Articles | Volume 21, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18689-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-18689-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
23 Dec 2021
Research article |
| 23 Dec 2021
| 23 Dec 2021
Variability and trends in surface solar spectral ultraviolet irradiance in Italy: on the influence of geopotential height and lower-stratospheric ozone
Ilias Fountoulakis
Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) of the Aosta Valley, 11020 Saint-Christophe, Italy
now at: Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens (IAASARS/NOA), 15236 Athens, Greece
Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) of the Aosta Valley, 11020 Saint-Christophe, Italy
Anna Maria Siani
Physics Department, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alcide di Sarra
Laboratory for Earth Observations and Analyses, ENEA, 00123, S. Maria di Galeria, Rome, Italy
Daniela Meloni
Laboratory for Earth Observations and Analyses, ENEA, 00123, S. Maria di Galeria, Rome, Italy
Damiano M. Sferlazzo
Laboratory for Earth Observations and Analyses, ENEA, 92010 Lampedusa, Italy
Related authors
Christos Spyrou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Stavros Solomos, Nikolaos Papadimitriou, Alkiviadis Bais, Julian Groebner, Daniela Meloni, and Christos Zerefos
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3570, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3570, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
Short summary
Short summary
Dust particles originating from desert areas of the planet have significant radiative impacts on the ground and atmospheric column. The magnitude of the dust radiative effect is dependent on their optical properties and mineralogical content. Therefore, we upgrade the METAL-WRF model to incorporate the direct radiative impact of the minerals in dust. The capabilities of the model to simulate the chemical composition and associated impacts is significantly improved.
Emmanouil Proestakis, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Thanasis Georgiou, Sofia Eirini Chatoutsidou, Mihalis Lazaridis, Antonis Gkikas, Ilias Fountoulakis, Ioanna Tsikοudi, Manolis P. Petrakis, and Vassilis Amiridis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1841, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1841, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Based on Earth observations of dust the study addresses the questions: To what extent have the fine and coarse modes of atmospheric dust within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) changed over major cities worldwide? Which areas experience fine-mode and coarse-mode dust mass concentrations within the PBL that exceed World Health Organization air quality guidelines, and which areas are projected to exceed these guidelines in the near future? Can we quantify associated impacts on human health?
Ilias Fountoulakis, Kyriaki Papachristopoulou, Stelios Kazadzis, Gregor Hülsen, Julian Gröbner, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Dimitra Kouklaki, Akriti Masoom, Charalampos Kontoes, and Christos S. Zerefos
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2964, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2964, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The UVIOS2 model has been evaluated at Davos, Switzerland during the UVCIII campaign. The accuracy in the modelled UV indices has been assessed for different combinations of model inputs. A good overall agreement between UVIOS2 and the world reference spectroradiometer QASUME was found (average ratio of ~1 between the modelled and measured UV index), although the variability in the ratio can be large under cloudy conditions.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alexandra Tsekeri, Stelios Kazadzis, Vassilis Amiridis, Angelos Nersesian, Maria Tsichla, Emmanouil Proestakis, Antonis Gkikas, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Vasileios Barlakas, Claudia Emde, and Bernhard Mayer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4915–4948, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4915-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4915-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In our study we provide an assessment, through a sensitivity study, of the limitations of models to calculate the dust direct radiative effect (DRE) due to the underrepresentation of its size, refractive index (RI), and shape. Our results indicate the necessity of including more realistic sizes and RIs for dust particles in dust models, in order to derive better estimations of the dust direct radiative effects.
Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Basil E. Psiloglou, Nikolaos Papadimitriou, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Andreas Kazantzidis, Charalampos Kontoes, Maria Hatzaki, and Stelios Kazadzis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1851–1877, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1851-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1851-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The upgraded systems SENSE2 and NextSENSE2 focus on improving the quality of solar nowcasting and forecasting. SENSE2 provides real-time estimates of solar irradiance across a wide region every 15 min. NextSENSE2 offers short-term forecasts of irradiance up to 3 h ahead. Evaluation with actual data showed that the instantaneous comparison yields the most discrepancies due to the uncertainties of cloud-related information and satellite versus ground-based spatial representativeness limitations.
Akriti Masoom, Ilias Fountoulakis, Stelios Kazadzis, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Anna Kampouri, Basil E. Psiloglou, Dimitra Kouklaki, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Eleni Marinou, Stavros Solomos, Anna Gialitaki, Dimitra Founda, Vasileios Salamalikis, Dimitris Kaskaoutis, Natalia Kouremeti, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Vassilis Amiridis, Andreas Kazantzidis, Alexandros Papayannis, Christos S. Zerefos, and Kostas Eleftheratos
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8487–8514, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8487-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8487-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyse the spatial and temporal aerosol spectral optical properties during the extreme wildfires of August 2021 in Greece and assess their effects on air quality and solar radiation quantities related to health, agriculture, and energy. Different aerosol conditions are identified (pure smoke, pure dust, dust–smoke together); the largest impact on solar radiation quantities is found for cases with mixed dust–smoke aerosols. Such situations are expected to occur more frequently in the future.
Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Antonis Gkikas, Ilias Fountoulakis, Akriti Masoom, and Stelios Kazadzis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15703–15727, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15703-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15703-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Megacities' air quality is determined by atmospheric aerosols. We focus on changes over the last two decades in the 81 largest cities, using satellite data. European and American cities have lower aerosol compared to African and Asian cities. For European, North American and East Asian cities, aerosols are decreasing over time, especially in China and the US. In the remaining cities, aerosol loads are increasing, particularly in India.
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
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12827–12855, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
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.
Dimitris Karagkiozidis, Martina Michaela Friedrich, Steffen Beirle, Alkiviadis Bais, François Hendrick, Kalliopi Artemis Voudouri, Ilias Fountoulakis, Angelos Karanikolas, Paraskevi Tzoumaka, Michel Van Roozendael, Dimitris Balis, and Thomas Wagner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1269–1301, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1269-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1269-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we focus on the retrieval of aerosol, NO2, and HCHO vertical profiles from multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations for the first time over Thessaloniki, Greece. We use two independent inversion algorithms for the profile retrievals. We evaluate their performance, we intercompare their results, and we validate their products with ancillary data, measured by other co-located reference instruments.
Panagiotis G. Kosmopoulos, Stelios Kazadzis, Alois W. Schmalwieser, Panagiotis I. Raptis, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Akriti Masoom, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Julia Bilbao, Mario Blumthaler, Axel Kreuter, Anna Maria Siani, Kostas Eleftheratos, Chrysanthi Topaloglou, Julian Gröbner, Bjørn Johnsen, Tove M. Svendby, Jose Manuel Vilaplana, Lionel Doppler, Ann R. Webb, Marina Khazova, Hugo De Backer, Anu Heikkilä, Kaisa Lakkala, Janusz Jaroslawski, Charikleia Meleti, Henri Diémoz, Gregor Hülsen, Barbara Klotz, John Rimmer, and Charalampos Kontoes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5657–5699, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5657-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5657-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Large-scale retrievals of the ultraviolet index (UVI) in real time by exploiting the modern Earth observation data and techniques are capable of forming operational early warning systems that raise awareness among citizens of the health implications of high UVI doses. In this direction a novel UVI operating system, the so-called UVIOS, was introduced for massive outputs, while its performance was tested against ground-based measurements revealing a dependence on the input quality and resolution.
