature significant increase in spring snow bulk density (mainly in May and June), a downward trend in snow cover duration and an upward trend in wet snow (mainly in spring and fall). The pan-Arctic maximum snow water equivalent shows a decrease of −0.33 cm dec−1. With the ERAi air temperature trend of +0.84 K dec−1 featuring Arctic winter warming, these snow property changes have led to an upward trend in soil surface temperature (Tss) at a rate of +0.41 K dec−1 in winter. We show that the implemented snowpack property changes increased the Tss trend by 36% compared to the standard simulation. Winter induced changes in Tss led to a significant increase of 16% (+4 cm dec−1) in the estimated active layer thickness (ALT) over the past 39 years. An increase in ALT could have a significant impact on permafrost evolution, Arctic erosion and hydrology.

Autumnal Beach Litter Identification by Mean of Using Ground-Based IR Thermography

The progress of scientific research and technological innovation are contributing to an increase in the use of rapid systems for monitoring and identifying geo-environmental processes related to natural and/or anthropogenic activities. The aim of this study is identifying autumnal beach litter using ground-based IR thermography. Starting from quarterly autumn monitoring data of air temperature and sandy soil surface temperature, an empirical equation between the two environmental matrices (air and sandy soil) is obtained. This will allow the calculation of the sandy soil surface temperature knowing only the air temperature. Therefore, it will be possible to know in advance the thermal response of the sandy soil, thus creating a thermal blank of the beach. Using an IR thermal camera, it is possible for a quicker identification of thermal anomalies of the coastal area potentially connected to the presence of pollution due to the anthropogenic origin (particularly plastic material). The test area is located in the area of the Coastal Dunes Regional Natural Park of Ostuni–Fasano in Apulia (southern Italy).

Spatial analysis of toxoplasmosis through EcoHealth approaches using GRA-1 recombinant: case in Sleman, Yogyakarta

Toxoplasmosis is an obligate intracellular zoonotic parasite caused by Toxoplasma gondii that can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans. Prevalence of toxoplasmosis varies depending on climate, geography, and the presence of cats in an area. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and distribution of toxoplasmosis in Sleman, Yogyakarta through EcoHealth approaches. A total of 385 blood samples were collected from residents in the district of Sleman. Seven people from 55 villages were selected for blood sampling using a cluster method. The collected serums were tested by ELISA using recombinant Granule 1 protein (GRA-1) as coated antigen. Data on altitude and coordinates of sampling sites were collected using GPS. instruments, soil surface temperature in Sleman was obtained by satellite imagery, and cat population in residential areas was determined by questionnaire. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Sleman was 58%, of which distributed around rivers and in cattle pens. Based on altitude and temperature, toxoplasmosis cases were found the highest at 0-150 m (66.3%) and at temperatures of 26-30°C (66.4%). Areas with large numbers of cats had toxoplasmosis prevalence of 75.8% while areas with moderate and few cats were 56.5% and 49.0%, respectively. Thus, differences in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis at settlement were found based on altitude, soil surface temperature, and cat populations.

The effect of vegetal mulching on soil surface temperature in semiarid Brazil

Summary Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamic of soil temperature is crucial for agriculture, since it affects soil evaporation and soil biological activity, influencing seed germination, root growth and absorption of water and nutrients by crops, and ultimately the runoff process. Mulching is one of the most applied soil and water conservation method for soil moisture and soil temperature variations control. This study aimed to investigate the influence of three different mulch types (dried elephant grass straw, dried cashew tree leaves and coconut powder or coir dust), applied with three area densities (2, 4 and 8 t ha−1), on the soil surface temperature, under field conditions in the Brazilian semiarid region. Soil temperature monitoring was carried out using thermocouple sensors and an infrared camera in the Brazilian semiarid region. Results show that mulching provided a buffer zone, dampened soil temperature fluctuations over time, mainly for the 8 t ha−1 density. Mulching reduced soil temperature during the hotter period of the day and increased soil temperature during the night period.

Methodology Allying Standard Penetration Test and Era-Interim Data Set for Numerical Simulations of Earth-Air Heat Exchangers

Earth-Air Heat Exchangers are devices installed on buildings to reduce electrical energy consumption with air conditioner systems. They consist of buried ducts where the air is blown and induces heat exchange with the surrounding soil. Aiming to develop a consistent numerical simulation approach to study its behavior, this research allies the usage of Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Era-Interim as part of the computational methodology. The results indicate that the proposed methodology can be adequately adopted, allowing the soil properties assignment from SPT reports, the prescription of inlet air temperature, and soil surface temperature from ERA/Interim data.

Effect of Biochar on Soil Temperature under High Soil Surface Temperature in Coal Mined Arid and Semiarid Regions

High soil surface temperature and loosened soil are major limiting factors of plant productivity in arid and semi-arid coal mining areas of China. Moreover, the extensive and illegitimate burning of crop residues is causing environmental pollution; whereas, these residues could be converted to biochar to benefit soil quality. In this study, the effect of wheat straw biochar (WSB) at rates of 0% (control, CK), 1% (low, LB), 2% (medium, MB) and 4% (high, HB) on soil temperature at different depths (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm) and moisture levels (10 and 20%) was investigated under high soil surface temperature of 50 °C and air humidity of 40%. Our data suggested that soil bulk density was inversely, and soil moisture was directly corelated with soil thermal parameters. Moreover, the increasing rate of WSB addition linearly decreased the soil thermal properties. The maximum decrease in soil bulk density at both moisture levels (10% and 20%) was measured in HB treatment compared to respective CKs. The highest decrease in soil thermal conductivity (59.8% and 24.7%) was found under HB treatment in comparison to respective controls (CK10% and CK20% moisture). The soil volumetric heat capacity was also strongly corelated with soil moisture content (r = 0.91). The WSB treatments displayed differential responses to soil temperature. Under 10% soil moisture, temperature of LB, MB and HB treatments was higher as compared to CK at 5–20 cm depth, and MB treated soil had the smallest increase in temperature. At the 15-cm depth, the MB treatment decreased the temperature by 0.93 °C as compared to the CK20%. Therefore, the effect of WSB on soil temperature was influenced by soil moisture content, soil depth and WSB application rates. It suggested that MB treatment could be a useful farming practice for mitigating soil temperature fluctuation.