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Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Due to Non-Thermal Escape of Hot O from the Atmosphere of Mars
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TraPSA-Web: Trajectory-Ensemble Toolkit for Atmospheric Pollutant Potential Source Identification
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Indoor Radon Surveying and Mitigation in the Case-Study of Celleno Town (Central Italy)
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Important Contribution to Aerosol Oxidative Potential from Residential Solid Fuel Burning in Central Ireland
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.
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- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q2 (Environmental Science (miscellaneous))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- 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 journals for Atmosphere include: Meteorology and Aerobiology.
Impact Factor:
2.5 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.6 (2023)
Latest Articles
Analyzing the Improvement Effect of the k-Distribution Method on the Radiation Parameterization for WRF Model
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070796 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
To address the need for the accurate parameterization of radiative absorption by gasses (for predicting atmospheric warming), Chou et al. developed a new k-distribution method. In this study, we compared the improved k-distribution method (hereinafter referred to as the NEW method) with the
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To address the need for the accurate parameterization of radiative absorption by gasses (for predicting atmospheric warming), Chou et al. developed a new k-distribution method. In this study, we compared the improved k-distribution method (hereinafter referred to as the NEW method) with the New Goddard radiation schemes (hereinafter referred to as the OLD method) for the WRF (the weather research and forecasting) model. The results of radiative flux calculations by the NEW and OLD methods of k-distribution using the New Goddard Radiation Scheme were compared with the results of the line-by-line (LBL) method, and the results showed that the radiative flux calculated by the NEW was accurate to within 1.00 Wm−2 with respect to the LBL, while the OLD showed large differences at altitudes above the upper troposphere and near the surface. Therefore, in this study, we selected clear-sky and cloudy-day conditions and compared the weather elements prediction results of WRF using the NEW and OLD methods. For the clear-sky days, the downward shortwave radiation at the surface and the temperature at 2 m above the surface (hereinafter referred to as T2) over land and ocean were reversed in sign due to the highly sensitive absorption coefficients of gasses. For cloudy days, the absorption effect by gasses harmonized with the scattering effect induced by cloud droplets; the differences in the shortwave and longwave radiations and radiative heating rate between the NEW and OLD methods were obvious. Thus, it was analyzed that the proposed NEW method could lead to significant improvements in forecasting weather elements.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
Open AccessArticle
Quantifying the Impacts of Density-Dependent Flow on Surface Water–Groundwater Interaction in a Riparian Setup
by
Shahab Doulabian, Amirhossein Shadmehri Toosi and Sina Alaghmand
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070795 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Surface Water–Groundwater (SW–GW) interaction is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle and requires accurate modeling for reliable predictions. In many basic hydrological models and calculations, it is common to assume that the water density is constant. However, density-dependent flow, which accounts for
[...] Read more.
Surface Water–Groundwater (SW–GW) interaction is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle and requires accurate modeling for reliable predictions. In many basic hydrological models and calculations, it is common to assume that the water density is constant. However, density-dependent flow, which accounts for changes in water density, plays a significant role in various hydrological processes. This study aims to quantify the effects of density-dependent flow on SW–GW interaction and evaluate the sensitivity of dominant hydrological drivers to density-dependent flow. Our simulations using the HydroGeoSphere model revealed that neglecting density-dependent flow in SW–GW interaction can lead to inaccurate estimations of water and solute balances. In particular, including density-dependent flow in the model yielded more realistic salinity distributions under gaining river scenarios and captured the gradual expansion of freshwater lenses under losing river scenarios. The results also indicated that under non-density-dependent flow, more saline groundwater is exposed to evapotranspiration, resulting in higher solute mass storage and a more saline unsaturated zone. Further, surface recharge and pum** rates played crucial roles in salinity distribution. This study highlights the critical importance of incorporating density-dependent flow in simulations, providing valuable insights for improving the accuracy of predictions and effectively managing water and solute balances in floodplain aquifers.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources)
Open AccessArticle
Study on Map** and Identifying Risk Areas for Multiple Particulate Matter Pollution at the Block Scale Based on Local Climate Zones
by
Wen Wu, Ruihan Liu and Yu Tang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070794 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
As China’s urbanization process accelerates, the issue of air pollution becomes increasingly prominent and urgently requires improvement, based on the fact that environmental conditions such as meteorology and topography are difficult to change. Therefore, relevant optimization studies from the perspective of architectural patterns
