Articles | Volume 15, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7301-2015
© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7301-2015
© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
07 Jul 2015
Research article |
| 07 Jul 2015
On the scaling of the solar incident flux
Climate Research Group, Division of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Faculty of Physics, University of Athens, University Campus Bldg. Phys. V, Athens, 157 84, Greece
S. Lovejoy
Physics Department, McGill University, 3600 University St. Montreal, Que. H3A 2T8, Canada
N. V. Sarlis
Department of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografos, 157 84 Athens, Greece
C. G. Tzanis
Climate Research Group, Division of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Faculty of Physics, University of Athens, University Campus Bldg. Phys. V, Athens, 157 84, Greece
M. N. Efstathiou
Climate Research Group, Division of Environmental Physics and Meteorology, Faculty of Physics, University of Athens, University Campus Bldg. Phys. V, Athens, 157 84, Greece
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John Christodoulakis, Chris G. Tzanis, Costas A. Varotsos, Martin Ferm, and Johan Tidblad
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 439–448, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-439-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-439-2017, 2017
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In this paper we present the corrosion/soiling results obtained from the analysis of different kind of materials that were exposed in Athens during the period 2003–2012. According to these results, the corrosion/soiling of the particular exposed materials tend to decrease over the years, except for the case of copper. Based on this long experimental database, applicable to multi-pollutant situation of the Athens basin, we present newly developed dose–response functions (DRFs).
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We compare the statistical properties of solar, volcanic and combined forcings over the range from 1 to 1000 years to see over which scale ranges they additively combine, a prediction of linear response. The main findings are (a) that the variability in the Zebiac–Cane model and GCMs are too weak at centennial and longer scales; (b) for longer than ≈ 50 years, the forcings combine subadditively; and (c) at shorter scales, strong (intermittency, e.g. volcanic) forcings are nonlinear.
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It has been recently reported that the current 2015–2016 El Niño could become "one of the strongest on record". To further explore this claim, we performed a new analysis that allows the detection of precursory signals of the strong El Niño events by using a recently developed non-linear dynamics tool. The analysis of the SOI time series shows that the 2015–2016 El Niño would be rather a "moderate to strong" or even a "strong” event and not "one of the strongest on record", as that of 1997–1998.
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We investigated the susceptibility of the Dobson spectrophotometer No. 118 to stray-light interference. The monochromatic-heterochromatic stray light derived by Basher’s model was used in order to evaluate the specific instrumental parameters which determine if this instrument suffers from this problem or not. The results obtained indicate that the Athens Dobson instrument appears to have an insignificant stray-light error.
C. A. Varotsos, I. N. Melnikova, A. P. Cracknell, C. Tzanis, and A. V. Vasilyev
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 6953–6965, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6953-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6953-2014, 2014
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Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 30, 311–374, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-30-311-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-30-311-2023, 2023
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Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 29, 93–121, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-29-93-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-29-93-2022, 2022
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The difference between the energy that the Earth receives from the Sun and the energy it emits as black-body radiation is stored in a scaling hierarchy of structures in the ocean, soil and hydrosphere. The simplest scaling storage model leads to the fractional energy balance equation (FEBE). We examine the statistical properties of FEBE when it is driven by random fluctuations. In this paper, we explore the statistical properties of this mathematically simple yet neglected equation.
Roman Procyk, Shaun Lovejoy, and Raphael Hébert
Earth Syst. Dynam., 13, 81–107, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-81-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-13-81-2022, 2022
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Earth Syst. Dynam., 12, 469–487, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-469-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-469-2021, 2021
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Monthly scale, seasonal-scale, and decadal-scale modeling of the atmosphere is possible using the principle of energy balance. Yet the scope of classical approaches is limited because they do not adequately deal with energy storage in the Earth system. We show that the introduction of a vertical coordinate implies that the storage has a huge memory. This memory can be used for macroweather (long-range) forecasts and climate projections.