Kaisa Lakkala, Jukka Kujanpää, Colette Brogniez, Nicolas Henriot, Antti Arola, Margit Aun, Frédérique Auriol, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Germar Bernhard, Veerle De Bock, Maxime Catalfamo, Christine Deroo, Henri Diémoz, Luca Egli, Jean-Baptiste Forestier, Ilias Fountoulakis, Katerina Garane, Rosa Delia Garcia, Julian Gröbner, Seppo Hassinen, Anu Heikkilä, Stuart Henderson, Gregor Hülsen, Bjørn Johnsen, Niilo Kalakoski, Angelos Karanikolas, Tomi Karppinen, Kevin Lamy, Sergio F. León-Luis, Anders V. Lindfors, Jean-Marc Metzger, Fanny Minvielle, Harel B. Muskatel, Thierry Portafaix, Alberto Redondas, Ricardo Sanchez, Anna Maria Siani, Tove Svendby, and Johanna Tamminen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 6999–7024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6999-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6999-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite was launched on 13 October 2017 to provide the atmospheric composition for atmosphere and climate research. Ground-based data from 25 sites located in Arctic, subarctic, temperate, equatorial and Antarctic
areas were used for the validation of the TROPOMI surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation product. For most sites 60 %–80 % of TROPOMI data was within ± 20 % of ground-based data.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Henri Diémoz, Anna Maria Siani, Gregor Hülsen, and Julian Gröbner
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 2787–2810, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2787-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2787-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we discuss the procedures and the technical aspects which ensure the high quality of the measurements of the global solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiance performed by a Bentham spectroradiometer located at Aosta–Saint-Christophe (north-western Alps), Italy. This particular instrument is the reference for the Aosta Valley UV monitoring network, which is the first UV monitoring network in Italy. The final spectra constitute one of the most accurate datasets globally.
Alberto Berjón, Alberto Redondas, Meelis-Mait Sildoja, Saulius Nevas, Keith Wilson, Sergio F. León-Luis, Omar el Gawhary, and Ilias Fountoulakis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 3323–3337, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3323-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3323-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The Brewer spectrophotometer has been used for decades as reference instrument to retrieve total ozone column (TOC) and for validation of satellite based measurements. This spectrophotometer has a thermal sensitivity already known, which is usually characterized using two different retrieval procedures. In this work, we report on a comparative study of the temperature coefficients retrieval procedures, obtaining differences less that 0.08 % in TOC when using any of the procedures.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alberto Redondas, Kaisa Lakkala, Alberto Berjon, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Lionel Doppler, Uwe Feister, Anu Heikkila, Tomi Karppinen, Juha M. Karhu, Tapani Koskela, Katerina Garane, Konstantinos Fragkos, and Volodya Savastiouk
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4491–4505, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4491-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4491-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Results of the temperature characterization of the global UV spectral measurements of eight different Brewer spectrophotometers operating in Greece, Finland, Germany and Spain are presented. Different temperature characterization methods are evaluated and an improved methodology for the correction of the measurements for the effects of temperature is presented.
Melina-Maria Zempila, Jos H. G. M. van Geffen, Michael Taylor, Ilias Fountoulakis, Maria-Elissavet Koukouli, Michiel van Weele, Ronald J. van der A, Alkiviadis Bais, Charikleia Meleti, and Dimitrios Balis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 7157–7174, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7157-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7157-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
NILU irradiances at five UV channels were used to produce CIE, vitamin D, and DNA- damage daily doses via a neural network (NN) model. The NN was trained with collocated weighted Brewer spectra and uncertainty in the NILU-derived UV effective doses was 7.5 %. TEMIS UV products were found to be ~ 12.5 % higher than the NILU estimates. The results improve for cloud-free days with differences of 0.57 % for CIE, 1.22 % for vitamin D, and 1.18 % for DNA damage, with standard deviations of ~ 11–13 %.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alberto Redondas, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Juan José Rodriguez-Franco, Konstantinos Fragkos, and Alexander Cede
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1799–1816, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1799-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1799-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The dead time (DT) is characteristic for each Brewer spectrophotometer and non-proper correction of the raw data for its effect may lead to important errors in UV, AOD and TOC measurements. Quantitative estimation of the DT-related uncertainties shown that a 2 ns error in the DT may lead to errors greater than 1 % in TOC. The operational algorithm for the DT calculation and correction is validated and the development of new methods for the estimation of DT is described.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
Christos Spyrou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Stavros Solomos, Nikolaos Papadimitriou, Alkiviadis Bais, Julian Groebner, Daniela Meloni, and Christos Zerefos
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3570, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3570, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
Short summary
Short summary
Dust particles originating from desert areas of the planet have significant radiative impacts on the ground and atmospheric column. The magnitude of the dust radiative effect is dependent on their optical properties and mineralogical content. Therefore, we upgrade the METAL-WRF model to incorporate the direct radiative impact of the minerals in dust. The capabilities of the model to simulate the chemical composition and associated impacts is significantly improved.
Yosuke Niwa, Yasunori Tohjima, Yukio Terao, Tazu Saeki, Akihiko Ito, Taku Umezawa, Kyohei Yamada, Motoki Sasakawa, Toshinobu Machida, Shin-Ichiro Nakaoka, Hideki Nara, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Hitoshi Mukai, Yukio Yoshida, Shinji Morimoto, Shinya Takatsuji, Kazuhiro Tsuboi, Yousuke Sawa, Hidekazu Matsueda, Kentaro Ishijima, Ryo Fujita, Daisuke Goto, Xin Lan, Kenneth Schuldt, Michal Heliasz, Tobias Biermann, Lukasz Chmura, Jarsolaw Necki, Irène Xueref-Remy, and Damiano Sferlazzo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6757–6785, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6757-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6757-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study estimated regional and sectoral emission contributions to the unprecedented surge of atmospheric methane for 2020–2022. The methane is the second most important greenhouse gas, and its emissions reduction is urgently required to mitigate global warming. Numerical modeling-based estimates with three different sets of atmospheric observations consistently suggested large contributions of biogenic emissions from South Asia and Southeast Asia to the surge of atmospheric methane.
Emmanouil Proestakis, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Thanasis Georgiou, Sofia Eirini Chatoutsidou, Mihalis Lazaridis, Antonis Gkikas, Ilias Fountoulakis, Ioanna Tsikοudi, Manolis P. Petrakis, and Vassilis Amiridis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1841, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1841, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Based on Earth observations of dust the study addresses the questions: To what extent have the fine and coarse modes of atmospheric dust within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) changed over major cities worldwide? Which areas experience fine-mode and coarse-mode dust mass concentrations within the PBL that exceed World Health Organization air quality guidelines, and which areas are projected to exceed these guidelines in the near future? Can we quantify associated impacts on human health?
Ilias Fountoulakis, Kyriaki Papachristopoulou, Stelios Kazadzis, Gregor Hülsen, Julian Gröbner, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Dimitra Kouklaki, Akriti Masoom, Charalampos Kontoes, and Christos S. Zerefos
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2964, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2964, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The UVIOS2 model has been evaluated at Davos, Switzerland during the UVCIII campaign. The accuracy in the modelled UV indices has been assessed for different combinations of model inputs. A good overall agreement between UVIOS2 and the world reference spectroradiometer QASUME was found (average ratio of ~1 between the modelled and measured UV index), although the variability in the ratio can be large under cloudy conditions.
Annachiara Bellini, Henri Diémoz, Luca Di Liberto, Gian Paolo Gobbi, Alessandro Bracci, Ferdinando Pasqualini, and Francesca Barnaba
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 6119–6144, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6119-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-6119-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We provide a comprehensive overview of the Italian Automated LIdar-CEilometer network, ALICENET, describing its infrastructure, aerosol retrievals, and main applications. The supplement covers data-processing details. We include examples of output products, comparisons with independent data, and examples of the network capability to provide near-real-time aerosol fields over Italy. ALICENET is expected to benefit the sectors of air quality, radiative budget/solar energy, and aviation safety.
Monica Campanelli, Victor Estellés, Gaurav Kumar, Teruyuki Nakajima, Masahiro Momoi, Julian Gröbner, Stelios Kazadzis, Natalia Kouremeti, Angelos Karanikolas, Africa Barreto, Saulius Nevas, Kerstin Schwind, Philipp Schneider, Iiro Harju, Petri Kärhä, Henri Diémoz, Rei Kudo, Akihiro Uchiyama, Akihiro Yamazaki, Anna Maria Iannarelli, Gabriele Mevi, Annalisa Di Bernardino, and Stefano Casadio
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 5029–5050, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5029-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-5029-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To retrieve columnar aerosol properties from sun photometers, some calibration factors are needed. The on-site calibrations, performed as frequently as possible to monitor changes in the machine conditions, allow operators to track and evaluate the calibration status on a continuous basis, reducing the data gaps incurred by the periodic shipments for performing centralized calibrations. The performance of the on-site calibration procedures was evaluated, providing very good results.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alexandra Tsekeri, Stelios Kazadzis, Vassilis Amiridis, Angelos Nersesian, Maria Tsichla, Emmanouil Proestakis, Antonis Gkikas, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Vasileios Barlakas, Claudia Emde, and Bernhard Mayer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4915–4948, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4915-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4915-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In our study we provide an assessment, through a sensitivity study, of the limitations of models to calculate the dust direct radiative effect (DRE) due to the underrepresentation of its size, refractive index (RI), and shape. Our results indicate the necessity of including more realistic sizes and RIs for dust particles in dust models, in order to derive better estimations of the dust direct radiative effects.
Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Basil E. Psiloglou, Nikolaos Papadimitriou, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Andreas Kazantzidis, Charalampos Kontoes, Maria Hatzaki, and Stelios Kazadzis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1851–1877, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1851-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1851-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The upgraded systems SENSE2 and NextSENSE2 focus on improving the quality of solar nowcasting and forecasting. SENSE2 provides real-time estimates of solar irradiance across a wide region every 15 min. NextSENSE2 offers short-term forecasts of irradiance up to 3 h ahead. Evaluation with actual data showed that the instantaneous comparison yields the most discrepancies due to the uncertainties of cloud-related information and satellite versus ground-based spatial representativeness limitations.
Giandomenico Pace, Alcide di Sarra, Filippo Cali Quaglia, Virginia Ciardini, Tatiana Di Iorio, Antonio Iaccarino, Daniela Meloni, Giovanni Muscari, and Claudio Scarchilli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1617–1632, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1617-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1617-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the performances of 17 formulas to determine the clear sky longwave downward irradiance in the Arctic environment. The formulas need to be tuned to the environmental conditions of the studied region and, to date, few of them have been developed and/or tested in the Arctic. The best formulas provide biases and root mean squared errors respectively smaller than 1 and 5 W m-2. We intend to use these results to estimate the longwave cloud radiative perturbation.
Daniela Meloni, Filippo Calì Quaglia, Virginia Ciardini, Annalisa Di Bernardino, Tatiana Di Iorio, Antonio Iaccarino, Giovanni Muscari, Giandomenico Pace, Claudio Scarchilli, and Alcide di Sarra
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 543–566, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-543-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-543-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Solar and infrared radiation are key factors in determining Arctic climate. Only a few sites in the Arctic perform long-term measurements of the surface radiation budget (SRB). At the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAAO, 76.5° N, 68.8° W) in Northern Greenland, solar and infrared irradiance measurements were started in 2009. These data are of paramount importance in studying the impact of the atmospheric (mainly clouds and aerosols) and surface (albedo) parameters on the SRB.
Willem E. van Caspel, David Simpson, Jan Eiof Jonson, Anna M. K. Benedictow, Yao Ge, Alcide di Sarra, Giandomenico Pace, Massimo Vieno, Hannah L. Walker, and Mathew R. Heal
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 7433–7459, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-7433-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-7433-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Radiation coming from the sun is essential to atmospheric chemistry, driving the breakup, or photodissociation, of atmospheric molecules. This in turn affects the chemical composition and reactivity of the atmosphere. The representation of photodissociation effects is therefore essential in atmospheric chemistry modeling. One such model is the EMEP MSC-W model, for which a new way of calculating the photodissociation rates is tested and evaluated in this paper.
Vladimir Savastiouk, Henri Diémoz, and C. Thomas McElroy
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4785–4806, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4785-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4785-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes a way to significantly improve ozone measurements at low sun elevations and large ozone amounts when using the Brewer ozone spectrophotometer. The proposed algorithm will allow more uniform ozone measurements across the monitoring network. This will contribute to more reliable trend analysis and support the satellite validation. This research contributes to better understanding the physics of the instrument, and the new algorithm is based on this new knowledge.
Akriti Masoom, Ilias Fountoulakis, Stelios Kazadzis, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Anna Kampouri, Basil E. Psiloglou, Dimitra Kouklaki, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Eleni Marinou, Stavros Solomos, Anna Gialitaki, Dimitra Founda, Vasileios Salamalikis, Dimitris Kaskaoutis, Natalia Kouremeti, Nikolaos Mihalopoulos, Vassilis Amiridis, Andreas Kazantzidis, Alexandros Papayannis, Christos S. Zerefos, and Kostas Eleftheratos
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8487–8514, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8487-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8487-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyse the spatial and temporal aerosol spectral optical properties during the extreme wildfires of August 2021 in Greece and assess their effects on air quality and solar radiation quantities related to health, agriculture, and energy. Different aerosol conditions are identified (pure smoke, pure dust, dust–smoke together); the largest impact on solar radiation quantities is found for cases with mixed dust–smoke aerosols. Such situations are expected to occur more frequently in the future.
G. Boccacci, F. Frasca, B. Bartolucci, L. Vergelli, C. Bertolin, and A. M. Siani
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLVIII-M-2-2023, 227–234, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-2-2023-227-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-M-2-2023-227-2023, 2023
Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Antonis Gkikas, Ilias Fountoulakis, Akriti Masoom, and Stelios Kazadzis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15703–15727, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15703-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15703-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Megacities' air quality is determined by atmospheric aerosols. We focus on changes over the last two decades in the 81 largest cities, using satellite data. European and American cities have lower aerosol compared to African and Asian cities. For European, North American and East Asian cities, aerosols are decreasing over time, especially in China and the US. In the remaining cities, aerosol loads are increasing, particularly in India.
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
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12827–12855, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
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.
Silvia Becagli, Elena Barbaro, Simone Bonamano, Laura Caiazzo, Alcide di Sarra, Matteo Feltracco, Paolo Grigioni, Jost Heintzenberg, Luigi Lazzara, Michel Legrand, Alice Madonia, Marco Marcelli, Chiara Melillo, Daniela Meloni, Caterina Nuccio, Giandomenico Pace, Ki-Tae Park, Suzanne Preunkert, Mirko Severi, Marco Vecchiato, Roberta Zangrando, and Rita Traversi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9245–9263, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9245-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9245-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements of phytoplanktonic dimethylsulfide and its oxidation products in the Antarctic atmosphere allow us to understand the role of the oceanic (sea ice melting, Chl α and dimethylsulfoniopropionate) and atmospheric (wind direction and speed, humidity, solar radiation and transport processes) factors in the biogenic aerosol formation, concentration and characteristic ratio between components in an Antarctic coastal site facing the polynya of the Ross Sea.
Dimitris Karagkiozidis, Martina Michaela Friedrich, Steffen Beirle, Alkiviadis Bais, François Hendrick, Kalliopi Artemis Voudouri, Ilias Fountoulakis, Angelos Karanikolas, Paraskevi Tzoumaka, Michel Van Roozendael, Dimitris Balis, and Thomas Wagner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1269–1301, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1269-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1269-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we focus on the retrieval of aerosol, NO2, and HCHO vertical profiles from multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations for the first time over Thessaloniki, Greece. We use two independent inversion algorithms for the profile retrievals. We evaluate their performance, we intercompare their results, and we validate their products with ancillary data, measured by other co-located reference instruments.
Monica Campanelli, Henri Diémoz, Anna Maria Siani, Alcide di Sarra, Anna Maria Iannarelli, Rei Kudo, Gabriele Fasano, Giampietro Casasanta, Luca Tofful, Marco Cacciani, Paolo Sanò, and Stefano Dietrich
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1171–1183, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1171-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1171-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The aerosol optical depth (AOD) characteristics in an urban area of Rome were retrieved over a period of 11 years (2010–2020) to determine, for the first time, their effect on the incoming ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation. The surface forcing efficiency shows that the AOD is the primary parameter affecting the surface irradiance in Rome, and it is found to be greater for smaller zenith angles and for larger and more absorbing particles in the UV range (such as, e.g., mineral dust).
Henri Diémoz, Anna Maria Siani, Stefano Casadio, Anna Maria Iannarelli, Giuseppe Rocco Casale, Vladimir Savastiouk, Alexander Cede, Martin Tiefengraber, and Moritz Müller
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4929–4950, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4929-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4929-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A 20-year (1996–2017) record of nitrogen dioxide column densities collected in Rome by a Brewer spectrophotometer is presented, together with the novel algorithm employed to re-evaluate the series. The high quality of the data is demonstrated by comparison with reference instrumentation, including a co-located Pandora spectrometer. The data can be used for satellite validation and identification of NO2 trends. The method can be replicated on other instruments of the international Brewer network.