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As China’s urbanization process accelerates, the issue of air pollution becomes increasingly prominent and urgently requires improvement, based on the fact that environmental conditions such as meteorology and topography are difficult to change. Therefore, relevant optimization studies from the perspective of architectural patterns are operable to mitigate pollution. This paper takes the Wenhua Road block in Shenyang, China, as the research object; obtains the concentration data of three kinds of particulate matter through fixed and mobile monitoring; and analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics of Local Climate Zones ( LCZ) and particulate matter in the block based on the ArcGIS platform, identifies high-risk areas, and excavates the influence of LCZ on the concentrations of three kinds of particulate matter. The results show that the spatial distribution characteristics of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 under the same pollution level are relatively similar, while the spatial heterogeneity of the distribution of the same particulate matter under different pollution levels is higher. The time-weighted results show that the PM1 pollution level in the block ranges from 44 to 51 μg/m³, PM2.5 ranges from 75 to 86 μg/m³, and PM10 ranges from 87 to 99 μg/m³. The pollution hot spots throughout the year are located in the central, eastern and western parts of the study area. In terms of the relationship between the LCZ and particulate matter, with the increase in the particulate matter diameter, the correlation between the three kinds of particulate matter and LCZ are all enhanced. The built-up LCZ always has a larger average concentration of particulate matter than that of the natural LCZ, and building height and building density are the main factors causing the difference. In the optimal design of the risk area, the proportion of natural vegetation or water surface should be increased and the building height should be properly controlled and the building density should be reduced in the renewal of the urban building form. This study will largely improve the spatial refinement of the optimization of urban architectural patterns oriented to mitigate particulate matter pollution.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Regional Nitrogen Cycle and Risk Management)
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Open AccessArticle
Driving Factors of NOx Emissions in China: Insights from Spatial Regression Analysis
by
Mahmoud M. Abdelwahab, Ohood A. Shalaby, H. E. Semary and Mohamed R. Abonazel
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070793 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
China’s rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to significant nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, contributing to severe atmospheric pollution. Understanding the driving factors behind these emissions is crucial for effective pollution control and environmental management. Therefore, this study is an attempt to provide insights
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China’s rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to significant nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, contributing to severe atmospheric pollution. Understanding the driving factors behind these emissions is crucial for effective pollution control and environmental management. Therefore, this study is an attempt to provide insights into the influence of socioeconomic factors and explore spatial dependencies of NOx emissions in China in 2022 employing spatial regression models (SRMs). Among the SRMs considered, the spatial Durbin model (SDM) is identified as the most suitable for analyzing regional NOx emissions. The study highlights the importance of controlling electricity consumption and vehicle emissions for addressing air pollution in Chinese regions. Specifically, a one billion kilowatt-hour increase in electricity consumption leads to approximately 549.6 tons of NOx emissions, and an increase of 1000 vehicles in a region results in an average increase of 7113.4 tons of NOx emissions in the same region. Furthermore, per capita consumption expenditure (PCEXP) and research and development (R&D) expenditure exhibit negative direct and spillover impacts. Contrary to previous studies, this research finds that changes in urban population density do not have a significant direct or indirect effect on NOx emissions within the studied areas. Moreover, we conducted additional investigations to assess the effectiveness of government action plans in reducing NOx emissions. Specifically, we evaluated the impact of Phases 1 and 2 of the Clean Air Action Plan, launched in 2013 and 2018, respectively, on the socioeconomic drivers of NOx emissions. Therefore, the data were modeled for the years 2013 and 2017 and compared to the results obtained for 2022. The findings indicate that over the entire period (2013–2022), the emission controls mandated by the action plan resulted in significant reductions in the impact of many of the studied NOx drivers. In conclusion, based on the results, this study presents recommendations to mitigate NOx emissions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Air Pollution: Emission, Management and Policy (2nd Edition))
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Open AccessArticle
A Downscaling Method of TRMM Satellite Precipitation Based on Geographically Neural Network Weighted Regression: A Case Study in Sichuan Province, China
by
Ge Zheng, Nan Zhang, Laifu Zhang, Yijun Chen and Sensen Wu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070792 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Spatial downscaling is an effective way to improve the spatial resolution of precipitation products. However, the existing methods often fail to adequately consider the spatial heterogeneity and complex nonlinearity between precipitation and surface parameters, resulting in poor downscaling performance and inaccurate expression of
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Spatial downscaling is an effective way to improve the spatial resolution of precipitation products. However, the existing methods often fail to adequately consider the spatial heterogeneity and complex nonlinearity between precipitation and surface parameters, resulting in poor downscaling performance and inaccurate expression of regional details. In this study, we propose a precipitation downscaling model based on geographically neural network weighted regression (GNNWR), which integrates normalized difference vegetation index, digital elevation model, land surface temperature, and slope data to address spatial heterogeneity and complex nonlinearity. We explored the spatiotemporal trends of precipitation in the Sichuan region over the past two decades. The results show that the GNNWR model outperforms common methods in downscaling precipitation for the four distinct seasons, achieving a maximum R2 of 0.972 and a minimum RMSE of 3.551 mm. Overall, precipitation in Sichuan Province exhibits a significant increasing trend from 2001 to 2019, with a spatial distribution pattern of low in the northwest and high in the southeast. The GNNWR downscaled results exhibit the strongest correlation with observed data and provide a more accurate representation of precipitation spatial patterns. Our findings suggest that GNNWR is a practical method for precipitation downscaling considering its high accuracy and model performance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Climate Predictions and Impacts)
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Open AccessArticle
‘Stakeholder Perceptions’ of the Impacts of Climatic Features on Residents and Residences: A UK Study
by
Ehis Lawrence Onus, Ezekiel Chinyio and Emmanuel Itodo Daniel
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070791 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
Liveable housing environments face the menace of global climate change. Built infrastructure (including buildings and houses) continuously experiences significant impacts that are exacerbated by natural variability in the climate. Our study examined how climate change impacts the resilience of residential buildings, increases maintenance
[...] Read more.