Shaun Lovejoy
Earth Syst. Dynam., 12, 489–511, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-489-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-12-489-2021, 2021
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Radiant energy is exchanged between the Earth's surface and outer space. Some of the local imbalances are stored in the subsurface, and some are transported horizontally. In Part 1 I showed how – in a horizontally homogeneous Earth – these classical approaches imply long-memory storage useful for seasonal forecasting and multidecadal projections. In this Part 2, I show how to apply these results to the heterogeneous real Earth.
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Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 439–448, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-439-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-439-2017, 2017
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In this paper we present the corrosion/soiling results obtained from the analysis of different kind of materials that were exposed in Athens during the period 2003–2012. According to these results, the corrosion/soiling of the particular exposed materials tend to decrease over the years, except for the case of copper. Based on this long experimental database, applicable to multi-pollutant situation of the Athens basin, we present newly developed dose–response functions (DRFs).
Shaun Lovejoy and Costas Varotsos
Earth Syst. Dynam., 7, 133–150, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-7-133-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-7-133-2016, 2016
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Numerical climate models forecast the weather well beyond the deterministic limit. In this “macroweather” regime, they are random number generators. Stochastic models can have more realistic noises and can be forced to converge to the real-world climate. Existing stochastic models do not exploit the very long atmospheric and oceanic memories. With skill up to decades, our new ScaLIng Macroweather Model (SLIMM) exploits this to make forecasts more accurate than GCMs.
J. Christodoulakis, C. Varotsos, A. P. Cracknell, C. Tzanis, and A. Neofytos
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We investigated the susceptibility of the Dobson spectrophotometer No. 118 to stray-light interference. The monochromatic-heterochromatic stray light derived by Basher’s model was used in order to evaluate the specific instrumental parameters which determine if this instrument suffers from this problem or not. The results obtained indicate that the Athens Dobson instrument appears to have an insignificant stray-light error.
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Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 6953–6965, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6953-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6953-2014, 2014
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Subject: Radiation | Research Activity: Field Measurements | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
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Sebastian Becker, André Ehrlich, Michael Schäfer, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7015–7031, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7015-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7015-2023, 2023
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This study analyses the variability of the warming or cooling effect of clouds on the Arctic surface. Therefore, aircraft radiation measurements were performed over sea ice and open ocean during three seasonally different campaigns. It is found that clouds cool the open-ocean surface most strongly in summer. Over sea ice, clouds warm the surface in spring but have a neutral effect in summer. Due to the variable sea ice extent, clouds warm the surface during spring but cool it during late summer.
Klára Čížková, Kamil Láska, Ladislav Metelka, and Martin Staněk
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4617–4636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4617-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4617-2023, 2023
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The study deals with ultraviolet (UV) radiation in southern polar conditions, where ozone depletion occurs each spring. A 10-year-long time series of UV spectra from Marambio Base, Antarctic Peninsula, has been studied, with a focus on the changes of UV radiation at different wavelengths and the effects of atmospheric and terrestrial variables like ozone, solar elevation, or cloudiness. At the very short wavelengths, the effect of ozone and its deficiency was clearly observed.
Junli Yang, Jianglin Hu, Qiying Chen, and Weijun Quan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 4419–4430, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4419-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-4419-2023, 2023
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Downward long-wave radiation (DLR) affects energy exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere, while it is seldom observed at conventional radiation stations. Therefore, parameterization of DLR based on the near-surface meteorological variables provides a chance to estimate the DLR over most meteorological stations. This work established three parameterizations suited to estimating the DLR over China by using the measurements from the CBSRN with an accuracy of ~6.1 %.
Qiuyan Wang, Hua Zhang, Su Yang, Qi Chen, Xixun Zhou, Bing Xie, Yuying Wang, Guangyu Shi, and Martin Wild
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15867–15886, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15867-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15867-2022, 2022
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The present-day land energy balance over East Asia is estimated for the first time. Results indicate that high aerosol loadings, clouds, and the Tibet Plateau (TP) over East Asia play vital roles in the shortwave budgets, while the TP is responsible for the longwave budgets during this regional energy budget assessment. This study provides a perspective to understand fully how the potential factors influence the diversifying regional energy budget assessments.
