Journal Description
Atmosphere
Atmosphere
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of scientific studies related to the atmosphere published monthly online by MDPI. The Italian Aerosol Society (IAS) and Working Group of Air Quality in European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) are affiliated with Atmosphere and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, GEOBASE, GeoRef, Inspec, CAPlus / SciFinder, Astrophysics Data System, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Environmental Science (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about the Atmosphere.
- Companion journal: Meteorology.
Impact Factor:
2.9 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.0 (2022)
Latest Articles
Contribution of Atmospheric Factors in Predicting Sea Surface Temperature in the East China Sea Using the Random Forest and SA-ConvLSTM Model
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060670 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Atmospheric forcings are significant physical factors that influence the variation of sea surface temperature (SST) and are often used as essential input variables for ocean numerical models. However, their contribution to the prediction of SST based on machine-learning methods still needs to be
[...] Read more.
Atmospheric forcings are significant physical factors that influence the variation of sea surface temperature (SST) and are often used as essential input variables for ocean numerical models. However, their contribution to the prediction of SST based on machine-learning methods still needs to be tested. This study presents a prediction model for SST in the East China Sea (ECS) using two machine-learning methods: Random Forest and SA-ConvLSTM algorithms. According to the Random Forest feature importance scores and correlation coefficients R, 2 m air temperature and longwave radiation were selected as the two most important key atmospheric factors that can affect the SST prediction performance of machine-learning methods. Four datasets were constructed as input to SA-ConvLSTM: SST-only, SST-T2m, SST-LWR, and SST-T2m-LWR. Using the SST-T2m and SST-LWR, the prediction skill of the model can be improved by about 9.9% and 9.43% for the RMSE and by about 8.97% and 8.21% for the MAE, respectively. Using the SST-T2m-LWR dataset, the model’s prediction skill can be improved by 10.75% for RMSE and 9.06% for MAE. The SA-ConvLSTM can represent the SST in ECS well, but with the highest RMSE and AE in summer. The findings of the presented study requires much more exploration in future studies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ocean–Atmosphere–Land Interactions and Their Roles in Climate Change)
►
Show Figures
Open AccessArticle
Experimental Research on Regulated and Unregulated Emissions from E20-Fuelled Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles
by
Tao Qiu, Yakun Zhao, Yan Lei, Zexun Chen, Dongdong Guo, Fulu Shi and Tao Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060669 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Ethanol as a renewable fuel has been applied in fuel vehicles (FVs), and it is promising in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This work aims to investigate the emission characteristics of ethanol applied in both FVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The paper
[...] Read more.
Ethanol as a renewable fuel has been applied in fuel vehicles (FVs), and it is promising in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This work aims to investigate the emission characteristics of ethanol applied in both FVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The paper conducted a real-road test of an internal combustion FV and PHEV, respectively, based on the world light vehicle test cycle (WLTC) by using gasoline and regular gasoline under different temperature conditions. The use of E10 and E20 in FVs has been effective in reducing the conventional emissions of the vehicles. At 23 °C, E10 and E20 reduced the conventional emissions including carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbon compound (THC), non-methane hydrocarbon compound (NMHC), particulate matter (PM), and particulate number (PN) by 15.40–31.11% and 11.00–44.13% respectively. At 6 °C, E10 and E20 reduced conventional emissions including THC, CO, and PM by 2.15–8.61% and 11.02–13.34%, respectively. However, nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions increased to varying degrees. The reduction trend of non-conventional emissions including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from FVs fueled with E10 and E20 is not significant for vehicles. Overall, the emission reduction effect of E20 is better than that of E10, and the emission reduction effect of ethanol gasoline on vehicle emissions is reduced at low temperatures. Lower ambient temperatures increase vehicle emissions in the low-speed segment but decrease vehicle emissions in the ultra-high-speed segment. HEV emissions of THC, CO, PN, and PM are reduced by 25.28%, 12.72%, 77.34%, and 64.59%, respectively, for E20 compared to gasoline, and the use of E20 in HEVs contributes to the reduction of overall vehicle emissions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engine Emissions: Assessment and Control)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Interannual Variability of Water and Heat Fluxes in a Woodland Savanna (Cerrado) in Southeastern Brazil: Effects of Severe Drought and Soil Moisture
by
Lucas F. C. da Conceição, Humberto R. da Rocha, Nelson V. Navarrete, Rafael Rosolem, Osvaldo M. R. Cabral and Helber C. de Freitas
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060668 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The Brazilian Cerrado biome is known for its high biodiversity, and the role of groundwater recharge and climate regulation. Anthropogenic influence has harmed the biome, emphasizing the need for science to understand its response to climate and reconcile economic exploration with preservation. Our
[...] Read more.