Liveable housing environments face the menace of global climate change. Built infrastructure (including buildings and houses) continuously experiences significant impacts that are exacerbated by natural variability in the climate. Our study examined how climate change impacts the resilience of residential buildings, increases maintenance frequency, and the wellbeing and comfort of residents in UK residential buildings. This study used deductive reasoning and an empirical epistemological methodology as the basis of primary data collection via a questionnaire survey. The instrument was designed to gather data on the frequency of maintenance and the wellbeing of residents and their perceptions regarding the impacts of climate change. Through regression analysis of the data, the findings showed a significant relationship between climate change and the wellbeing of the occupants of UK residential buildings. Also, physical wellbeing and social wellbeing are more important to the occupants than their mental wellbeing. The cost of maintenance of residential buildings in the UK has an upward trajectory due to the continuously reducing resilience of building fabrics caused by the impacts of climate change; for instance, a recent increase in rainfall/storms resulted in unprecedented flooding, which damaged the fabrics of some UK residential buildings.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and the Potential Impacts on Wind/Solar Power Systems)
Open AccessArticle
Low-Cost Sensor Monitoring of Air Quality Indicators during Outdoor Renovation Activities around a Dwelling House
by
László Bencs
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070790 (registering DOI) - 30 Jun 2024
Abstract
A couple of air quality (AQ) parameters were monitored with two types of low-cost sensors (LCSs) before, during and after the garden fence rebuilding of a dwelling house, located at the junction of a main road and a side street in a suburban
[...] Read more.
A couple of air quality (AQ) parameters were monitored with two types of low-cost sensors (LCSs) before, during and after the garden fence rebuilding of a dwelling house, located at the junction of a main road and a side street in a suburban area of Budapest, Hungary. The AQ variables, recorded concurrently indoors and outdoors, were particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and some gaseous trace pollutants, such as CO2, formaldehyde (HCHO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Medium-size aerosol (PM2.5-1), coarse particulate (PM10-2.5) and indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios were calculated. The I/O ratios showed that indoor fine and medium-size PM was mostly of outdoor origin; its increased levels were observed during the renovation. The related pollution events were characterized by peaks as high as 100, 95 and 37 µg/m3 for PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5, respectively. Besides the renovation, some indoor sources (e.g., gas-stove cooking) also contributed to the in-house PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5 levels, which peaked as high as 160, 255 and 220 µg/m3, respectively. In addition, these sources enhanced the indoor levels of CO2, HCHO and, rarely, VOCs. Increased and highly fluctuating VOC levels were observed in the outdoor air (average: 0.012 mg/m3), mainly due to the use of paints and thinners during the reconstruction, though the use of a nearby wood stove for heating was an occasional contributing factor. The acquired results show the influence of the fence renovation-related activities on the indoor air quality in terms of aerosols and gaseous components, though to a low extent. The utilization of high-resolution LCS-assisted monitoring of gases and PMx helped to reveal the changes in several AQ parameters and to assign some dominant emission sources.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Low-Cost Environmental Sensors for the Evaluation of Ambient Air Quality and Related Emission Sources)
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Open AccessArticle
Varying Drivers of 2013–2017 Trends in PM2.5 Pollution over Different Regions in China
by
Yanan Tao, Guang** Liu, Bowen Sun, Yawei Dong, Lei Cao, Bei Zhao, Mei Li, Zeman Fan, Yaqing Zhou and Qiaoqiao Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070789 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
A significant decrease in surface PM2.5 concentrations has been reported since the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in 2013. In this study, we use the GEOS-Chem model to simulate the trend in surface PM2.5 pollution in
[...] Read more.