Panagiotis G. Kosmopoulos, Stelios Kazadzis, Alois W. Schmalwieser, Panagiotis I. Raptis, Kyriakoula Papachristopoulou, Ilias Fountoulakis, Akriti Masoom, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Julia Bilbao, Mario Blumthaler, Axel Kreuter, Anna Maria Siani, Kostas Eleftheratos, Chrysanthi Topaloglou, Julian Gröbner, Bjørn Johnsen, Tove M. Svendby, Jose Manuel Vilaplana, Lionel Doppler, Ann R. Webb, Marina Khazova, Hugo De Backer, Anu Heikkilä, Kaisa Lakkala, Janusz Jaroslawski, Charikleia Meleti, Henri Diémoz, Gregor Hülsen, Barbara Klotz, John Rimmer, and Charalampos Kontoes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5657–5699, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5657-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5657-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Large-scale retrievals of the ultraviolet index (UVI) in real time by exploiting the modern Earth observation data and techniques are capable of forming operational early warning systems that raise awareness among citizens of the health implications of high UVI doses. In this direction a novel UVI operating system, the so-called UVIOS, was introduced for massive outputs, while its performance was tested against ground-based measurements revealing a dependence on the input quality and resolution.
Rei Kudo, Henri Diémoz, Victor Estellés, Monica Campanelli, Masahiro Momoi, Franco Marenco, Claire L. Ryder, Osamu Ijima, Akihiro Uchiyama, Kouichi Nakashima, Akihiro Yamazaki, Ryoji Nagasawa, Nozomu Ohkawara, and Haruma Ishida
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3395–3426, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3395-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3395-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A new method, Skyrad pack MRI version 2, was developed to retrieve aerosol physical and optical properties, water vapor, and ozone column concentrations from the sky radiometer, a filter radiometer deployed in the SKYNET international network. Our method showed good performance in a radiative closure study using surface solar irradiances from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network and a comparison using aircraft in situ measurements of Saharan dust events during the SAVEX-D 2015 campaign.
Kaisa Lakkala, Jukka Kujanpää, Colette Brogniez, Nicolas Henriot, Antti Arola, Margit Aun, Frédérique Auriol, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Germar Bernhard, Veerle De Bock, Maxime Catalfamo, Christine Deroo, Henri Diémoz, Luca Egli, Jean-Baptiste Forestier, Ilias Fountoulakis, Katerina Garane, Rosa Delia Garcia, Julian Gröbner, Seppo Hassinen, Anu Heikkilä, Stuart Henderson, Gregor Hülsen, Bjørn Johnsen, Niilo Kalakoski, Angelos Karanikolas, Tomi Karppinen, Kevin Lamy, Sergio F. León-Luis, Anders V. Lindfors, Jean-Marc Metzger, Fanny Minvielle, Harel B. Muskatel, Thierry Portafaix, Alberto Redondas, Ricardo Sanchez, Anna Maria Siani, Tove Svendby, and Johanna Tamminen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 6999–7024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6999-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6999-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite was launched on 13 October 2017 to provide the atmospheric composition for atmosphere and climate research. Ground-based data from 25 sites located in Arctic, subarctic, temperate, equatorial and Antarctic
areas were used for the validation of the TROPOMI surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation product. For most sites 60 %–80 % of TROPOMI data was within ± 20 % of ground-based data.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Henri Diémoz, Anna Maria Siani, Gregor Hülsen, and Julian Gröbner
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 2787–2810, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2787-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2787-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we discuss the procedures and the technical aspects which ensure the high quality of the measurements of the global solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiance performed by a Bentham spectroradiometer located at Aosta–Saint-Christophe (north-western Alps), Italy. This particular instrument is the reference for the Aosta Valley UV monitoring network, which is the first UV monitoring network in Italy. The final spectra constitute one of the most accurate datasets globally.
Yuri Galletti, Silvia Becagli, Alcide di Sarra, Margherita Gonnelli, Elvira Pulido-Villena, Damiano M. Sferlazzo, Rita Traversi, Stefano Vestri, and Chiara Santinelli
Biogeosciences, 17, 3669–3684, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3669-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3669-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This paper reports the first data about atmospheric deposition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the island of Lampedusa. It also shows the implications for the surface marine layer by studying the impact of atmospheric organic carbon deposition in the marine ecosystem. It is a preliminary study, but it is pioneering and important for having new data that can be crucial in order to understand the impact of atmospheric deposition on the marine carbon cycle in a global climate change scenario.
Marc D. Mallet, Barbara D'Anna, Aurélie Même, Maria Chiara Bove, Federico Cassola, Giandomenico Pace, Karine Desboeufs, Claudia Di Biagio, Jean-Francois Doussin, Michel Maille, Dario Massabò, Jean Sciare, Pascal Zapf, Alcide Giorgio di Sarra, and Paola Formenti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 11123–11142, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11123-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-11123-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We present findings from a summertime field campaign at the remote island of Lampedusa in the central Mediterranean Sea. We show that the aerosol loading is similar to coastal sites around the Mediterranean. We observe higher loadings of sulfate and aged organic aerosol from air masses transported over the central and eastern Mediterranean in comparison to those from the western Mediterranean. These results highlight the rarity of pristine air masses, even in remote marine environments.
Henri Diémoz, Gian Paolo Gobbi, Tiziana Magri, Giordano Pession, Sara Pittavino, Ivan K. F. Tombolato, Monica Campanelli, and Francesca Barnaba
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 10129–10160, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-10129-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-10129-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In a companion paper, we investigated airmass exchanges from the Po plain to the Alps through detailed case studies. Here (part 2) we use 3 years of multi-sensor observations and models to quantify the long-term impact of transport on air quality (>25% on PM10) and aerosol physico-chemical characteristics. We quantify the frequency of occurrence (up to 70% of days) in relation to meteorology (wind flows). We also show how the experimental results can improve air-quality forecasting capabilities.
Henri Diémoz, Francesca Barnaba, Tiziana Magri, Giordano Pession, Davide Dionisi, Sara Pittavino, Ivan K. F. Tombolato, Monica Campanelli, Lara Sofia Della Ceca, Maxime Hervo, Luca Di Liberto, Luca Ferrero, and Gian Paolo Gobbi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3065–3095, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3065-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-3065-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We assess the impact of air masses transported from the Po basin on the particulate matter (PM) levels in the northwestern Alps using multi-sensor observations from ground and space, and models. In this part 1 of the study, we investigate the phenomenon through three selected case studies representative of different seasons. We show that advected aerosols remarkably degrade the air quality of the Alpine area (PM10 increasing up to >100 µg m−3) and we discuss the measurement–model discrepancies.
Davide Dionisi, Francesca Barnaba, Henri Diémoz, Luca Di Liberto, and Gian Paolo Gobbi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 6013–6042, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-6013-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-6013-2018, 2018
Luca Naitza, Davide Putero, Angela Marinoni, Francescopiero Calzolari, Fabrizio Roccato, Maurizio Busetto, Damiano Sferlazzo, Eleonora Aruffo, Piero Di Carlo, Mariantonia Bencardino, Francesco D'Amore, Francesca Sprovieri, Nicola Pirrone, Federico Dallo, Jacopo Gabrieli, Massimiliano Vardè, Carlo Barbante, Paolo Bonasoni, and Paolo Cristofanelli
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2018-245, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2018-245, 2018
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
We implemented a prototype of a centralized system to support atmospheric observatories in data production and submission. By using the “R” Language, for several near-surface ECVs, we developed specific routines for data filtering, flagging, formatting, and creation of data products for detecting instrumental problems or special atmospheric events. Our effort would improve atmospheric data quality, accelerate the process of data submission and make the data flagging more “objective".
Anna Maria Siani, Francesca Frasca, Francesco Scarlatti, Arianna Religi, Henri Diémoz, Giuseppe R. Casale, Massimiliano Pedone, and Volodya Savastiouk
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 5105–5123, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5105-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5105-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Total ozone columns (TOCs) measured by Brewer spectrophotometers located at Rome and Aosta (Italy) were calculated using different processing software packages, and the differences in the TOC retrievals are investigated. Large differences in TOC retrievals can be experienced when the instrumental sensitivity exhibits a long-term drift. The variability in TOC retrievals depends on the algorithm for calculating the standard lamp correction.