Kostas Eleftheratos, John Kapsomenakis, Ilias Fountoulakis, Christos S. Zerefos, Patrick Jöckel, Martin Dameris, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Germar Bernhard, Dimitra Kouklaki, Kleareti Tourpali, Scott Stierle, J. Ben Liley, Colette Brogniez, Frédérique Auriol, Henri Diémoz, Stana Simic, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Kaisa Lakkala, and Kostas Douvis
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We present the future evolution of DNA-active ultraviolet (UV) radiation in view of increasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and decreasing ozone depleting substances (ODSs). It is shown that DNA-active UV radiation might increase after 2050 between 50° N–50° S due to GHG-induced reductions in clouds and ozone, something that is likely not to happen at high latitudes, where DNA-active UV radiation will continue its downward trend mainly due to stratospheric ozone recovery from the reduction in ODSs.
Chenglong Zhou, Yuzhi Liu, Qingzhe Zhu, Qing He, Tianliang Zhao, Fan Yang, Wen Huo, Xinghua Yang, and Ali Mamtimin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5195–5207, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5195-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5195-2022, 2022
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Based on the radiosonde observations, an anomalously warm layer is measured at altitudes between 500 and 300 hPa over the Tarim Basin (TB) with an average intensity of 2.53 and 1.39 K in the spring and summer, respectively. The heat contributions of dust to this anomalously warm atmospheric layer in spring and summer were 13.77 and 10.25 %, respectively. Topographically, the TB is adjacent to the Tibetan Plateau; we propose the concept of the Tibetan heat source’s northward extension.
Akira Watanabe, Mizuo Kajino, Kazuhiko Ninomiya, Yoshitaka Nagahashi, and Atsushi Shinohara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 675–692, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-675-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-675-2022, 2022
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This study summarizes continuous measurements of surface air concentrations and deposition of radiocesium in Fukushima city over 8 years after the Fukushima nuclear accident. The concentration in the city was high in winter and low in summer (inverse of the forest area). The decreasing trends were much faster in the earlier stage, probably because dissolved cesium discharged faster from the local environment. Biotite might play a key role in circulation of particulate cesium in Fukushima city.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Henri Diémoz, Anna Maria Siani, Alcide di Sarra, Daniela Meloni, and Damiano M. Sferlazzo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 18689–18705, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18689-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18689-2021, 2021
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The variability and trends of solar spectral UV irradiance have been studied for the periods 1996–2020 (for Rome) and 2006–2020 (for Lampedusa, Rome, and Aosta) with respect to the variability and trends of total ozone and geopotential height. Analyses revealed increasing UV in particular months at all sites, possibly due to decreasing lower-stratospheric ozone (at Rome in 1996–2020) and decreasing attenuation by aerosols and/or clouds (at all stations in 2006–2020).
Marcia Akemi Yamasoe, Nilton Manuel Évora Rosário, Samantha Novaes Santos Martins Almeida, and Martin Wild
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6593–6603, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6593-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6593-2021, 2021
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Spatio-temporal disparity to assess global dimming and brightening phenomena has been a critical topic. For instance, few studies addressed surface solar irradiation (SSR) long-term trend in South America. In this study, SSR, sunshine duration (SD) and the diurnal temperature range (DTR) are analysed for São Paulo, Brazil. We found a dimming phase, identified by SSR, SD and DTR, extending till 1983. Then, while SSR is still declining, consistent with cloud increasing, SD and DTR are increasing.