A significant decrease in surface PM2.5 concentrations has been reported since the implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in 2013. In this study, we use the GEOS-Chem model to simulate the trend in surface PM2.5 pollution in China from 2013 to 2017, as well as the relative contributions of emission reduction and meteorology. The simulated decline rate averaged over monitoring sites in China is around −4.7 μg m−3 yr−1 in comparison with the value of −6.4 μg m−3 yr−1 from observations. The model also captures the variations over different regions, with r in the range of 0.85–0.95. Based on the sensitivity tests against emissions and meteorology, the study finds that the decline in PM2.5 concentrations is mainly driven by the reduction in anthropogenic emissions. The variation in open biomass burning (OBB) is not significant, except in Northeast China (NEC) and Pearl River Delta (PRD), where the changes originated from OBB are 40% and 30% of those associated with anthropogenic emission reductions. Changes in meteorology from 2013 to 2017 led to significant increases in PM2.5 concentrations in most areas in China, except in NEC. The increase attributed to meteorology, to a large extent, could be explained by the significant decrease in surface wind speed (WS) and planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) between 2013 and 2017, combined with their negative correlation with PM2.5. The decrease in PM2.5 concentrations in NEC, on the other hand, could be explained by the significant decrease in relative humidity (RH) there combined with the positive correlation of RH with PM2.5, while the changes in WS and PBLH there are relatively small compared with other areas. The change in meteorology, therefore, hinders the improvement of air quality via emission controls in most of China. In Sichuan Basin (SCB), the increase due to meteorology almost compensates for the decrease associated with emission reduction, leading to the least change in PM2.5 concentrations, although the decrease due to emission controls is the largest compared with other areas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sources, Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Health Effects of Atmospheric Compositions (2nd Edition))
Open AccessArticle
Susceptibility Modeling and Potential Risk Analysis of Thermokarst Hazard in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Permafrost Landscapes Using a New Interpretable Ensemble Learning Method
by
Yuting Yang, Jizhou Wang, ** Mao, Wenjuan Lu, Rui Wang and Hao Zheng
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 788; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070788 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Climate change is causing permafrost in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau to degrade, triggering thermokarst hazards and impacting the environment. Despite their ecological importance, the distribution and risks of thermokarst lakes are not well understood due to complex influencing factors. In this study, we introduced
[...] Read more.
Climate change is causing permafrost in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau to degrade, triggering thermokarst hazards and impacting the environment. Despite their ecological importance, the distribution and risks of thermokarst lakes are not well understood due to complex influencing factors. In this study, we introduced a new interpretable ensemble learning method designed to improve the global and local interpretation of susceptibility assessments for thermokarst lakes. Our primary aim was to offer scientific support for precisely evaluating areas prone to thermokarst lake formation. In the thermokarst lake susceptibility assessment, we identified ten conditioning factors related to the formation and distribution of thermokarst lakes. In this highly accurate stacking model, the primary learning units were the random forest (RF), extremely randomized trees (EXTs), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and categorical boosting (CatBoost) algorithms. Meanwhile, gradient boosted decision trees (GBDTs) were employed as the secondary learning unit. Based on the stacking model, we assessed thermokarst lake susceptibility and validated accuracy through six evaluation indices. We examined the interpretability of the stacking model using three interpretation methods: accumulated local effects (ALE), local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME), and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP). The results showed that the ensemble learning stacking model demonstrated superior performance and the highest prediction accuracy. Approximately 91.20% of the total thermokarst hazard points fell within the high and very high susceptible areas, encompassing 20.08% of the permafrost expanse in the QTP. The conclusive findings revealed that slope, elevation, the topographic wetness index (TWI), and precipitation were the primary factors influencing the assessment of thermokarst lake susceptibility. This comprehensive analysis extends to the broader impacts of thermokarst hazards, with the identified high and very high susceptibility zones affecting significant stretches of railway and highway infrastructure, substantial soil organic carbon reserves, and vast alpine grasslands. This interpretable ensemble learning model, which exhibits high accuracy, offers substantial practical significance for project route selection, construction, and operation in the QTP.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research about Permafrost–Atmosphere Interactions)
Open AccessArticle
Influence of Particle Surface Energy and Sphericity on Filtration Performance Based on FLUENT-EDEM Coupling Simulation
by
Qing Wu, Zhenqiang **ng, Dejun Chen, Jianwu Chen, Bin Yang, Jianfang Zhong, Hong Huang, Zhifei Ma, Shan Huang, Da You, Jianlong Li and Daishe Wu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070787 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
The adhesion of dust particles on the surface of the dust collector tends to cause great resistance to the dust collector and affects the operating efficiency. In order to visualize particles in the filtration process and to grasp the mechanism of particle viscosity