The Brazilian Cerrado biome is known for its high biodiversity, and the role of groundwater recharge and climate regulation. Anthropogenic influence has harmed the biome, emphasizing the need for science to understand its response to climate and reconcile economic exploration with preservation. Our work aimed to evaluate the seasonal and interannual variability of the surface energy balance in a woodland savanna (Cerrado) ecosystem in southeastern Brazil over a period of 19 years, from 2001 to 2019. Using field micrometeorological measurements, we examined the variation in soil moisture and studied its impact on the temporal pattern of energy fluxes to distinguish the effects during rainy years compared to a severe drought spell. The soil moisture measures used two independent instruments, cosmic ray neutron sensor CRNS, and FDR at different depths. The measures were taken at the Pé de Gigante (PEG) site, in a region of well-defined seasonality with the dry season in winter and a hot/humid season in summer. We gap-filled the energy flux measurements with a calibrated biophysical model (SiB2). The long-term averages for air temperature and precipitation were 22.5 °C and 1309 mm/year, respectively. The net radiation (Rn) was 142 W/m2, the evapotranspiration (ET) and sensible heat flux (H) were 3.4 mm/d and 52 W/m2, respectively. Soil moisture was marked by a pronounced negative anomaly in the 2014 year, which caused an increase in the Bowen ratio and a decrease in Evaporative fraction, that lasted until the following year 2015 during the dry season, despite the severe meteorological drought of 2013/2014 already ending, which was corroborated by the two independent measurements. The results showed the remarkable influence of precipitation and soil moisture on the interannual variability of the energy balance in this Cerrado ecosystem, aiding in understanding how it responds to strong climate disturbances.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land-Atmosphere Interactions)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Assessment of Satellite Products in Estimating Tropical Cyclone Remote Precipitation over the Yangtze River Delta Region
by
Xinyue Wu, Yebing Liu, Shulan Liu, Yubing Jin and Huiyan Xu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060667 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Satellite products have shown great potential in estimating torrential rainfall due to their wide and consistent global coverage. This study assessed the monitoring capabilities of satellite products for the tropical cyclone remote precipitation (TRP) over the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) associated with
[...] Read more.
Satellite products have shown great potential in estimating torrential rainfall due to their wide and consistent global coverage. This study assessed the monitoring capabilities of satellite products for the tropical cyclone remote precipitation (TRP) over the Yangtze River Delta region (YRDR) associated with severe typhoon Khanun (2017) and super-typhoon Mangkhut (2018). The satellite products include the CPC MORPHing technique (CMORPH) data, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 3B42 Version 7 (TRMM 3B42), and Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM IMERG). Eight precision evaluation indexes and statistical methods were used to analyze and evaluate the monitoring capabilities of CMORPH, TRMM 3B42, and GPM IMERG satellite precipitation products. The results indicated that the monitoring capability of TRMM satellite precipitation products was superior in capturing the spatial distribution, and GPM products captured the temporal distributions and different category precipitation observed from gauge stations. In contrast, the CMORPH products performed moderately during two heavy rainfall events, often underestimating or overestimating precipitation amounts and inaccurately detecting precipitation peaks. Overall, the three satellite precipitation products showed low POD, high FAR, low TS, and high FBIAS for heavy rainfall events, and the differences in monitoring torrential TRP may be related to satellite retrieval algorithms.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Severe Weather: Evolution, Prediction, and Risk Reduction)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Ocean Surface Warming and Long-Term Variability in Rainfall in Equatorial Pacific Atolls
by
Ian White, Tony Falkland and Farran Redfern
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 666; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060666 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Freshwater availability in Pacific equatorial atolls is highly variable because of the influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on rainfall. IPCC projections for the central and western tropical Pacific suggest annual rainfall (Pa) will increase as sea surface temperature (SST) rises.
[...] Read more.
Freshwater availability in Pacific equatorial atolls is highly variable because of the influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on rainfall. IPCC projections for the central and western tropical Pacific suggest annual rainfall (Pa) will increase as sea surface temperature (SST) rises. Future changes in ENSO frequency and intensity and in hydrological droughts, however, are uncertain. Here, trends in monthly, seasonal, annual, annual maximum, and minimum rainfall in two equatorial atolls in the eastern and central tropical Pacific are compared with trends in the SST of the surrounding Nino regions from 1951 to 2023. Significant increasing trends in the warm season, annual, and annual maximum SST in the Nino1 + 2, Nino3, and Nino4 regions were of order +1.0 °C/100 y. There were no significant trends in the cool season or annual minimum SST. Despite ocean warming, there were no significant trends in atoll Pa, in intra-annual or interannual variability over 7 decades for either SST or Pa, or in the relative strengths of warm/cool and wet/dry seasons. Extreme, large Pa only occurred after 1987, indicative of ocean warming. Extreme, small Pa happened throughout the period, suggesting no change in drought frequency. Correlations between 12-month P and SST were very strong, with historic rates of increases in Pa of around 1200 mm/y/°C, consistent with projections. The results indicate that the recharge of atoll groundwater will increase as oceans warm, but droughts will remain a major challenge.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Emission Factors of Tyre Wear Particles Emitted by Light Road Vehicles in Real Driving Conditions: A New Challenge for Clean Road Transport to Improve Urban Air Quality
by
Salah Khardi
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060665 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Non-exhaust road transport emissions in cities contribute to poor air quality and have an impact on human health. This paper presents a new study of particles emitted by tyre wear in real driving conditions and gives their emission factors. The most frequently emitted
[...] Read more.
