A modular approach to volatile organic compound samplers for tethered balloon and drone platforms
Meghan Guagenti, Darielle Dexheimer, Alexandra Ulinksi, Paul Walter, James H. Flynn III, and Sascha Usenko
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-96,2024
Preprint under review for AMT (discussion: open, 0 comments)
A robust, automatic VOC collection system was developed for vertical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sampling associated with the 2022 DOE ARM program-led TRACER in Houston, TX. This modular sampler has been developed to measure vertical profiles of VOCs to improve near-surface characterization. This article helps fill the current lack of commercially available options for aerial VOC sampling and serves to support and encourage researchers to build and develop custom samplers.
EMADDC: high quality, quickly available and high volume wind and temperature observations from aircraft using the Mode-S EHS infrastructure
Siebren de Haan, Paul de Jong, Michal Koutek, and Jan Sondij
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-110,2024
Preprint under review for AMT (discussion: open, 0 comments)
This manscript describes the operational method of extracting meteorological information from all airborne aircraft in the European airspace every 20 seconds to 1 minute. The methodology is described and the quality of the wind and temperature observations are evaluated against radiosonde observations.
Abstract
Normal mode analysis is a Laplace-transform method for calculating the surface-loading response of laterally homogeneous spherical Earth models with linear viscoelasticity which delivers modal decay times and amplitudes. It can locally fail owing to numerical singularities arising from the viscoelastic parameters, leading to an incomplete accounting of the surface-loading response. Collocation methods were developed to circumvent this issue. The mixed collocation method includes least-squares fitting to the Laplace-transformed Earth response to determine amplitudes assuming the normal mode decay times are known, while the pure collocation method assumes a series of logarithmically regularly spaced inverse decay times for which amplitudes are determined numerically. Both collocation methods may determine amplitudes that are physically unrealistic and all three methods produce crustal motion predictions that differ significantly. The hybrid normal mode-collocation method presented here applies the normal mode analysis, and then applies the pure collocation to the resulting residuals. This retains the modal structure, while providing an improved fit. Our implementation avoids numerical singularities that may arise from Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities occurring at large times and can be automated. Vertical crustal motions predicted by the hybrid method for North America with the ICE-6G_C loading model and the VM5a viscosity structure have a root mean square (RMS) of 4.49 mm/yr and RMS differences with the normal mode, pure, and mixed collocation method of 0.06, 0.23, and 0.25 mm/yr, respectively. Maximum differences reach 0.20, 0.87, and 0.63 mm/yr. The differences increase for a viscosity profile with a greater viscosity increase with depth that exhibits stronger singularity issues.
Abstract
We present an analysis of Antarctic polar winters from 2005 to 2023 as observed by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE). The unique broad band infrared spectral features in ACE “residual” spectra are used to classify the spectra of polar aerosols by composition into polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and sulfate aerosols. The spectra of PSCs are further classified into nitric acid trihydrate, supercooled ternary solutions, supercooled nitric acid, ice-mix, and mixtures of PSCs. A breakdown of PSC composition is presented for each year. Antarctic winter seasons with unusual compositions are: 2011, in which volcanic ash mixed with PSCs was observed from July to August; 2019, which experienced a stratospheric warming event; 2020, the PSC season following the Australian Black Summer pyrocumulonimbus event; and 2023, which had unusually large sulfate aerosols following the Honga-Tonga Honga Ha'apai eruption of 2022.
Abstract
ANCHOR is a novel assimilative model developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, which was designed for rapid assimilative runs. ANCHOR uses recently developed PyIRI model for the background and for the formation of the background covariance matrix. It only takes a few minutes for ANCHOR to complete the data assimilation (DA) for one day, including data pre-processing and model set up. ANCHOR extracts ionospheric parameters from radio occultation (RO) and ionosonde data using PyIRI formalism and assimilates them as point measurements into maps of the background parameters using a Kalman Filter approach. This paper introduces the ANCHOR algorithm, discusses its coordinate system and background, explains the background covariance formation, discusses the extraction of the ionospheric parameters from the data and the assimilation process, and, finally, shows the results of the observing system simulation experiment with synthetic data simulated using the SAMI3 model. ANCHOR reduces the root mean square errors in the analysis by more than a half for all of the ionospheric parameters in comparison to the background. Finally, this paper discusses advantages and limitations of the parametrized ionospheric DA, highlighting the avenues for its future improvement.