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The adhesion of dust particles on the surface of the dust collector tends to cause great resistance to the dust collector and affects the operating efficiency. In order to visualize particles in the filtration process and to grasp the mechanism of particle viscosity and sphericity on filtration performance, a numerical simulation study was conducted to investigate the deposition behavior of particles during filtration, employing FLUENT-EDEM coupling technology. By examining the deposition process, the role of particle characteristics on dust behavior within the entire filtration system was elucidated. The effects of varying particle surface energy and particle sphericity on filtration pressure drop and cake porosity were analyzed. The findings reveal that under the force of the air, particles on the surface of the filter membrane experience compaction, leading to a reduction in the porosity of the formed cake layer. The diminution of porosity serves to impede the air, consequently augmenting the pressure drop across the filtration system and hindering the operational efficacy of the dust collector. As the surface energy of the particles increases, the adhesive forces between particles are intensified, leading to an elevation in the porosity of the cake layer and a subsequent decrease in the pressure drop. When the surface energy of the particles is increased from 0.01 J/m2 to 0.04 J/m2, the porosity experiences a modest increase of only 9.1%, yet the pressure drop is significantly reduced by half, amounting to a decrease of 1594 Pa. Under high particle surface energy, as filtration air velocity increases, particles are compressed, resulting in a decrease in cake porosity and an increase in pressure drop. Concurrently, our findings indicate that as the sphericity of particles increases, their surfaces become increasingly smooth which in turn results in a decreased porosity of the cake layer and, consequently, an elevation in the filtration pressure drop.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characteristics and Control of Particulate Matter)
Open AccessArticle
Radon Concentration in Air and Evaluation of the Radiation Dose in Villages near Shizhuyuan, Southern Hunan, China
by
Wanyu Tan and Yixun Nie
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070786 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Radon is one of the important natural sources of radiation and pollutants. When radon and its progeny are inhaled by the human body, they can cause radiation damage to the respiratory system and can lead to lung cancer. Indoor and outdoor radon concentrations
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Radon is one of the important natural sources of radiation and pollutants. When radon and its progeny are inhaled by the human body, they can cause radiation damage to the respiratory system and can lead to lung cancer. Indoor and outdoor radon concentrations were measured in five villages near Shizhuyuan W-polymetallic deposit using a RAD7 detector; moreover, the corresponding radiation dose and lifetime risk probability were evaluated. The results show that the average value of indoor radon concentration was 216.6±121.1 Bq m−3, which is above the worldwide average indoor radon level of 40 Bq m−3, and the average outdoor value was 34.6±13.4 Bq m−3, which is higher than the worldwide outdoor average of 10 Bq m−3. A total of 42% of the dwellings investigated in our study had a higher radon level than the Chinese permissible indoor radon level of 200 Bq m−3. The total annual effective dose ranged from 5.21 mSv y−1 to 49.38 mSv y−1, with an average value of 14.63 mSv y−1, which is higher than the ICRP recommended value of 3–10 mSv y−1. This average total dose value corresponds to an average lifetime risk probability of 5.8% for residents in the whole study area.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Radon Measurement and Radiation Exposure Assessment)
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Nine Planetary Boundary Layer Turbulence Parameterization Schemes of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model Applied to Simulate Planetary Boundary Layer Surface Properties in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo Megacity, Brazil
by
Janet Valdés Tito, Amauri Pereira de Oliveira, Maciel Piñero Sánchez and Adalgiza Fornaro
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070785 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study evaluates nine Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) turbulence parameterization schemes from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale meteorological model, comparing hourly values of meteorological variables observed and simulated at the surface of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). The numerical
[...] Read more.
This study evaluates nine Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) turbulence parameterization schemes from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale meteorological model, comparing hourly values of meteorological variables observed and simulated at the surface of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). The numerical results were objectively compared with high-quality observations carried out on three micrometeorological platforms representing typical urban, suburban, and rural land use areas of the MRSP, during the 2013 summer and winter field campaigns as part of the MCITY BRAZIL project. The main objective is to identify which PBL scheme best represents the diurnal evolution of conventional meteorological variables (temperature, relative and specific humidity, wind speed, and direction) and unconventional (sensible and latent heat fluxes, net radiation, and incoming downward solar radiation) on the surface. During the summer field campaign and over the suburban area of the MRSP, most PBL scheme simulations exhibited a cold and dry bias and overestimated wind speed. They also overestimated sensible heat flux, with high agreement index and correlation values. In general, the PBL scheme simulations performed well for latent heat flux, displaying low mean bias error and root square mean error values. Both incoming downward solar radiation and net radiation were also accurately simulated by most of them. The comparison of the nine PBL schemes indicated the local Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (MYJ) scheme performed best during the summer period, particularly for conventional meteorological variables for the land use suburban in the MRSP. During the winter field campaign, simulation outcomes varied significantly based on the site’s land use and the meteorological variable analyzed. The MYJ, Bougeault-Lacarrère (BouLac), and Mellor-Yamada Nakanishi-Niino (MYNN) schemes effectively simulated temperature and humidity, especially in the urban land use area. The MYNN scheme also simulated net radiation accurately. There was a tendency to overestimate sensible and latent heat fluxes, except for the rural land use area where they were consistently underestimated. However, the rural area exhibited superior correlations compared to the urban area. Overall, the MYJ scheme was deemed the most suitable for representing the convectional and nonconventional meteorological variables on the surface in all urban, suburban, and rural land use areas of the MRSP.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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Open AccessArticle