Non-exhaust road transport emissions in cities contribute to poor air quality and have an impact on human health. This paper presents a new study of particles emitted by tyre wear in real driving conditions and gives their emission factors. The most frequently emitted particles were collected in urban, suburban and road areas. They were identified and analysed physically and chemically. Their level of toxicity is well known. An overall analysis of the measured pollutants was carried out to assess their emission factors in real driving situations. The highest emitting pollutants, considered separately, were found to have high emission factors. The values obtained exceed the Euro standard for vehicles but are below those of vehicles not equipped with particle filters. Significant test analysis confirmed that the inertia of chemical pollutants is homogeneous. Emission factors have also been provided for PM10 and PM2.5. These results should contribute to the emergence of future regulations of non-exhaust emissions and should help to analyse the exposure-impact relationship for particles from tyre wear.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Prospects for Air Quality Management in the 21st Century)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Spatiotemporal Exposure Assessment of PM2.5 Concentration Using a Sensor-Based Air Monitoring System
by
Jihun Shin, Jaemin Woo, Youngtae Choe, Gihong Min, Dongjun Kim, Daehwan Kim, Sanghoon Lee and Wonho Yang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060664 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Sensor-based air monitoring instruments (SAMIs) can provide high-resolution air quality data by offering a detailed mapping of areas that air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) cannot reach. This enhances the precision of estimating PM2.5 concentration levels for areas that have not been directly
[...] Read more.
Sensor-based air monitoring instruments (SAMIs) can provide high-resolution air quality data by offering a detailed mapping of areas that air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) cannot reach. This enhances the precision of estimating PM2.5 concentration levels for areas that have not been directly measured, thereby enabling an accurate assessment of exposure. The study period was from 30 September to 2 October 2019 in the Guro-gu district, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Four models were applied to assess the suitability of the SAMIs and visualize the temporal and spatial distribution of PM2.5. Assuming that the PM2.5 concentrations measured at a SAMI located in the center of the Guro-gu district represent the true values, the PM2.5 concentrations estimated using QGIS spatial interpolation techniques were compared. The SAMIs were used at seven points (S1–S7) according to the distance. Models 3 and 4 accurately estimated the unmeasured points with higher coefficients of determination (R2) than the other models. As the distance from the AQMS increased from S1 to S7, the R2 between the observed and estimated values decreased from 0.89 to 0.29, respectively. The auxiliary installation of SAMIs could resolve regional concentration imbalances, allowing for the accurate estimation of pollutant concentrations and improved risk assessment for the population.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Exposure and Health Impact Assessment (2nd Edition))
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Advanced Understanding of Sea Surface Cooling Off Northeastern Taiwan to Tropical Cyclone by Using Numerical Modeling
by
Hsin-Ju Wu and Zhe-Wen Zheng
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060663 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
From 2001 to 2020, three typhoons with similar moving paths and intensities were found to trigger markedly different cooling off northeastern Taiwan. They were typhoons Utor (2001), Nuri (2008), and Hagupit (2008), which led to maximum sea surface temperature (SST) cooling temperatures of
[...] Read more.
From 2001 to 2020, three typhoons with similar moving paths and intensities were found to trigger markedly different cooling off northeastern Taiwan. They were typhoons Utor (2001), Nuri (2008), and Hagupit (2008), which led to maximum sea surface temperature (SST) cooling temperatures of 8.8, 2.7, and 1.4 °C, respectively. The drastic cooling discrepancy implies that the existing understanding of the key mechanism leading to the cooling off northeastern Taiwan could be insufficient. For further exploring the key reason(s) contributing to the marked discrepancy, a regional oceanic modeling system (ROMS) was used to reconstruct the background oceanic environment corresponding to three typhoon passages. Results show that the wide radius of maximum winds of typhoon Utor contributes to the strongest SST cooling by enhancing the Kuroshio intrusion (KI) onto the shelf northeast of Taiwan. Heat budget diagnostics explain why including tidal forcing can substantially promote SST cooling. The process was associated mainly with a stronger vertical advection tied to the influence of de-stratification by tidal mixing. Finally, warmer Taiwan Strait currents, driven by wind forcing the typhoons to pass zonally through the north South China Sea, intruded clockwise into the Longdong coast and accelerated the recovery of sea surface cooling around Longdong.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Impact Weather Events: Dynamics, Variability and Predictability)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Assessing the Accuracy of 50 Temperature-Based Models for Estimating Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) in a Mediterranean Mountainous Forest Environment
by
Nikolaos D. Proutsos, Mariangela N. Fotelli, Stefanos P. Stefanidis and Dimitris Tigkas
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060662 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is a crucial parameter for forest development, having an important role in ecological, biometeorological, and hydrological assessments. Accurate estimations of PET using the FAO–56 Penman–Monteith (FAO–56 PM) benchmark method require a wide range of data parameters, which are not typically
[...] Read more.