Alberto Berjón, Alberto Redondas, Meelis-Mait Sildoja, Saulius Nevas, Keith Wilson, Sergio F. León-Luis, Omar el Gawhary, and Ilias Fountoulakis
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 3323–3337, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3323-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3323-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The Brewer spectrophotometer has been used for decades as reference instrument to retrieve total ozone column (TOC) and for validation of satellite based measurements. This spectrophotometer has a thermal sensitivity already known, which is usually characterized using two different retrieval procedures. In this work, we report on a comparative study of the temperature coefficients retrieval procedures, obtaining differences less that 0.08 % in TOC when using any of the procedures.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
Daniela Meloni, Alcide di Sarra, Gérard Brogniez, Cyrielle Denjean, Lorenzo De Silvestri, Tatiana Di Iorio, Paola Formenti, José L. Gómez-Amo, Julian Gröbner, Natalia Kouremeti, Giuliano Liuzzi, Marc Mallet, Giandomenico Pace, and Damiano M. Sferlazzo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 4377–4401, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4377-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4377-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines how different aerosol optical properties determine the dust longwave radiative effects at the surface, in the atmosphere and at the top of the atmosphere, based on the combination of remote sensing and in situ observations from the ground, from airborne sensors, and from space, by means of radiative transfer modelling. The closure experiment is based on longwave irradiances and spectral brightness temperatures measured during the 2013 ChArMEx–ADRIMED campaign at Lampedusa.
Javier López-Solano, Alberto Redondas, Thomas Carlund, Juan J. Rodriguez-Franco, Henri Diémoz, Sergio F. León-Luis, Bentorey Hernández-Cruz, Carmen Guirado-Fuentes, Natalia Kouremeti, Julian Gröbner, Stelios Kazadzis, Virgilio Carreño, Alberto Berjón, Daniel Santana-Díaz, Manuel Rodríguez-Valido, Veerle De Bock, Juan R. Moreta, John Rimmer, Andrew R. D. Smedley, Lamine Boulkelia, Nis Jepsen, Paul Eriksen, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Vadim Shirotov, José M. Vilaplana, Keith M. Wilson, and Tomi Karppinen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 3885–3902, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3885-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3885-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The European Brewer Network (EUBREWNET, COST Action ES1207) is comprised of close to 50 instruments and currently provides near-real-time ozone and UV data. Aerosols also play key role in the Earth–atmosphere system and introduce a large uncertainty into our understanding of climate change. In this work we describe and validate a method to incorporate the measurement of aerosols in EUBREWNET. We find that this Brewer network can provide reliable aerosol data across Europe in the UV range.
Stelios Kazadzis, Natalia Kouremeti, Henri Diémoz, Julian Gröbner, Bruce W. Forgan, Monica Campanelli, Victor Estellés, Kathleen Lantz, Joseph Michalsky, Thomas Carlund, Emilio Cuevas, Carlos Toledano, Ralf Becker, Stephan Nyeki, Panagiotis G. Kosmopoulos, Viktar Tatsiankou, Laurent Vuilleumier, Frederick M. Denn, Nozomu Ohkawara, Osamu Ijima, Philippe Goloub, Panagiotis I. Raptis, Michael Milner, Klaus Behrens, Africa Barreto, Giovanni Martucci, Emiel Hall, James Wendell, Bryan E. Fabbri, and Christoph Wehrli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 3185–3201, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3185-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-3185-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol optical depth measured from ground-based sun photometers is the most important parameter for studying the changes in the Earth's radiation balance due to aerosols. Representatives for various sun photometer types belonging to individual institutions or international aerosol networks gather every 5 years, for 3 weeks, in Davos, Switzerland, in order to compare their aeorosol optical depth retrievals. This work presents the results of the latest (fourth) filter radiometer intercomparison.
Monica Campanelli, Alessandra Mascitelli, Paolo Sanò, Henri Diémoz, Victor Estellés, Stefano Federico, Anna Maria Iannarelli, Francesca Fratarcangeli, Augusto Mazzoni, Eugenio Realini, Mattia Crespi, Olivier Bock, Jose A. Martínez-Lozano, and Stefano Dietrich
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 81–94, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-81-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-81-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The estimation of precipitable water vapour (W) content is of great interest in both meteorological and climatological studies. Sun photometers allowed the development of W automatic estimations with high temporal resolution. A new methodology, based on the hypothesis that the calibration parameters characterizing the atmospheric transmittance are dependent on vertical profiles of temperature, air pressure and moisture typical of each measurement site, has been presented providing good results.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alberto Redondas, Kaisa Lakkala, Alberto Berjon, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Lionel Doppler, Uwe Feister, Anu Heikkila, Tomi Karppinen, Juha M. Karhu, Tapani Koskela, Katerina Garane, Konstantinos Fragkos, and Volodya Savastiouk
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4491–4505, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4491-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4491-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Results of the temperature characterization of the global UV spectral measurements of eight different Brewer spectrophotometers operating in Greece, Finland, Germany and Spain are presented. Different temperature characterization methods are evaluated and an improved methodology for the correction of the measurements for the effects of temperature is presented.
Stefano Federico, Rosa Claudia Torcasio, Paolo Sanò, Daniele Casella, Monica Campanelli, Jan Fokke Meirink, Ping Wang, Stefania Vergari, Henri Diémoz, and Stefano Dietrich
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2337–2352, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2337-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2337-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we evaluate the performance of two estimates of the global horizontal irradiance (GHI), one derived from the Meteosat Second Generation and one from a meteorological model (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System) forecast. The focus area is Italy, and the performance is evaluated for 12 pyranometers spanning a range of climate conditions, from Mediterranean maritime to Alpine.
Melina-Maria Zempila, Jos H. G. M. van Geffen, Michael Taylor, Ilias Fountoulakis, Maria-Elissavet Koukouli, Michiel van Weele, Ronald J. van der A, Alkiviadis Bais, Charikleia Meleti, and Dimitrios Balis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 7157–7174, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7157-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7157-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
NILU irradiances at five UV channels were used to produce CIE, vitamin D, and DNA- damage daily doses via a neural network (NN) model. The NN was trained with collocated weighted Brewer spectra and uncertainty in the NILU-derived UV effective doses was 7.5 %. TEMIS UV products were found to be ~ 12.5 % higher than the NILU estimates. The results improve for cloud-free days with differences of 0.57 % for CIE, 1.22 % for vitamin D, and 1.18 % for DNA damage, with standard deviations of ~ 11–13 %.
Giuliano Liuzzi, Guido Masiello, Carmine Serio, Daniela Meloni, Claudia Di Biagio, and Paola Formenti
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 599–615, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-599-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-599-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In this work we have given a contribution to better understand some of the properties of the desert dust plumes in the western Mediterranean, using both direct measurements and satellite observations. This study has mainly evidenced that satellite observations can provide information about the geographical provenance of dust. This is important because such variability is reflected in the way in which dust interacts with atmosphere and impacts over the observed infrared radiation from satellites.
Silvia Becagli, Fabrizio Anello, Carlo Bommarito, Federico Cassola, Giulia Calzolai, Tatiana Di Iorio, Alcide di Sarra, José-Luis Gómez-Amo, Franco Lucarelli, Miriam Marconi, Daniela Meloni, Francesco Monteleone, Silvia Nava, Giandomenico Pace, Mirko Severi, Damiano Massimiliano Sferlazzo, Rita Traversi, and Roberto Udisti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 2067–2084, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-2067-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-2067-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The paper aims to implement a specific strategy to target the aerosol due to ship emissions. PM10 is collected south and north of the main shipping route through the Mediterranean. Other than ions and metals the analysis is complemented with measurements of rare earth elements, trajectories from a high resolution regional model and actual observations of ship traffic. The combination of these approaches allows for unambiguous identification of the ship contribution (8–11 % of PM10) in this area.