Guoyong Wen, Alexander Marshak, Si-Chee Tsay, Jay Herman, Ukkyo Jeong, Nader Abuhassan, Robert Swap, and Dong Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 10477–10491, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10477-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-10477-2020, 2020
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We combine the ground-based observations and radiative transfer model to quantify the impact of the 2017 solar eclipse on surface shortwave irradiation reduction. We find that the eclipse caused local reductions of time-averaged surface flux of about 379 W m-2 (50 %) and 329 W m-2 (46 %) during the ~ 3 h course of the eclipse at the Casper and Columbia sites, respectively. We estimate that the Moon’s shadow caused a reduction of approximately 7 %–8 % in global average surface broadband SW radiation.
Johannes Stapf, André Ehrlich, Evelyn Jäkel, Christof Lüpkes, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 9895–9914, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-9895-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-9895-2020, 2020
Nicholas D. Beres, Deep Sengupta, Vera Samburova, Andrey Y. Khlystov, and Hans Moosmüller
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6095–6114, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6095-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6095-2020, 2020
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Brown carbon (BrC) aerosol can be produced by the smoldering combustion of peat, a wildland fuel common at high latitude, often adjacent to the cryosphere. However, little is known about how BrC deposition onto snow changes snow optical and radiative properties. Here, we artificially deposited BrC onto natural snow surfaces, monitored changes of the spectral surface albedo, characterized optical properties of deposited aerosol, and compared to modeled values of albedo and radiative forcing.
Margit Aun, Kaisa Lakkala, Ricardo Sanchez, Eija Asmi, Fernando Nollas, Outi Meinander, Larisa Sogacheva, Veerle De Bock, Antti Arola, Gerrit de Leeuw, Veijo Aaltonen, David Bolsée, Klara Cizkova, Alexander Mangold, Ladislav Metelka, Erko Jakobson, Tove Svendby, Didier Gillotay, and Bert Van Opstal
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6037–6054, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6037-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6037-2020, 2020
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In 2017, new measurements of UV radiation started in Marambio, Antarctica, by the Finnish Meteorological Institute in collaboration with the Argentinian Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. The paper presents the results of UV irradiance measurements from March 2017 to March 2019, and it
compares them with those from 2000–2008 and also with UV measurements at other Antarctic stations. In 2017/2018, below average UV radiation levels were recorded due to favourable ozone and cloud conditions.
Mengqi Liu, Xiangdong Zheng, Jinqiang Zhang, and Xiangao Xia
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 4415–4426, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4415-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-4415-2020, 2020
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This study uses 1 min radiation and lidar measurements at three stations over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) to parametrize downward longwave radiation (DLR) during summer months. Clear-sky DLR can be estimated from the best parametrization with a RMSE of 3.8 W m-2 and R2 > 0.98. Additionally cloud base height under overcast conditions is shown to play an important role in cloudy DLR parametrization, which is considered in the locally calibrated parametrization over the TP for the first time.
Stephan Nyeki, Stefan Wacker, Christine Aebi, Julian Gröbner, Giovanni Martucci, and Laurent Vuilleumier
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 13227–13241, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-13227-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-13227-2019, 2019
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The trends of meteorological parameters and surface downward shortwave radiation (DSR) and downward longwave radiation (DLR) were analysed at four stations (between 370 and 3580 m a. s. l.) in Switzerland for the 1996–2015 period. Trends in DSR and DLR were positive during cloudy as well as clear conditions. The trend due to the influence of clouds decreased in magnitude, which implies a reduction in cloud cover and/or a change towards a different cloud type over the four Swiss sites.
Christophe Bellisario, Helen E. Brindley, Simon F. B. Tett, Rolando Rizzi, Gianluca Di Natale, Luca Palchetti, and Giovanni Bianchini
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 7927–7937, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7927-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-7927-2019, 2019
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We explore the possibility of inferring far-infrared downwelling radiances from mid-infrared observations to better constrain radiation schemes in climate models. Our results imply that while it is feasible to use this type of approach, the quality of the extension will be strongly dependent on the noise characteristics of the observations and on the accurate characterisation of the atmospheric state.