Potential evapotranspiration (PET) is a crucial parameter for forest development, having an important role in ecological, biometeorological, and hydrological assessments. Accurate estimations of PET using the FAO–56 Penman–Monteith (FAO–56 PM) benchmark method require a wide range of data parameters, which are not typically available at meteorological stations installed in forest environments. The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of various methods with low data requirements for assessing PET in a Mediterranean forest environment and propose appropriate alternatives for accurate PET estimation. Specifically, 50 temperature-based methods were evaluated against the FAO–56 PM method in a sub-humid forest in northern Greece, using high-quality daily meteorological data. The outcomes indicate that temperature-based methods offer a viable alternative for PET estimation when data availability is limited, with a considerable number of methods (22) presenting low deviations (up to 10%) compared to the benchmark method. Temperature-based models outperformed those incorporating water-related parameters (as relative humidity or precipitation) in Mediterranean forest environments. The top performing methods in the study site, based on several statistical indices, were the equations of Ravazzani et al., proposed in 2012, followed by Hargreaves–Samani in 1985 and Heydari and Heydari in 2014.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)
Open AccessArticle
Five Large 13th Century C.E. Volcanic Eruptions Recorded in Antarctica Ice Cores
by
Jihong Cole-Dai, Derek L. Brandis and Dave G. Ferris
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060661 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Major explosive volcanic eruptions impact the climate by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere and through feedback mechanisms in the climate system. The extent of the impact depends on the magnitude (aerosol mass loading) and the number or frequency of such eruptions.
[...] Read more.
Major explosive volcanic eruptions impact the climate by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere and through feedback mechanisms in the climate system. The extent of the impact depends on the magnitude (aerosol mass loading) and the number or frequency of such eruptions. Multiple Antarctica ice core records of past volcanic eruptions reveal that the number (5) of major eruptions (volcanic sulfate deposition flux greater than 10 kg km−2) was the highest in the 13th century over the last two millennia. Signals of four of the five eruptions are dated to the second half of the century, indicating consecutive major eruptions capable of causing sustained climate impact via known feedback processes. The fact that signals of four corresponding eruptions have been found in a Greenland ice core indicates that four of the five 13th century eruptions were probably by volcanoes in the low latitudes (between 20° N and 20° S) with substantial aerosol mass loading. These eruptions in the low latitudes likely exerted the strongest volcanic impact on climate in the last two millennia.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on the Atmosphere)
Open AccessArticle
Seasonal Cycle of Southern Hemisphere Explosive Growth and Decay of Storms
by
Stacey L. Osbrough and Jorgen S. Frederiksen
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060660 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The seasonal variability of Southern Hemisphere (SH) synoptic-scale weather systems is analysed for the 20-year timespan 1997 to 2016. The relationships between the SH jet streams and storm tracks based on lower tropospheric circulation anomalies filtered into the high-pass (periods < 4 days)
[...] Read more.
The seasonal variability of Southern Hemisphere (SH) synoptic-scale weather systems is analysed for the 20-year timespan 1997 to 2016. The relationships between the SH jet streams and storm tracks based on lower tropospheric circulation anomalies filtered into the high-pass (periods < 4 days) and band-pass (periods between 4 and 8 days) types are examined based on 6-hourly reanalysis data. Leading Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) and storm tracks based on all (growing and decaying) disturbances are determined. As well, the structure and standard deviations of streamfunction fluctuations are determined separately in three growth rate and three decay rate bins focusing on explosive growth and decay. In all cases, and in each season, the band-pass storm tracks are more zonally symmetric than the high-pass standard deviations and this is also reflected by the EOFs. Leading EOFs in both bands are monopole wavetrains of highs and lows located in the storm tracks with some band-pass disturbances having dipole structures consistent with blocking and northwest cloud bands. EOFs based on the bin with slow-growing fluctuations are structurally similar to the standard EOFs based on all disturbances. EOFs for moderately and explosively growing disturbances are increasingly displaced equatorward with a larger growth rate.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climatology)
Open AccessArticle
Assessing the Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Urban Plantation: A Case Study Conducted along High-Traffic Roadways
by
Zunaira Asif and Wen Ma
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060659 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Road transport and traffic congestion significantly contribute to dust pollution, which negatively impacts the growth of roadside plants in urban areas. This study aims to quantify the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and analyze the impacts of dust deposition on different plant species
[...] Read more.