Abstract
In this paper the meteorological drivers of North American Monsoon (NAM) extreme precipitation events (EPEs) are identified and analyzed. First, the NAM area and its subregions are distinguished using self-organizing maps applied to the Climate Prediction Center global precipitation data set. This reveals distinct subregions, shaped by the inhomogeneous geographic features of the NAM area, with distinct extreme precipitation character and drivers. Next, defining EPEs as days when subregion-mean precipitation exceeds the 95th percentile of rainy days, five synoptic features and one mesoscale feature are investigated as potential drivers of EPEs. Essentially all EPEs can be associated with at least one selected driver, with only one event remaining unclassified. This analysis shows the dominant role of Gulf of California moisture surges, mesoscale convective systems and frontal systems in generating NAM extreme precipitation. Finally, a frequency and probability analysis is conducted to contrast precipitation distributions conditioned on the associated meteorological drivers. The findings demonstrate that the co-occurrence of multiple features does not necessarily enhance the EPE probability.
Digitization and calibration of historical solar absorption infrared spectra from the Jungfraujoch site
Jamal Makkor, Mathias Palm, Matthias Buschmann, Emmanuel Mahieu, Martyn P. Chipperfield, and Justus Notholt
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-93,2024
Preprint under review for AMT (discussion: open, 0 comments)
During the years 1950 and 1951, Marcel Migeotte took regular solar measurements in form of paper rolls at the Jungfraujoch site. These historical spectra proved valuable for atmospheric research and needed to be saved for posterity. Therefore, a digitization method which used image processing techniques was developed to extract them from the historical paper rolls. This allowed them to be saved in a machine-readable format that is easily accessible to the scientific community.
Rapid quantitative analysis of SVOCs in indoor surface film using Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry: A case study on phthalates
Ying Zhou, Longkun He, Jiang Tan, Jiang Zhou, and Yingjun Liu
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-104,2024
Preprint under review for AMT (discussion: open, 0 comments)
This study presents a sensitive DART-MS/MS method for the fast and accurate quantification of SVOCs in organic films without the need for pre-treatment. This method developed herein offers substantially improved repeatability in the absence of internal standards. By utilizing MS/MS analysis, separation of isomeric components within films becomes possible. These developments increase the feasibility of the DART-MS approach for studying the dynamics of SVOCs in indoor surface film.
Regional seismic risk assessment based on ground conditions in Uzbekistan
Vakhitkhan Alikhanovich Ismailov, Sharofiddin Ismatullayevich Yodgorov, Akhror Sabriddinovich Khusomiddinov, Eldor Makhmadiyorovich Yadigarov, Bekzod Uktamovich Aktamov, and Shuhrat Bakhtiyorovich Avazov
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2133–2146, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2133-2024, 2024
For the basis of seismic risk assessment, maps of seismic intensity increment and an improved map of seismic hazard have been developed, taking into account the engineering-geological conditions of the territory of Uzbekistan and the seismic characteristics of soils. For seismic risk map development, databases were created based on geographic information system platforms, allowing us to systematize and evaluate the regional distribution of information.
The risk of synoptic-scale Arctic cyclones to shipping
Alexander Frank Vessey, Kevin I. Hodges, Len C. Shaffrey, and Jonathan J. Day
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2115–2132, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2115-2024, 2024
The risk posed to ships by Arctic cyclones has seldom been quantified due to the lack of publicly available historical Arctic ship track data. This study investigates historical Arctic ship tracks, cyclone tracks, and shipping incident reports to determine the number of shipping incidents caused by the passage of Arctic cyclones. Results suggest that Arctic cyclones have not been hazardous to ships and that ships are resilient to the rough sea conditions caused by Arctic cyclones.