Germar Bernhard and Boyan Petkov
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 4703–4719, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4703-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4703-2019, 2019
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Solar radiation at ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths was measured during the total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017. Data were used to study the wavelength-dependent changes of solar radiation at Earth’s surface and to validate parameterizations of solar limb darkening (LD), which describes the change in the Sun’s brightness between its center and its edge. The study highlights the importance of the LD effect when calculating total ozone and aerosol optical depth during an eclipse.
Kaisa Lakkala, Alberto Redondas, Outi Meinander, Laura Thölix, Britta Hamari, Antonio Fernando Almansa, Virgilio Carreno, Rosa Delia García, Carlos Torres, Guillermo Deferrari, Hector Ochoa, Germar Bernhard, Ricardo Sanchez, and Gerrit de Leeuw
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 16019–16031, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-16019-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-16019-2018, 2018
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Solar UV irradiances were measured at Ushuaia (54° S) and Marambio (64° S) during 2000–2013. The measurements were part of the Antarctic NILU-UV network, which was maintained as a cooperation between Spain, Argentina and Finland. The time series of the network were analysed for the first time in this study. At both stations maximum UV indices and daily doses were measured when spring-time ozone loss episodes occurred. The maximum UV index was 13 and 12 in Ushuaia and Marambio, respectively.
Chunlüe Zhou, Yanyi He, and Kaicun Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 8113–8136, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8113-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8113-2018, 2018
Pamela Trisolino, Alcide di Sarra, Fabrizio Anello, Carlo Bommarito, Tatiana Di Iorio, Daniela Meloni, Francesco Monteleone, Giandomenico Pace, Salvatore Piacentino, and Damiano Sferlazzo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 7985–8000, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7985-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-7985-2018, 2018
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The long-term (2002–2016) variability of global and diffuse PAR over the central Mediterranean is investigated based on measurements from Lampedusa. PAR modulates biological processes and this study provides useful insight into its variability. Seasonal and interannual variability of global and diffuse PAR is characterized and the effects of clouds are quantified. The analysis suggests that 77 % of the global PAR interannual variability may be ascribed to clouds.
Stelios Kazadzis, Dimitra Founda, Basil E. Psiloglou, Harry Kambezidis, Nickolaos Mihalopoulos, Arturo Sanchez-Lorenzo, Charikleia Meleti, Panagiotis I. Raptis, Fragiskos Pierros, and Pierre Nabat
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 2395–2411, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-2395-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-2395-2018, 2018
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The National Observatory of Athens has been collecting solar radiation, sunshine duration, and cloud and visibility data/observations since the beginning of the 20th century. In this work we present surface solar radiation data since 1953 and reconstructed data since 1900. We have attempted to show and discuss the long-term changes in solar surface radiation over Athens, Greece, using these unique datasets.
Klára Čížková, Kamil Láska, Ladislav Metelka, and Martin Staněk
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 1805–1818, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1805-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1805-2018, 2018
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In order to broaden the knowledge of long-term UV radiation variability, we have reconstructed and analyzed a 50-year-long UV radiation time series from Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. The UV radiation intensities increased greatly following the decline of ozone amounts in the 1980s and 1990s. High UV radiation doses were observed in days with low ozone amounts, clear or partly cloudy skies, or snow cover.
Janusz W. Krzyścin and Piotr S. Sobolewski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1-2018, 2018
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Maintaining homogeneity of long-term UV time series taken from various instruments and thus trend estimation are challenging tasks, especially for remote Arctic sites.
Highlights: method of the UV data homogenization is proposed to be used at any remote site. Past UV data built from satellite total O3 and ground-based sunshine duration. Yearly UV doses trendless in the southern Svalbard for 34-year period since 1983. Long-term cloud effects on UV more important than the ozone effects there.