Road transport and traffic congestion significantly contribute to dust pollution, which negatively impacts the growth of roadside plants in urban areas. This study aims to quantify the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and analyze the impacts of dust deposition on different plant species and trees planted along a busy urban roadside in Lahore, Pakistan by considering seasonal variations. The APTI of each species is determined based on inputs of various biochemical parameters (leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid content, relative water content, and total chlorophyll levels), including dust deposition. In this study, laboratory analysis techniques are employed to assess these factors in selected plant species such as Mangifera indica, Saraca asoca, Cassia fistula, and Syzygium cumini. A statistical analysis is conducted to understand the pairwise correlation between various parameters and the APTI at significant and non-significant levels. Additionally, uncertainties in the inputs and APTI are addressed through a probabilistic analysis using the Monte Carlo simulation method. This study unveils seasonal variations in key parameters among selected plant species. Almost all biochemical parameters exhibit higher averages during the rainy season, followed by the summer and winter. Conversely, dust deposition on plants follows an inverse trend, with values ranging from 0.19 to 4.8 g/cm2, peaking during winter, notably in Mangifera indica. APTI values, ranging from 9.39 to 14.75, indicate varying sensitivity levels across species, from sensitive (Syzygium cumini) to intermediate tolerance (Mangifera indica). Interestingly, plants display increased tolerance during regular traffic hours, reflecting a 0.9 to 5% difference between the APTI at peak and regular traffic hours. Moreover, a significant negative correlation (−0.86 at p < 0.05 level) between APTI values and dust deposition suggests a heightened sensitivity to pollutants during the winter. These insights into the relationship between dust pollution and plant susceptibility will help decision makers in the selection of resilient plants for urban areas and improve air quality.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution in Asia)
Open AccessArticle
Simulation and Diagnosis of Physical Precipitation Process of Local Severe Convective Rainstorm in Ningbo
by
Tingting Lu, Yeyi Ding, Zan Liu, Fan Wu, Guoqiang Xue, Chengming Zhang and Yuan Fu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060658 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
On 31 July 2021, Ningbo, an eastern coast city in China, experienced a severe convective rainstorm, characterized by intense short-duration precipitation extremes with a maximum rainfall rate of 130 mm h−1. In this research, we first analyzed this rainstorm using Doppler
[...] Read more.
On 31 July 2021, Ningbo, an eastern coast city in China, experienced a severe convective rainstorm, characterized by intense short-duration precipitation extremes with a maximum rainfall rate of 130 mm h−1. In this research, we first analyzed this rainstorm using Doppler radar and precipitation observation and then conducted high-resolution simulation for it. A three-dimensional precipitation diagnostic equation is introduced to quantitatively analyze the microphysical processes during the rainstorm. It is shown that this rainstorm was triggered and developed locally in central Ningbo under favorable large-scale quasi-geostrophic conditions and local conditions. In the early stage, the precipitation increase is mainly driven by the strong convergence of water vapor, and a noticeable increase in both the intensity and spatial extent of uplift promotes the upward transportation of water vapor. As the water vapor flux and associated convergence weaken in the later stage, the precipitation reduces accordingly. Cloud microphysical processes are also important in the entire precipitation process. The early stage updraft supports the escalations in raindrops, with the notable fluctuations in raindrop concentrations directly linked to variations in ground precipitation intensity. The behavior of graupel particles is intricately connected to their melting as they fall below the zero-degree layer. Although cloud water and snow exhibit changes during this period, the magnitudes of these adjustments are considerably less pronounced than those in raindrops and graupels, highlighting the differentiated response of various condensates to the convective dynamics. These results can help deepen the understanding of local severe rainstorms and provide valuable scientific references for practical forecasting.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characteristics of Extreme Climate Events over China)
Open AccessArticle
Agroclimatic Indicators for Grapevines in the Zielona Góra Wine Region (Poland) in the Era of Advancing Global Warming
by
Dominika Jaster, Arkadiusz Marek Tomczyk, Iwona Hildebrandt-Radke and Paweł Matulewski
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060657 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Grapevine is a highly climate-sensitive plant. In the last few decades, an increase in the number and area of vineyards has been observed in the country, with the Zielona Góra region pioneering this revival. A comprehensive analysis of climatic and agroclimatic indicators for
[...] Read more.