Christos S. Zerefos, Kostas Eleftheratos, John Kapsomenakis, Stavros Solomos, Antje Inness, Dimitris Balis, Alberto Redondas, Henk Eskes, Marc Allaart, Vassilis Amiridis, Arne Dahlback, Veerle De Bock, Henri Diémoz, Ronny Engelmann, Paul Eriksen, Vitali Fioletov, Julian Gröbner, Anu Heikkilä, Irina Petropavlovskikh, Janusz Jarosławski, Weine Josefsson, Tomi Karppinen, Ulf Köhler, Charoula Meleti, Christos Repapis, John Rimmer, Vladimir Savinykh, Vadim Shirotov, Anna Maria Siani, Andrew R. D. Smedley, Martin Stanek, and René Stübi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 551–574, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-551-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-551-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The paper makes a convincing case that the Brewer network is capable of detecting enhanced SO2 columns, as observed, e.g., after volcanic eruptions. For this reason, large volcanic eruptions of the past decade have been used to detect and forecast SO2 plumes of volcanic origin using the Brewer and other ground-based networks, aided by satellite, trajectory analysis calculations and modelling.
Julie Vincent, Benoit Laurent, Rémi Losno, Elisabeth Bon Nguyen, Pierre Roullet, Stéphane Sauvage, Servanne Chevaillier, Patrice Coddeville, Noura Ouboulmane, Alcide Giorgio di Sarra, Antonio Tovar-Sánchez, Damiano Sferlazzo, Ana Massanet, Sylvain Triquet, Rafael Morales Baquero, Michel Fornier, Cyril Coursier, Karine Desboeufs, François Dulac, and Gilles Bergametti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 8749–8766, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-8749-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-8749-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
To investigate dust deposition dynamics at the regional scale, five automatic deposition collectors named CARAGA have been deployed in the western Mediterranean basin (Lampedusa, Majorca, Corsica, Frioul and Le Casset) during 1 to 3 years depending on the station. Complementary observations provided by both satellite and air mass trajectories are used to identify the dust provenance areas and the transport pathways from the Sahara to the stations for the studied period.
Pasquale Sellitto, Alcide di Sarra, Stefano Corradini, Marie Boichu, Hervé Herbin, Philippe Dubuisson, Geneviève Sèze, Daniela Meloni, Francesco Monteleone, Luca Merucci, Justin Rusalem, Giuseppe Salerno, Pierre Briole, and Bernard Legras
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 6841–6861, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6841-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-6841-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We combine plume dispersion and radiative transfer modelling, and satellite and surface remote sensing observations to study the regional influence of a relatively weak volcanic eruption from Mount Etna (25–27 October 2013) on the optical/micro-physical properties of Mediterranean aerosols. Our results indicate that even relatively weak volcanic eruptions may produce an observable effect on the aerosol properties at the regional scale, with a significant impact on the regional radiative balance.
Henri Diémoz, Kostas Eleftheratos, Stelios Kazadzis, Vassilis Amiridis, and Christos S. Zerefos
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1871–1888, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1871-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1871-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
A new algorithm allowed to retrieve aerosol optical depths from a Brewer spectrophotometer in Athens with excellent agreement with AERONET. The instrument radiometric stability and the performances of in situ Langley extrapolations as a way to track it are investigated. Potential sources of error and recommendations to operators are reported. MkIV Brewers represent a great source of information about aerosols in the past decades and a promising worldwide network for coordinated AOD measurements.
Ilias Fountoulakis, Alberto Redondas, Alkiviadis F. Bais, Juan José Rodriguez-Franco, Konstantinos Fragkos, and Alexander Cede
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 1799–1816, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1799-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1799-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The dead time (DT) is characteristic for each Brewer spectrophotometer and non-proper correction of the raw data for its effect may lead to important errors in UV, AOD and TOC measurements. Quantitative estimation of the DT-related uncertainties shown that a 2 ns error in the DT may lead to errors greater than 1 % in TOC. The operational algorithm for the DT calculation and correction is validated and the development of new methods for the estimation of DT is described.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
S. Mailler, L. Menut, A. G. di Sarra, S. Becagli, T. Di Iorio, B. Bessagnet, R. Briant, P. Formenti, J.-F. Doussin, J. L. Gómez-Amo, M. Mallet, G. Rea, G. Siour, D. M. Sferlazzo, R. Traversi, R. Udisti, and S. Turquety
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 1219–1244, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-1219-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-1219-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the impact of aerosols on tropospheric photolysis rates at Lampedusa during the CharMEx/ADRIMED campaign in June 2013. It is shown by using the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model (CTM) as well as in situ and remote-sensing measurements that taking into account the radiative effect of the tropospheric aerosols improves the ability of the model to reproduce the observed photolysis rates. It is hence important for CTMs to include the radiative effect of aerosols on photochemistry.
M. Mallet, F. Dulac, P. Formenti, P. Nabat, J. Sciare, G. Roberts, J. Pelon, G. Ancellet, D. Tanré, F. Parol, C. Denjean, G. Brogniez, A. di Sarra, L. Alados-Arboledas, J. Arndt, F. Auriol, L. Blarel, T. Bourrianne, P. Chazette, S. Chevaillier, M. Claeys, B. D'Anna, Y. Derimian, K. Desboeufs, T. Di Iorio, J.-F. Doussin, P. Durand, A. Féron, E. Freney, C. Gaimoz, P. Goloub, J. L. Gómez-Amo, M. J. Granados-Muñoz, N. Grand, E. Hamonou, I. Jankowiak, M. Jeannot, J.-F. Léon, M. Maillé, S. Mailler, D. Meloni, L. Menut, G. Momboisse, J. Nicolas, T. Podvin, V. Pont, G. Rea, J.-B. Renard, L. Roblou, K. Schepanski, A. Schwarzenboeck, K. Sellegri, M. Sicard, F. Solmon, S. Somot, B Torres, J. Totems, S. Triquet, N. Verdier, C. Verwaerde, F. Waquet, J. Wenger, and P. Zapf
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 455–504, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-455-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-455-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The aim of this article is to present an experimental campaign over the Mediterranean focused on aerosol-radiation measurements and modeling. Results indicate an important atmospheric loading associated with a moderate absorbing ability of mineral dust. Observations suggest a complex vertical structure and size distributions characterized by large aerosols within dust plumes. The radiative effect is highly variable, with negative forcing over the Mediterranean and positive over northern Africa.
G. Calzolai, S. Nava, F. Lucarelli, M. Chiari, M. Giannoni, S. Becagli, R. Traversi, M. Marconi, D. Frosini, M. Severi, R. Udisti, A. di Sarra, G. Pace, D. Meloni, C. Bommarito, F. Monteleone, F. Anello, and D. M. Sferlazzo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 13939–13955, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-13939-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-13939-2015, 2015
P. Nabat, S. Somot, M. Mallet, M. Michou, F. Sevault, F. Driouech, D. Meloni, A. di Sarra, C. Di Biagio, P. Formenti, M. Sicard, J.-F. Léon, and M.-N. Bouin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 3303–3326, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3303-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3303-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This paper uses an original approach based on a coupled regional aerosol--atmosphere--ocean model to study the dust radiative effects over the Mediterranean in summer 2012. After an evaluation of the prognostic aerosol scheme, the dust aerosol daily variability is shown to improve the simulated surface radiation and temperature at the daily scale. It has also a significant impact on the summer average, thus highlighting the importance of a relevant representation of aerosols in climate models.
H. Diémoz, A. M. Siani, A. Redondas, V. Savastiouk, C. T. McElroy, M. Navarro-Comas, and F. Hase
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 4009–4022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-4009-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-4009-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
- A new algorithm to retrieve nitrogen dioxide by Brewer spectrophotometers was developed.
- Direct sun and zenith sky data recorded at the Izaña observatory were processed with the new algorithm and compared to co-located reference instruments.
- The measurement uncertainty was thoroughly determined by using a Monte Carlo technique.
- The new algorithm can be applied to more than 60 Brewers around the world.