Werner Eugster, Carmen Emmel, Sebastian Wolf, Nina Buchmann, Joseph P. McFadden, and Charles David Whiteman
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 14887–14904, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14887-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14887-2017, 2017
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The effects of penumbral shading of the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 on near-surface meteorology across Switzerland (occultation 65.8–70.1 %) was investigated. Temperature effects at 184 weather stations are compared with temperature drops reported in the literature since 1834. A special focus is, however, put on wind direction effects observed at six flux sites (with 20 Hz data) and 165 meteorological stations (with 10 min resolution data). Results show the importance of local topography.
Axel Kreuter, Mario Blumthaler, Martin Tiefengraber, Richard Kift, and Ann R. Webb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 14353–14364, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14353-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-14353-2017, 2017
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We have done measurements of the sky's brightness at the Italian coast and show the influence of the underlying surface: looking towards the land, the sky can be up to 50 % brighter than opposite viewing directions towards the ocean as a result of higher land reflectivity. At low solar elevations, the specular reflection from the ocean, or sun glint, increases the zenith brightness. Understanding these effects requires a 3-D model and is important when retrieving, e.g., aerosol properties.
Reinout Boers, Theo Brandsma, and A. Pier Siebesma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 8081–8100, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8081-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8081-2017, 2017
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In the Netherlands 9 W m−2 more solar radiation falls on the surface today than 50 years ago. Often this increase, which has also been detected in surrounding western Europe, has been attributed to decreasing air pollution due to improved regulatory practices. However, over the Netherlands clouds play an important but ambiguous role. Cloud cover has increased but have become optically thinner as well. Here, the impact of clouds on radiation is in fact more important than that of air pollution.
Jizeng Du, Kaicun Wang, Jiankai Wang, and Qian Ma
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4931–4944, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4931-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4931-2017, 2017
Bomidi Lakshmi Madhavan, Hartwig Deneke, Jonas Witthuhn, and Andreas Macke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3317–3338, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3317-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3317-2017, 2017
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A method has been introduced to assess the representativeness of the time series of a point measurement compared to results for a larger area centered around the measurement location. This method allows one to determine the optimal accuracy that can be achieved for the validation of satellite products for a given pixel footprint, or the evaluation of an atmospheric model with a given grid-cell resolution.
Colette Brogniez, Frédérique Auriol, Christine Deroo, Antti Arola, Jukka Kujanpää, Béatrice Sauvage, Niilo Kalakoski, Mikko Riku Aleksi Pitkänen, Maxime Catalfamo, Jean-Marc Metzger, Guy Tournois, and Pierre Da Conceicao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 15049–15074, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-15049-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-15049-2016, 2016
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The atmospheric ozone layer is changing, thus the UV radiation at the surface is changing. Due to both beneficial and adverse effects of UV on the biosphere, monitoring of UV is essential. Satellite sensors provide estimates of UV at the surface with a global coverage. Validation of satellite-sensor UV is therefore needed and this can be done by comparison with ground-based measurements. The present validation in three sites (midlatitude, tropical) shows that OMI and GOME-2 provide reliable UV.
Katsumasa Tanaka, Atsumu Ohmura, Doris Folini, Martin Wild, and Nozomu Ohkawara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13969–14001, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13969-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13969-2016, 2016
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Surface solar radiation observed in Japan generally shows a strong decline until the end of the 1980s and then a recovery up until around 2000. A substantial number of measurement stations are located close to populated areas and are speculated to have been influenced by air pollution. However, data obtained at 14 meteorological observatories suggest that the large decadal variations in surface solar radiation occur on a large scale and not limited to urban areas.
Jianping Guo, Yucong Miao, Yong Zhang, Huan Liu, Zhanqing Li, Wanchun Zhang, Jing He, Mengyun Lou, Yan Yan, Lingen Bian, and Panmao Zhai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13309–13319, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13309-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13309-2016, 2016
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The large-scale PBL climatology from sounding observations is still lacking in China. This work investigated the BLH characterization at diurnal, monthly and seasonal timescales throughout China, showing large geographic and meteorological dependences. BLH is, on average, negatively (positively) associated with the surface pressure and lower tropospheric stability (wind speed and temperature). Cloud tends to suppress the development of the PBL, which has implications for air quality forecasts.