Grapevine is a highly climate-sensitive plant. In the last few decades, an increase in the number and area of vineyards has been observed in the country, with the Zielona Góra region pioneering this revival. A comprehensive analysis of climatic and agroclimatic indicators for grapevines was conducted to assess the possibilities and limitations in this region. Based on data obtained from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management—National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) for stations in Zielona Góra, nine key indicators were identified. The analysis of agroclimatic conditions for the Zielona Góra winegrowing region from 1951 to 2022 revealed significant changes in air temperature, length of the vegetative period, and number of frosts. The average annual air temperature increased, while the number of days with temperatures below 8 °C decreased. The extension of the vegetative period (starting earlier and ending later) favours grapevine cultivation. The increase in temperature during the vegetative period and the lengthening of the frost-free period have a beneficial effect on grape production in the Zielona Góra region.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biometeorology)
Open AccessArticle
Wind Tunnel Evaluation of Plant Protection Products Drift Using an Integrated Chemical–Physical Approach
by
Lorenzo Becce, Giovanna Mazzi, Ayesha Ali, Mara Bortolini, Elena Gregoris, Matteo Feltracco, Elena Barbaro, Daniele Contini, Fabrizio Mazzetto and Andrea Gambaro
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060656 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The use of plant protection products (PPPs) has become fundamental to guarantee excellent field productivity. Nevertheless, their usage presents critical issues, such as the quantity of substances used, the relative toxicity, and the contamination of nearby fields caused by atmospheric drift. This study
[...] Read more.
The use of plant protection products (PPPs) has become fundamental to guarantee excellent field productivity. Nevertheless, their usage presents critical issues, such as the quantity of substances used, the relative toxicity, and the contamination of nearby fields caused by atmospheric drift. This study focuses on the characterization of aerosol droplets of PPPs produced by spraying a chemical marker, fluorescein, with an orchard airblast sprayer equipped with conventional hollow cone (HC) and anti-drift air inclusion (AI) nozzles, using a wind tunnel as a controlled environment. A particle/droplet image analysis was employed to study the droplet production of the nozzles, while a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis allowed us to evaluate samples collected using a cascade impactor located at 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m from the emission point. Overall, HC nozzles are very accurate at producing specific drop size distributions (DSDs), while AI nozzles produce a much wider DSD, concentrating the largest part of the distributed volume into droplets of a larger size. The marker concentration was much lower for the AI nozzles compared to the HC nozzles; moreover, the two nozzles show a similar trend in the coarse droplet range, while significantly differing in the fine droplet spectrum.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characteristics and Control of Particulate Matter)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Potential Strengthening of the Madden–Julian Oscillation Modulation of Tropical Cyclogenesis
by
Patrick Haertel and Yu Liang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060655 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
A typical Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) generates a large region of enhanced rainfall over the equatorial Indian Ocean that moves slowly eastward into the western Pacific. Tropical cyclones often form on the poleward edges of the MJO moist-convective envelope, frequently impacting both southeast Asia
[...] Read more.
A typical Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) generates a large region of enhanced rainfall over the equatorial Indian Ocean that moves slowly eastward into the western Pacific. Tropical cyclones often form on the poleward edges of the MJO moist-convective envelope, frequently impacting both southeast Asia and northern Australia, and on occasion Eastern Africa. This paper addresses the question of whether these MJO-induced tropical cyclones will become more numerous in the future as the oceans warm. The Lagrangian Atmosphere Model (LAM), which has been carefully tuned to simulate realistic MJO circulations, is used to study the sensitivity of MJO modulation of tropical cyclogenesis (TCG) to global warming. A control simulation for the current climate is compared with a simulation with enhanced radiative forcing consistent with that for the latter part of the 21st century under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 585. The LAM control run reproduces the observed MJO modulation of TCG, with about 70 percent more storms forming than monthly climatology predicts within the MJO’s convective envelope. The LAM SSP585 run suggests that TCG enhancement within the convective envelope could reach 170 percent of the background value under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario, owing to a strengthening of Kelvin and Rossby wave components of the MJO’s circulation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Complexity and Nonlinear Dependence of Ionospheric Electron Content and Doppler Frequency Shifts in Propagating HF Radio Signals within Equatorial Regions
by
Aderonke Akerele, Babatunde Rabiu, Samuel Ogunjo, Daniel Okoh, Anton Kascheyev, Bruno Nava, Olawale Bolaji, Ibiyinka Fuwape, Elijah Oyeyemi, Busola Olugbon, Jacob Akinpelu and Olumide Ajani
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060654 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
The abundance of ions within the ionosphere makes it an important region for both long range and satellite communication systems. However, characterizing the complexity in the ionosphere within the equatorial region of Abuja, with geographic coordinates of 8.99° N and 7.39° E and
[...] Read more.