M. Marconi, D. M. Sferlazzo, S. Becagli, C. Bommarito, G. Calzolai, M. Chiari, A. di Sarra, C. Ghedini, J. L. Gómez-Amo, F. Lucarelli, D. Meloni, F. Monteleone, S. Nava, G. Pace, S. Piacentino, F. Rugi, M. Severi, R. Traversi, and R. Udisti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 2039–2054, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-2039-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-2039-2014, 2014
E. Pichelli, R. Ferretti, M. Cacciani, A. M. Siani, V. Ciardini, and T. Di Iorio
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 315–332, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-315-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-315-2014, 2014
A. di Sarra, D. Fuà, and D. Meloni
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 5647–5654, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5647-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5647-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Radiation | Research Activity: Field Measurements | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
First reported detection of a winter continental gamma-ray glow in Europe
Broadband and filter radiometers at Ross Island, Antarctica: detection of cloud ice phase versus liquid water influences on shortwave and longwave radiation
Tethered balloon-borne observations of thermal-infrared irradiance and cooling rate profiles in the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer
Assessing the cloud radiative bias at Macquarie Island in the ACCESS-AM2 model
Surface energy balance fluxes in a suburban area of Beijing: energy partitioning variability
Effects of variable ice–ocean surface properties and air mass transformation on the Arctic radiative energy budget
Airborne observations of the surface cloud radiative effect during different seasons over sea ice and open ocean in the Fram Strait
Assessment of spectral UV radiation at Marambio Base, Antarctic Peninsula
Parameterization of downward long-wave radiation based on long-term baseline surface radiation measurements in China
An assessment of land energy balance over East Asia from multiple lines of evidence and the roles of the Tibet Plateau, aerosols, and clouds
Ozone, DNA-active UV radiation, and cloud changes for the near-global mean and at high latitudes due to enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations
In situ observation of warm atmospheric layer and the heat contribution of suspended dust over the Tarim Basin
Eight-year variations in atmospheric radiocesium in Fukushima city
Fifty-six years of surface solar radiation and sunshine duration over São Paulo, Brazil: 1961–2016
Changes in the surface broadband shortwave radiation budget during the 2017 eclipse
Reassessment of shortwave surface cloud radiative forcing in the Arctic: consideration of surface-albedo–cloud interactions
Deposition of brown carbon onto snow: changes in snow optical and radiative properties
Solar UV radiation measurements in Marambio, Antarctica, during years 2017–2019
A revisiting of the parametrization of downward longwave radiation in summer over the Tibetan Plateau based on high-temporal-resolution measurements
Trends in surface radiation and cloud radiative effect at four Swiss sites for the 1996–2015 period
Can downwelling far-infrared radiances over Antarctica be estimated from mid-infrared information?
Measurements of spectral irradiance during the solar eclipse of 21 August 2017: reassessment of the effect of solar limb darkening and of changes in total ozone
UV measurements at Marambio and Ushuaia during 2000–2010
On the suitability of current atmospheric reanalyses for regional warming studies over China
A long-term time series of global and diffuse photosynthetically active radiation in the Mediterranean: interannual variability and cloud effects
Long-term series and trends in surface solar radiation in Athens, Greece
Reconstruction and analysis of erythemal UV radiation time series from Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) over the past 50 years
Trends in erythemal doses at the Polish Polar Station, Hornsund, Svalbard based on the homogenized measurements (1996–2016) and reconstructed data (1983–1995)
Effects of vernal equinox solar eclipse on temperature and wind direction in Switzerland
Sky radiance at a coastline and effects of land and ocean reflectivities
Impact of aerosols and clouds on decadal trends in all-sky solar radiation over the Netherlands (1966–2015)
Contributions of surface solar radiation and precipitation to the spatiotemporal patterns of surface and air warming in China from 1960 to 2003
Multiresolution analysis of the spatiotemporal variability in global radiation observed by a dense network of 99 pyranometers
Validation of satellite-based noontime UVI with NDACC ground-based instruments: influence of topography, environment and satellite overpass time
Is global dimming and brightening in Japan limited to urban areas?
The climatology of planetary boundary layer height in China derived from radiosonde and reanalysis data
Detection of dimming/brightening in Italy from homogenized all-sky and clear-sky surface solar radiation records and underlying causes (1959–2013)
Comparison of land–atmosphere interaction at different surface types in the mid- to lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley
Spectral optical layer properties of cirrus from collocated airborne measurements and simulations
Local short-term variability in solar irradiance
The contrasting roles of water and dust in controlling daily variations in radiative heating of the summertime Saharan heat low
Global dimming and urbanization: did stronger negative SSR trends collocate with regions of population growth?
Short- and long-term variability of spectral solar UV irradiance at Thessaloniki, Greece: effects of changes in aerosols, total ozone and clouds
On the progress of the 2015–2016 El Niño event
Role of radiatively forced temperature changes in enhanced semi-arid warming in the cold season over east Asia
Assessment of long-term WRF–CMAQ simulations for understanding direct aerosol effects on radiation "brightening" in the United States
Comparison of OMI UV observations with ground-based measurements at high northern latitudes
Characterisation of J(O1D) at Cape Grim 2000–2005
On the scaling of the solar incident flux
Analysis of actinic flux profiles measured from an ozonesonde balloon
Jakub Šlegl, Zbyněk Sokol, Petr Pešice, Ronald Langer, Igor Strhárský, Jana Popová, Martin Kákona, Iva Ambrožová, and Ondřej Ploc
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8443–8454, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8443-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8443-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present the first-ever reported gamma-ray glows from a winter thunderstorm in continental Europe. Although two glows were detected at the same time, only one was ended by a discharge. Using advanced instruments such as the Ka-band vertically oriented Doppler radar and SEVAN detector, we gained new insights into the inner thunderstorm processes even in a cloud only 3 km in height.
Kristopher Scarci, Ryan C. Scott, Madison L. Ghiz, Andrew M. Vogelmann, and Dan Lubin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6681–6697, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6681-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6681-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We demonstrate what can be learned about an Antarctic region's climate from basic atmospheric irradiance measurements made by broadband and filter radiometers, instruments suitable for deployment at very remote sites, assisted by meteorological reanalysis and satellite remote sensing. Analysis of shortwave and longwave irradiance reveals subtle contrasts between meteorological regimes favoring cloud ice versus liquid water, relevant to onset versus inhibition of surface melt over ice shelves.
Michael Lonardi, Elisa F. Akansu, André Ehrlich, Mauro Mazzola, Christian Pilz, Matthew D. Shupe, Holger Siebert, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 1961–1978, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1961-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-1961-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Profiles of thermal-infrared irradiance were measured at two Arctic sites. The presence or lack of clouds influences the vertical structure of these observations. In particular, the cloud top region is a source of radiative energy that can promote cooling and mixing in the cloud layer. Simulations are used to further characterize how the amount of water in the cloud modifies this forcing. A case study additionally showcases the evolution of the radiation profiles in a dynamic atmosphere.
Zhangcheng Pei, Sonya L. Fiddes, W. John R. French, Simon P. Alexander, Marc D. Mallet, Peter Kuma, and Adrian McDonald
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14691–14714, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14691-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14691-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we use ground-based observations to evaluate a climate model and a satellite product in simulating surface radiation and investigate how radiation biases are influenced by cloud properties over the Southern Ocean. We find that significant radiation biases exist in both the model and satellite. The cloud fraction and cloud occurrence play an important role in affecting radiation biases. We suggest further development for the model and satellite using ground-based observations.
Junxia Dou, Sue Grimmond, Shiguang Miao, Bei Huang, Huimin Lei, and Mingshui Liao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 13143–13166, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13143-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13143-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Multi-timescale variations in surface energy fluxes in a suburb of Beijing are analyzed using 16-month observations. Compared to previous suburban areas, this study site has larger seasonal variability in energy partitioning, and summer and winter Bowen ratios are at the lower and higher end of those at other suburban sites, respectively. Our analysis indicates that precipitation, irrigation, crop/vegetation growth activity, and land use/cover all play critical roles in energy partitioning.
Manfred Wendisch, Johannes Stapf, Sebastian Becker, André Ehrlich, Evelyn Jäkel, Marcus Klingebiel, Christof Lüpkes, Michael Schäfer, and Matthew D. Shupe
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9647–9667, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9647-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9647-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric radiation measurements have been conducted during two field campaigns using research aircraft. The data are analyzed to see if the near-surface air in the Arctic is warmed or cooled if warm–humid air masses from the south enter the Arctic or cold–dry air moves from the north from the Arctic to mid-latitude areas. It is important to study these processes and to check if climate models represent them well. Otherwise it is not possible to reliably forecast the future Arctic climate.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 12827–12855, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-12827-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
C. A. Varotsos, S. Lovejoy, N. V. Sarlis, C. G. Tzanis, and M. N. Efstathiou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7301–7306, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7301-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7301-2015, 2015
Short summary
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.