Representing effects of surface heterogeneity in a multi-plume eddy diffusivity mass flux boundary layer parameterization
Nathan P. Arnold
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5041–5056, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5041-2024, 2024
Earth system models often represent the land surface at smaller scales than the atmosphere, but surface–atmosphere coupling uses only aggregated surface properties. This study presents a method to allow heterogeneous surface properties to modify boundary layer updrafts. The method is tested in single column experiments. Updraft properties are found to reasonably covary with surface conditions, and simulated boundary layer variability is enhanced over more heterogeneous land surfaces.
A downward-counterfactual analysis of flash floods in Germany
Paul Voit and Maik Heistermann
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2147–2164, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2147-2024, 2024
To identify flash flood potential in Germany, we shifted the most extreme rainfall events from the last 22 years systematically across Germany and simulated the consequent runoff reaction. Our results show that almost all areas in Germany have not seen the worst-case scenario of flood peaks within the last 22 years. With a slight spatial change of historical rainfall events, flood peaks of a factor of 2 or more would be achieved for most areas. The results can aid disaster risk management.
Assessment of coastal inundation triggered by multiple drivers in Ca Mau Peninsula, Vietnam
Hung Nghia Nguyen, Quan Quan Le, Dung Viet Nguyen, Tan Hong Cao, Toan Quang To, Hai Do Dac, Melissa Wood, and Ivan D. Haigh
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https//doi.org/10.5194/nhess-2024-107,2024
Preprint under review for NHESS (discussion: open, 0 comments)
The paper focuses on inundation process in a highest climate vulnerability area of the Mekong Delta, main drivers and future impacts, this is importance alert to decision makers and stakeholder for investment of infrastructure, adaptation approaches and mitigating impacts.
Scale separation for gravity wave analysis from 3D temperature observations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region
Björn Linder, Peter Preusse, Qiuyu Chen, Ole Martin Christensen, Lukas Krasauskas, Linda Megner, Manfred Ern, and Jörg Gumbel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3829–3841, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3829-2024, 2024
The Swedish research satellite MATS (Mesospheric Airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy) is designed to study atmospheric waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. These waves perturb the temperature field, and thus, by observing three-dimensional temperature fluctuations, their properties can be quantified. This pre-study uses synthetic MATS data generated from a general circulation model to investigate how well wave properties can be retrieved.
WRF-Comfort: simulating microscale variability in outdoor heat stress at the city scale with a mesoscale model
Alberto Martilli, Negin Nazarian, E. Scott Krayenhoff, Jacob Lachapelle, Jiachen Lu, Esther Rivas, Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez, Beatriz Sanchez, and José Luis Santiago
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5023–5039, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5023-2024, 2024
Here, we present a model that quantifies the thermal stress and its microscale variability at a city scale with a mesoscale model. This tool can have multiple applications, from early warnings of extreme heat to the vulnerable population to the evaluation of the effectiveness of heat mitigation strategies. It is the first model that includes information on microscale variability in a mesoscale model, something that is essential for fully evaluating heat stress.
A computationally efficient parameterization of aerosol, cloud and precipitation pH for application at global and regional scale (EQSAM4Clim-v12)
Swen Metzger, Samuel Rémy, Jason E. Williams, Vincent Huijnen, and Johannes Flemming
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5009–5021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5009-2024, 2024
EQSAM4Clim has recently been revised to provide an accurate and efficient method for calculating the acidity of atmospheric particles. It is based on an analytical concept that is sufficiently fast and free of numerical noise, which makes it attractive for air quality forecasting. Version 12 allows the calculation of aerosol composition based on the gas–liquid–solid and the reduced gas–liquid partitioning with the associated water uptake for both cases, including the acidity of the aerosols.