The abundance of ions within the ionosphere makes it an important region for both long range and satellite communication systems. However, characterizing the complexity in the ionosphere within the equatorial region of Abuja, with geographic coordinates of 8.99° N and 7.39° E and a geomagnetic latitude of −1.60, and Lagos, with geographic coordinates of 3.27° E and 6.48° N and a dip latitude of −1.72°, is a challenging and daunting task due to the intrinsic and external forces involved. In this study, chaos theory was applied on data from both an HF Doppler sounding system and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for the characterization of the ionosphere over these two tropical locations during 2020–2021 with respect to the quality of high-frequency radio signals between the two locations. Our results suggest that the ionosphere at the two locations is chaotic, with its largest Lyapunov exponent values being greater than 0 ( ) and its correlation dimension being in the range of . Furthermore, it was revealed that there exists a negative correlation between the state of the ionosphere and signal quality at the two locations. Using transfer entropy, it was confirmed that the ionosphere interfered more with signals during 2020, a year of lower solar activity (sunspot number, 8.8) compared to 2021 (sunspot number, 29.6). On a monthly scale, the influence of the ionosphere on signal quality was found to be complicated. The results obtained in this study will be useful in communication systems design, modelling, and prediction.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Variability and Predictability of Space Weather and the Ionosphere: Recent Advances)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessPerspective
Accelerating the Low-Carbon Energy Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa through Floating Photovoltaic Solar Farms
by
Tarelayefa Igedibor Ingo, Louis Gyoh, Yong Sheng, Mustafa Kemal Kaymak, Ahmet Duran Şahin and Hamid M. Pouran
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060653 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Climate change has become a global issue and is predicted to impact less-developed regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, severely. Innovative, sustainable renewable energy systems are essential to mitigate climate change’s effects and unlock the region’s potential, especially with the increasing energy demands and
[...] Read more.
Climate change has become a global issue and is predicted to impact less-developed regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, severely. Innovative, sustainable renewable energy systems are essential to mitigate climate change’s effects and unlock the region’s potential, especially with the increasing energy demands and population growth. The region relies heavily on fossil fuels, which calls for urgent action towards energy security and expansion. Hybrid floating solar photovoltaic-hydropower (FPV-HEP) technology has emerged as a cost-effective and transformative solution to accelerate the low-carbon energy transition in sub-Saharan Africa. The technology combines solar panels with existing hydropower infrastructure, ensuring energy security while reducing carbon emissions. This technology offers several benefits over conventional ground-mounted solar systems, including efficient land utilization, energy generation, and water conservation. However, its adoption remains challenging due to technical complexities and evolving regulatory frameworks. Despite these challenges, Nigerian energy professionals have preferred renewable alternatives, mainly distributed solar PV and FPV-HEP plants. This collective embrace of FPV and renewables reflects a growing understanding of their critical role in mitigating climate change through sustainable energy practices. This research aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge and assist policymakers in making informed decisions on adopting this technology. It also stimulates further research on this topic, offering a new potential solution to the ever-increasing demand for green energy in the region to meet their sustainable development needs.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and the Potential Impacts on Wind/Solar Power Systems)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Long-Term Changes in the Permafrost Temperature and Surface Frost Number in Northeast China
by
Wei Shan, Lisha Qiu, Ying Guo, Chengcheng Zhang and Shuai Liu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060652 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The permafrost in Northeast China is experiencing rapid degradation due to the influence of climate change and human activities, profoundly impacting the local ecological environment and engineering construction. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of long-term permafrost in this region is crucial; however, systematic research
[...] Read more.
The permafrost in Northeast China is experiencing rapid degradation due to the influence of climate change and human activities, profoundly impacting the local ecological environment and engineering construction. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of long-term permafrost in this region is crucial; however, systematic research on this topic remains scarce. This study combines meteorological station data, MODIS land surface temperature (LST) datasets, and borehole locations to apply the surface frost number (SFn) model. This approach enables the simulation and estimation of the spatial distribution and changes in the area of the surface frost number without vegetation effects (SFnv) and permafrost temperature (PT) in Northeast China from 1971 to 2020. The area of the SFnv > 0.49 within the permafrost region decreased substantially from approximately 44.353 × 104 km2 to 19.909 × 104 km2 between 1971 and 2020, with a notable change in 1988. The area of permafrost calculated using PT < 0 was slightly smaller, declining from 39.388 × 104 km2 to 29.852 × 104 km2. There was also a significant increase in the area with PT ranging from −1 °C to 0 °C, indicating a decline in permafrost stability. Approximately 10.926 × 104 km2 of stable permafrost has been transformed into semi-stable and unstable permafrost. Moreover, from 1982 to 2020, the NDVI was negatively correlated with the area of stable permafrost and positively correlated with the area of transitional or unstable permafrost. Vegetation cover decreased as transitional or unstable permafrost degraded. These findings provide valuable information for permafrost research and engineering development in cold regions, as well as for future planning and adaptation strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)
Open AccessArticle
Emission Pattern of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds from Wetland Vegetation
by
Wenbin Chen, Luxi Wang, Ju Wu, Xiaoxiu Lun, Xiaoyue Wang and Xiaoyi Li
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060651 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) significantly contribute to atmospheric chemistry at both regional and global scales. The composition and intensity of BVOC emissions vary significantly among different plant species. Previous studies have focused on BVOC emissions from tree species, but the results of
[...] Read more.