Veronica Manara, Michele Brunetti, Angela Celozzi, Maurizio Maugeri, Arturo Sanchez-Lorenzo, and Martin Wild
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 11145–11161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11145-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11145-2016, 2016
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This paper presents the temporal evolution of solar radiation over Italy for the 1959–2013 period and discusses possible reasons for differences between all-sky and clear-sky conditions in order to understand which part of the solar radiation variability depends on aerosols or clouds. The results give evidence of a relevant influence of both anthropogenic and natural aerosols on solar radiation long-term variability.
Weidong Guo, Xueqian Wang, Jianning Sun, Aijun Ding, and Jun Zou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 9875–9890, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9875-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9875-2016, 2016
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Basic characteristics of land–atmosphere interactions at four neighboring sites with different underlying surfaces in southern China, a typical monsoon region, are analyzed systematically. Despite the same climate background, the differences in land surface characteristics like albedo and aerodynamic roughness length due to land use/cover change exert distinct influences on the surface radiative budget and energy allocation and result in differences of near-surface micrometeorological elements.
Fanny Finger, Frank Werner, Marcus Klingebiel, André Ehrlich, Evelyn Jäkel, Matthias Voigt, Stephan Borrmann, Peter Spichtinger, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 7681–7693, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7681-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7681-2016, 2016
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Solar spectra of optical layer properties of cirrus have been derived from the first truly collocated airborne radiation measurements using an aircraft and a towed sensor platform. The measured layer properties differ slightly due to horizontal cirrus inhomogeneities and the influence of low-level water clouds. Applying a 1-D radiative transfer model sensitivity studies were performed. It was found that if a low-level cloud is not considered, the solar cooling of the cirrus is strongly overestimated.
Gerald M. Lohmann, Adam H. Monahan, and Detlev Heinemann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6365–6379, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6365-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6365-2016, 2016
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Increasing numbers of photovoltaic (PV) power systems call for the characterization of irradiance variability with very high spatiotemporal resolution. We use 1 Hz irradiance data recorded by as many as 99 pyranometers and show mixed sky conditions to differ substantially from clear and overcast skies. For example, the probabilities of strong fluctuations and their respective spatial autocorrelation structures are appreciably distinct under mixed conditions.
John H. Marsham, Douglas J. Parker, Martin C. Todd, Jamie R. Banks, Helen E. Brindley, Luis Garcia-Carreras, Alexander J. Roberts, and Claire L. Ryder
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 3563–3575, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-3563-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-3563-2016, 2016
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The roles of water, clouds and airborne dust in controlling the heating of the Sahara are uncertain, which has major implications for the West African monsoon. Observations from the Fennec project, with satellite data, show that total atmospheric water content provides a far stronger control on total radiative heating than dust does, but dust provides the stronger control on surface heating. Therefore major heating errors in global models are likely due to known errors in water transport.
Adel Imamovic, Katsumasa Tanaka, Doris Folini, and Martin Wild
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2719–2725, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2719-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2719-2016, 2016
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Systematic measurements of surface solar radiation revealed a worldwide decrease from the 1960s to the mid-1980s. The role of urbanization for this so called global dimming is still under debate. We developed a set of population-data based urbanization indicators and found no correlation between urbanization and global dimming for Europe and Japan, while an urbanization impact can't be precluded for Asia. It is thus called into question whether the global dimming was mainly a local phenomenon.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Konstantinos Fragkos, Charickleia Meleti, Kleareti Tourpali, and Melina Maria Zempila
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2493–2505, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2493-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2493-2016, 2016
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Short- and long-term variability of spectral UV irradiance at Thessaloniki, Greece, is discussed in association with changes in total ozone column, aerosols and cloudiness. The UV data set from two Brewer spectrophotometers is used for the analysis. For the entire period 1994–2014, positive, statistically significant increases of UV irradiance were found, mainly attributable to changes in aerosols. UV irradiance is mainly increased from 1994 to 2006 and remains relatively stable thereafter.