Dew and Rain Evolution from Climate Change in Semi-Arid South-Western Madagascar between 1991 and 2033 (Extrapolated)
by
Adriana Rasoafaniry, Marc Muselli and Daniel Beysens
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070784 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the context of global warming and the increasing scarcity of fresh water resources, it becomes significant to evaluate the contribution and evolution of non-rainfall waters such as dew. This study therefore aims to evaluate the relative dew and rain contributions in three
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In the context of global warming and the increasing scarcity of fresh water resources, it becomes significant to evaluate the contribution and evolution of non-rainfall waters such as dew. This study therefore aims to evaluate the relative dew and rain contributions in three sites of south-western of Madagascar (Ifaty, Toliara, and Andremba), a semi-arid region which suffers from a strong water deficit. The studied period is 1/1991–7/2023, with extrapolation to 7/2033. Dew is calculated from meteo data by using a well-established energy model. The extrapolation of dew and rain follows an artificial neural network approach. It is found that dew forms regularly (2–3 days on average between events), in contrast to rain (10–15 days). The evolutions of dew and rain are similar, with an increase from 1991 to 2000, a decrease up to 2020 and a further increase until 2033. These oscillations follow the Indian Ocean dipole variations and should be influenced by climate change. Dew contributions to the water balance remain modest on a yearly basis (3–4%) but is important during the dry season (Apr.–Oct.), up to 30%. Dew therefore appears to be a reliable and sustainable resource for plants, small animals, and the population, especially during droughts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Dew under Different Climate Changes)
Open AccessArticle
Air Quality in the Cartagena Basin in South-Western Europe and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
by
José-Luis Moreno-Cegarra, Isidro A. Pérez and M. Ángeles García
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070783 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
The port of Cartagena, south-east Spain, is noted for its intense activity. This paper presents the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recorded levels of six pollutants. Fifteen years of measurements were used, with two objectives. The first was to investigate how
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The port of Cartagena, south-east Spain, is noted for its intense activity. This paper presents the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recorded levels of six pollutants. Fifteen years of measurements were used, with two objectives. The first was to investigate how these pollutants evolved, together with their usual cycles. The second objective was to ascertain whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the concentrations recorded. The results showed that nitrogen oxide concentrations remained steady in the first half of the measurement period and decreased in the second half. SO2 concentrations decreased irregularly, whereas O3 and PM10 presented steady concentrations. The annual cycle was observed for nitrogen oxides and O3. Only SO2 evidenced no weekly cycle. Finally, the analysis of pre- and post-pandemic concentrations revealed a sharp decrease in nitrogen oxides, whereas the pandemic was not seen to have had any impact on the other pollutants. In addition, NO2 emerged as the best indicator of human activity––represented by car and maritime traffic––due to its response to the relaxation measures. Finally, Lamb weather types were calculated. The unclassified type was the most frequent. However, the greatest concentration changes were observed for anticyclonic and eastern flow types.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality in Metropolitan Areas and Megacities)
Open AccessArticle
Investigation into Spatial and Temporal Differences in Carbon Emissions and Driving Factors in the Pearl River Delta: The Perspective of Urbanization
by
Ziya Gao, Dafang Wu, Zhaojun Wu and Lechun Zeng
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070782 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Urbanization is a significant indicator of city progress, and as urbanization advances, carbon emissions exhibit an increasing trend that must not be disregarded. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the spatial and temporal variations as well as the factors influencing carbon emissions
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Urbanization is a significant indicator of city progress, and as urbanization advances, carbon emissions exhibit an increasing trend that must not be disregarded. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the spatial and temporal variations as well as the factors influencing carbon emissions during the urbanization process. In this paper, based on the 2009–2019 PRD region, carbon emissions are measured from energy consumption, industrial production process, solid waste, and wastewater according to the IPCC coefficients, and spatial and spatial differences in carbon emissions are combined with spatial analysis and the drivers analyzed using the gray correlation scale. The results show that: (1) The total carbon emissions in the PRD region have been increasing over the study period, and the distribution of total carbon emissions shows a pattern of “strong in the east and weak in the west”, with energy consumption accounting for the highest proportion of carbon emissions. (2) The global Moran Index of carbon emissions in the PRD has been decreasing, with low and low clustering concentrated in Shaoguan and Zhaoqing, high and high clustering concentrated in Dongguan and Shenzhen, and low and high clustering concentrated in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with cold spots mainly concentrated in Zhaoqing and hot spots mainly distributed in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. (3) The degree of economic growth has a substantial influence on carbon emissions in the PRD cities, and the influence of technical advancement has intensified. Guangzhou City is propelled by low-carbon regulations that have a more equitable influence on all elements. Zhuhai City has a more significant influence on energy intensity, while Foshan City has a more noticeable decrease in the effect of foreign investment. To address the issue of carbon emissions, the government should establish appropriate rules to regulate carbon emissions in areas with high emissions, foster collaborative efforts across cities, and encourage the growth of environmentally friendly enterprises.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Regional Nitrogen Cycle and Risk Management)
Open AccessCase Report
Implication of Subsequent Leaders in the Gigantic Jet
by
Wen-Qian Chang, Yan-Mou Lai, Cheng-Ling Kuo, Janusz Mlynarczyk and Zhong-Yi Lin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070781 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Most of the lightning appears below the cloud or inside the cloud. Unlike conventional lightning, blue jets and gigantic jets (GJ) produce upward discharge since electric discharge occurs as a form of cloud-to-air leader. We analyzed a gigantic jet recorded in the 2022
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Most of the lightning appears below the cloud or inside the cloud. Unlike conventional lightning, blue jets and gigantic jets (GJ) produce upward discharge since electric discharge occurs as a form of cloud-to-air leader. We analyzed a gigantic jet recorded in the 2022 Taiwan campaign. For our color photograph recorded in the observation, high spatial resolution (150 m) at a close distance (140 km) resolves the important spatial features of the GJ phenomena. First, the GJ propagated upwardly as the fully developed jet with a maximum height of ~80 km above the cloud top ~17 km. After the fully developed stage, the subsequent leader reached its top height of ~30 km with a width of 0.5–1.0 km. The subsequent leader attempted but failed to develop from leader to fully developed jet. The subsequent leader may be interpreted as a negative stepped leader associated with cloud rebrightening, similar to the subsequent stroke in the multi-stroke lightning. Besides, the relatively higher IC flash rates associated with the rise of cloud tops benefit the required meteorological conditions for develo** gigantic jets.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Lightning Research)
Open AccessArticle
Impact of Air Emission Reduction Measures during the Asian Games on Air Quality and Health Risks in Hangzhou and Surrounding Cities
by
**g Huang, Jiayan Wang, Yunan Hu and Hui Zhao
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070780 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the air quality in Hangzhou and its surrounding areas during the 2023 Asian Games and assess the impact of safeguard measures on air quality. By comparing air quality monitoring data from Hangzhou and nearby cities
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The purpose of this study was to analyze the air quality in Hangzhou and its surrounding areas during the 2023 Asian Games and assess the impact of safeguard measures on air quality. By comparing air quality monitoring data from Hangzhou and nearby cities between 23 September 2023, and 8 October 2023, with the same period in 2022, the analysis focused on the changes in air quality and the impact of PM2.5 and O3 on human health. The results show that during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, compared to the same period in 2022, the concentrations of pollutants showed the following changes: PM10 and NO2 concentrations decreased by 16.1% and 34.1%, respectively. PM2.5, CO, and O3 concentrations increased by 0.9%, 9.5%, and 14.4%, respectively. Spatially, compared with the same period in 2022, the PM2.5 concentration in Quzhou City decreased the most, reaching 23%, while the PM2.5 concentration in Huzhou City increased the most, reaching 27.1%. The largest decrease in PM10 concentration is in Wenzhou City, which is up to 28.2%, while the largest increase is in Zhoushan City, which is 9.2%. The concentration of NO2 generally decreases in all regions, with the biggest decrease in Zhoushan City, which reaches 36.2%. The concentration of CO only decreases in Shaoxing, and the highest increase is in Huzhou City. In terms of O3, the largest proportion increase is 23% in Ningbo. During the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the number of deaths from all-cause and cardiovascular diseases caused by short-term exposure to PM2.5 was 1780 and 795, respectively, which was 8.2% lower than the same period in 2022. During the Asian Games, the number of deaths from all-cause and cardiovascular diseases due to short-term exposure to O3 was 7332 and 3177, respectively, an increase of 2.8% compared with the same period in 2022.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coordinated Control of PM2.5 and O3 and Its Impacts in China)
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Open AccessReview
Tropospheric Ozone: A Critical Review of the Literature on Emissions, Exposure, and Health Effects
by
Gabriele Donzelli and Maria Morales Suarez-Varela
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070779 (registering DOI) - 29 Jun 2024
Abstract
Tropospheric ozone is a significant air pollutant with severe adverse effects on human health. The complex dynamics of ozone formation, distribution, and health impacts underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of this pollutant. Despite well-documented health risks, including an estimated 423,100 deaths