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) significantly contribute to atmospheric chemistry at both regional and global scales. The composition and intensity of BVOC emissions vary significantly among different plant species. Previous studies have focused on BVOC emissions from tree species, but the results of research on BVOC emissions from wetland plants are still limited. Therefore, in this study, BVOCs emitted by three aquatic plants (Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, and Iris pseudacorus) were sampled and analyzed using a dynamic headspace technique combined with GC-MS at daily scales. The diurnal observation data showed that the total BVOC emission rates of the three plants peaked with the increase in environmental factors (temperature, PAR, and water temperature). P. australis was the only of the three plants that emitted isoprene with a high rate of 48.34 μg·g−1Dw·h−1. Moreover, the peak emission rates of total BVOC (78.45 μg·g−1Dw·h−1) in P. australis were higher than most tree species. The emissions rates of volatile organic compounds, including monoterpenes, oxygenated volatile organic compounds, alkanes, and other volatile organic compounds, were statistically correlated across all species. The emission rates of isoprene from P. australis had significant associations with intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) (0.58, p < 0.05) and transpiration rate (Tr) (−0.63, p < 0.01). The emission rates of monoterpenes from P. australis were found to have a significantly positive correlation with the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) (0.58, p < 0.05) while T. angustifolia (−0.59, p < 0.05) and I. pseudacorus (−0.47, p < 0.05) showed the opposite trend. Such findings hold significance for the refinement of localized emission inventories and the development of comprehensive emission process models in future research, as BVOC emissions from wetland plants were reported here for the first time.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Vegetation in Urban Air Quality)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- Atmosphere Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topical Advisory Panel
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Topics
- Sections & Collections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor’s Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Editorial Office
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserHighly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Atmosphere, Climate, Remote Sensing, Sensors, Water
Applications of Geodesy in Meteorological, Hydrological and Climatic Environments
Topic Editors: Peng Yuan, Vagner Ferreira, Balaji Devaraju, Liangke HuangDeadline: 31 May 2024
Topic in
Atmosphere, Energies, JMSE, Sustainability, Wind
Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy Technologies in China
Topic Editors: Wei Shi, Qihu Sheng, Fengmei Jing, Dahai Zhang, Puyang ZhangDeadline: 31 July 2024
Topic in
Atmosphere, Buildings, Materials, Remote Sensing, Sensors
Condition Perception and Performance Evaluation of Engineering Structures
Topic Editors: Jingzhou Xin, Hong Zhang, Yan Jiang, Simon X. YangDeadline: 31 August 2024
Topic in
Atmosphere, Climate, Environments, Remote Sensing, Sustainability
Atmospheric Chemistry, Aging, and Dynamics
Topic Editors: Zechen Yu, Myoseon Jang, Zhonghua ZhengDeadline: 30 September 2024
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Atmosphere
Carbon Emission and Carbon Neutrality in China
Guest Editors: Ji Zheng, Yu Li, Yingjie HuDeadline: 2 June 2024
Special Issue in
Atmosphere
Urban and Regional Nitrogen Cycle and Risk Management
Guest Editors: Chaofan Xian, Yu-Sheng Shen, Cheng GongDeadline: 14 June 2024
Special Issue in
Atmosphere
Numerical Weather Prediction Models and Ensemble Prediction Systems
Guest Editor: Petroula LoukaDeadline: 1 July 2024
Special Issue in
Atmosphere
Understanding and Simulating Air–Sea Interactions under Extreme Weather and Climate Conditions (2nd Edition)
Guest Editor: Xiangbo FengDeadline: 10 July 2024
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Atmosphere
Measurement of Exposure to Air Pollution
Collection Editor: Luca Stabile
Topical Collection in
Atmosphere
Livestock Odor Issues and Air Quality
Collection Editor: Jacek Koziel
Topical Collection in
Atmosphere
Indoor Air Quality: From Sampling to Risk Assessment in the Light of New Legislations
Collection Editors: Pasquale Avino, Gaetano Settimo