Costas A. Varotsos, Chris G. Tzanis, and Nicholas V. Sarlis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2007–2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2007-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2007-2016, 2016
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It has been recently reported that the current 2015–2016 El Niño could become "one of the strongest on record". To further explore this claim, we performed a new analysis that allows the detection of precursory signals of the strong El Niño events by using a recently developed non-linear dynamics tool. The analysis of the SOI time series shows that the 2015–2016 El Niño would be rather a "moderate to strong" or even a "strong” event and not "one of the strongest on record", as that of 1997–1998.
X. Guan, J. Huang, R. Guo, H. Yu, P. Lin, and Y. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 13777–13786, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-13777-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-13777-2015, 2015
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Dynamical adjustment methodology has been applied to the raw surface air temperature and has successfully identified and separated the contribution of dynamically induced temperature (DIT) and radiatively forced temperature (RFT). It found that regional anthropogenic radiative forcing caused the enhanced warming in the semi-arid region, which may be closely associated with local human activities.
C.-M. Gan, J. Pleim, R. Mathur, C. Hogrefe, C. N. Long, J. Xing, D. Wong, R. Gilliam, and C. Wei
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 12193–12209, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12193-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-12193-2015, 2015
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This study attempts to determine the consequences of the changes in tropospheric aerosol burden arising from substantial reductions in emissions of SO2 and NOx associated with control measures under the Clean Air Act especially on trends in solar radiation. Comparisons of model results with observations of aerosol optical depth, aerosol concentration, and radiation demonstrate that the coupled WRF-CMAQ model is capable of replicating the trends well even though it tends to underestimate the AOD.
G. Bernhard, A. Arola, A. Dahlback, V. Fioletov, A. Heikkilä, B. Johnsen, T. Koskela, K. Lakkala, T. Svendby, and J. Tamminen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7391–7412, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7391-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7391-2015, 2015
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Surface erythemal UV data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) are validated for high northern latitudes (Arctic and Scandinavia) using ground-based measurements. The bias in OMI data caused by incorrect assumptions of the surface albedo are quantified and the mechanism that causes this bias is discussed. Methods to improve the accuracy of OMI data products are presented.
S. R. Wilson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7337–7349, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7337-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7337-2015, 2015
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Measurements of the photolysis rates which drive production of OH from ozone are reported for Cape Grim, a "clean-air" site in the southern midlatitudes. This remote maritime site sits in the Southern Ocean, a region of the globe which is little studied. From the 6 years of data the dependence of this photolysis on solar zenith angle and stratospheric ozone is determined. Included with the reported values is an estimate of the uncertainties in these measurements.
P. Wang, M. Allaart, W. H. Knap, and P. Stammes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 4131–4144, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-4131-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-4131-2015, 2015
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A green light sensor has been developed at KNMI to measure actinic flux profiles together with an ozonesonde. The impact of clouds on the actinic flux is clearly detected. Good agreement is found between the DAK-simulated actinic flux profiles and the observations for single-layer clouds in fully overcast scenes. The instrument is suitable for operational balloon measurements because of its simplicity and low cost.
V. De Bock, H. De Backer, R. Van Malderen, A. Mangold, and A. Delcloo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12251–12270, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12251-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12251-2014, 2014
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Short summary
Varotsos et al. (Theor. Appl. Climatol., 114, 725–727, 2013) found that the solar ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths exhibit 1/f-type power-law correlations. In this study, we show that the residues of the spectral solar incident flux with respect to the Planck law over a wider range of wavelengths (i.e. UV-visible) have a scaling regime too.
Varotsos et al. (Theor. Appl. Climatol., 114, 725–727, 2013) found that the solar ultraviolet...
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