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Tropospheric ozone is a significant air pollutant with severe adverse effects on human health. The complex dynamics of ozone formation, distribution, and health impacts underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of this pollutant. Despite well-documented health risks, including an estimated 423,100 deaths annually due to ozone exposure, millions of people in major countries continue to be exposed to unhealthy levels. Notably, the epidemiological evidence linking long-term ozone exposure to health outcomes is limited compared to short-term exposure studies, leaving some findings incomplete. Regulatory standards vary globally, with the implementation of the World Health Organization recommendation for an 8-h average limit of 50 ppb to protect public health remaining heterogeneous, leading to significant disparities in adoption across countries, and often significantly higher. Emissions from diesel and gasoline vehicles are major sources of VOCs and NOx in urban areas, and their reduction is a key strategy. Additionally, climate change may exacerbate ozone pollution through increased natural precursor emissions, leading to higher ground-level ozone in polluted regions, like the eastern US, southern Europe, and parts of Asia. Addressing tropospheric ozone effectively requires an integrated approach that considers both natural and anthropogenic sources to reduce concentrations and mitigate health impacts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measurement and Variability of Atmospheric Ozone)
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Open AccessReview
Carbonyl Sulfide (COS) in Terrestrial Ecosystem: What We Know and What We Do Not
by
Jiaxin Li, Lidu Shen, Yuan Zhang, Yage Liu, Jiabing Wu and Anzhi Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070778 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Over the past six decades, carbonyl sulfide (COS) in terrestrial ecosystems has been extensively studied, with research focusing on exploring its ecological and environmental effects, estimating source–sink volume, and identifying influencing factors. The global terrestrial COS sink has been estimated to be about
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Over the past six decades, carbonyl sulfide (COS) in terrestrial ecosystems has been extensively studied, with research focusing on exploring its ecological and environmental effects, estimating source–sink volume, and identifying influencing factors. The global terrestrial COS sink has been estimated to be about 1.194–1.721 Tg a−1, with the terrestrial sink induced by plants and soils 0.50–1.20 Tg a−1, accounting for 41%–69% of the total. Hence, the role of plants and soils as COS sinks has been extensively explored. Now we know that factors such as the activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA), leaf structural traits, soil microbial activity, and environmental factors play significant roles in the COS budget. Developments in observational techniques have also made important contributions to the COS budget. This paper provides an overview of the research progress made on COS based on a comprehensive review of the literature. Then, it highlights the current research hotspots and issues requiring further exploration. For instance, it has been demonstrated that there are still significant uncertainties in the estimation of COS sources and sinks, emphasizing the need for further exploration of COS measuring techniques. This review aims to provide comprehensive guidance for COS research in terrestrial ecosystems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Emission and Carbon Neutrality in China)
Open AccessArticle
Trend Analysis and Spatial Source Attribution of Surface Ozone in Chaozhou, China
by
Zhongwen Huang, Lei Tong, Xuchu Zhu, Junxiao Su, Shaoyun Lu and Hang **ao
Atmosphere 2024, 15(7), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070777 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Surface ozone (O3), a critical air pollutant, poses significant challenges in urban environments, as exemplified by the city of Chaozhou in southeastern China. This study employs a novel combination of trend analysis and spatial source attribution techniques to evaluate the long-term
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Surface ozone (O3), a critical air pollutant, poses significant challenges in urban environments, as exemplified by the city of Chaozhou in southeastern China. This study employs a novel combination of trend analysis and spatial source attribution techniques to evaluate the long-term dynamics of surface ozone and identify its sources. Utilizing the Kolmogorov–Zurbenko (KZ) filter and percentile regression, we analyzed the temporal trends of daily maximum 8 h moving average ozone (MDA8 O3) concentrations from 2014 to 2023. Our analysis revealed a general long-term downward trend in MDA8 O3 values alongside notable monthly fluctuations, with peak concentrations typically occurring in October and April. Additionally, the percentile regression analysis demonstrated a significant downward trend in MDA8 O3 concentrations across nearly all percentiles, with larger decline rates at higher percentiles, highlighting the effectiveness of local and regional O3 management strategies in Chaozhou. The changes in MDA8 O3 concentrations were mainly influenced by the short-term component, contributing 62.2%, while the contribution of the long-term fraction is relatively small. This suggests a significant influence of immediate meteorological conditions and transient pollution events on local O3 levels. To further elucidate the origins of high O3 concentrations, trajectory cluster analysis, trajectory sector analysis (TSA), and potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis were conducted. The trajectory cluster analysis revealed that the northeast air mass was the main transport air mass in Chaozhou during the study period, accounting for 39.1% of occurrences. The northeast cluster C with medium-distance trajectories corresponds to higher concentration of O3, which may be the main transport pathway of O3 pollution in Chaozhou. TSA corroborates these findings, with northeast sectors 1, 2, and 3 accounting for 50.3% of trajectory residence time and contributing 52.2% to O₃ levels in Chaozhou. PSCF results further indicate potential high O₃ sources from the northeast, especially in autumn. This comprehensive analysis suggests that Chaozhou’s elevated O3 levels are influenced by both regional transport from the northeast and local emissions. These findings offer crucial insights into the temporal dynamics of surface O3 in Chaozhou, paving the way for more effective and targeted air quality management strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ozone Pollution and Effects in China)
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