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
Short summary
Short summary
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.
Cited articles
AIRS: Aqua/AIRS L3 Monthly Standard Physical Retrieval (AIRS-only) 1 degree ∘ 1 degree V7.0, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and
Information Services Center (GES DISC) [data set],
https://doi.org/10.5067/UBENJB9D3T2H, 2019. a
Bais, A. F., Zerefos, C. S., Meleti, C., Ziomas, I. C., and Tourpali, K.:
Spectral measurements of solar UVB radiation and its relations to total
ozone, SO2, and clouds, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 98,
5199–5204, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD02904, 1993. a
Bais, A. F., Gardiner, B. G., Slaper, H., Blumthaler, M., Bernhard, G.,
McKenzie, R., Webb, A. R., Seckmeyer, G., Kjeldstad, B., Koskela, T., Kirsch,
P. J., Gröbner, J., Kerr, J. B., Kazadzis, S., Leszczynski, K., Wardle,
D., Josefsson, W., Brogniez, C., Gillotay, D., Reinen, H., Weihs, P., Svenoe,
T., Eriksen, P., Kuik, F., and Redondas, A.: SUSPEN intercomparison of
ultraviolet spectroradiometers, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 106, 12509–12525,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD900561, 2001. a
Ball, W. T., Alsing, J., Mortlock, D. J., Staehelin, J., Haigh, J. D., Peter, T., Tummon, F., Stübi, R., Stenke, A., Anderson, J., Bourassa, A., Davis, S. M., Degenstein, D., Frith, S., Froidevaux, L., Roth, C., Sofieva, V., Wang, R., Wild, J., Yu, P., Ziemke, J. R., and Rozanov, E. V.: Evidence for a continuous decline in lower stratospheric ozone offsetting ozone layer recovery, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 1379–1394, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1379-2018, 2018. a
Ball, W. T., Alsing, J., Staehelin, J., Davis, S. M., Froidevaux, L., and Peter, T.: Stratospheric ozone trends for 1985–2018: sensitivity to recent large variability, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 12731–12748, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-12731-2019, 2019. a, b
Bednarz, E. M., Maycock, A. C., Abraham, N. L., Braesicke, P., Dessens, O., and Pyle, J. A.: Future Arctic ozone recovery: the importance of chemistry and dynamics, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12159–12176, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12159-2016, 2016. a
Bernhard, G. and Stierle, S.: Trends of UV Radiation in Antarctica, Atmosphere, 11, 795–820,
https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11080795, 2020. a, b
Bornman, J. F., Barnes, P. W., Robson, T. M., Robinson, S. A., Jansen, M.
A. K., Ballaré, C. L., and Flint, S. D.: Linkages between
stratospheric ozone, UV radiation and climate change and their implications
for terrestrial ecosystems, Photoch. Photobio. Sci., 18,
681–716, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PP90061B, 2019. a
Caldwell, M. M., Björn, L. O., Bornman, J. F., Flint, S. D.,
Kulandaivelu, G., Teramura, A. H., and Tevini, M.: Effects of increased
solar ultraviolet radiation on terrestrial ecosystems, J.
Photoch. Photobio. B, 46, 40–52,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1011-1344(98)00184-5, 1998. a
Calkins, J. and Thordardottir, T.: The ecological significance of solar UV
radiation on aquatic organisms, Nature, 283, 563–566,
https://doi.org/10.1038/283563a0, 1980. a
Casale, G. R., Meloni, D., Miano, S., Palmieri, S., Siani, A. M., and
Cappellani, F.: Solar UV-B irradiance and total ozone in Italy: Fluctuations
and trends, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105, 4895–4901,
https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JD900303, 2000. a
Chubarova, N. E., Pastukhova, A. S., Zhdanova, E. Y., Volpert, E. V.,
Smyshlyaev, S. P., and Galin, V. Y.: Effects of Ozone and Clouds on Temporal
Variability of Surface UV Radiation and UV Resources over Northern Eurasia
Derived from Measurements and Modeling, Atmosphere, 11, 59–87, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11010059, 2020. a
Dameris, M., Loyola, D. G., Nützel, M., Coldewey-Egbers, M., Lerot, C., Romahn, F., and van Roozendael, M.: Record low ozone values over the Arctic in boreal spring 2020, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 617–633, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-617-2021, 2021. a
De Bock, V., De Backer, H., Van Malderen, R., Mangold, A., and Delcloo, A.: Relations between erythemal UV dose, global solar radiation, total ozone column and aerosol optical depth at Uccle, Belgium, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12251–12270, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12251-2014, 2014. a, b
Di Ianni, A., Costabile, F., Barnaba, F., Di Liberto, L., Weinhold, K.,
Wiedensohler, A., Struckmeier, C., Drewnick, F., and Gobbi, G. P.: Black
Carbon Aerosol in Rome (Italy): Inference of a Long-Term (2001–2017) Record
and Related Trends from AERONET Sun-Photometry Data, Atmosphere, 9, 81–104,
https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9030081, 2018. a
di Sarra, A., Cacciani, M., Chamard, P., Cornwall, C., DeLuisi, J. J., Di
Iorio, T., Disterhoft, P., Fiocco, G., Fuá, D., and Monteleone, F.:
Effects of desert dust and ozone on the ultraviolet irradiance at the
Mediterranean island of Lampedusa during PAUR II, J. Geophys.
Res.-Atmos., 107, PAU 2-1–PAU 2-14,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD000139, 2002. a, b
di Sarra, A., Fua, D., Cacciani, M., Di Iorio, T., Disterhoft, P., Meloni,
D., Monteleone, F., Piacentino, S., and Sferlazzo, D.: Determination of
ultraviolet cosine-corrected irradiances and aerosol optical thickness by
combined measurements with a Brewer spectrophotometer and a multifilter
rotating shadowband radiometer, Appl. Optics, 47, 6142–6150,
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.47.006142, 2008. a, b, c
Diémoz, H., Siani, A. M., Casale, G. R., di Sarra, A., Serpillo, B., Petkov, B., Scaglione, S., Bonino, A., Facta, S., Fedele, F., Grifoni, D., Verdi, L., and Zipoli, G.: First national intercomparison of solar ultraviolet radiometers in Italy, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 4, 1689–1703, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-4-1689-2011, 2011. a
Dobson, G. M. B., Brewer, A. W., and Cwilong, B. M.: Meteorology of the lower
stratosphere, P. Roy. Soc. Med., 185, 144–175,
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1946.0010, 1946. a
Eleftheratos, K., Kazadzis, S., Zerefos, C. S., Tourpali, K., Meleti, C.,
Balis, D., Zyrichidou, I., Lakkala, K., Feister, U., Koskela, T.,
Heikkilä, A., and Karhu, J. M.: Ozone and Spectroradiometric UV
Changes in the Past 20 Years over High Latitudes, Atmos.-Ocean, 53,
117–125, https://doi.org/10.1080/07055900.2014.919897, 2015. a
Eleftheratos, K., Kapsomenakis, J., Zerefos, C. S., Bais, A. F., Fountoulakis,
I., Dameris, M., Jöckel, P., Haslerud, A. S., Godin-Beekmann, S.,
Steinbrecht, W., Petropavlovskikh, I., Brogniez, C., Leblanc, T., Liley,
J. B., Querel, R., and Swart, D. P. J.: Possible Effects of Greenhouse Gases
to Ozone Profiles and DNA Active UV-B Irradiance at Ground Level, Atmosphere, 11, 228–245,
https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11030228, 2020. a
Fioletov, V. E., Kerr, J. B., McElroy, C. T., Wardle, D. I., Savastiouk, V.,
and Grajnar, T. S.: The Brewer reference triad, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 32, L20805, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL024244, 2005. a
Fitzka, M., Simic, S., and Hadzimustafic, J.: Trends in spectral UV radiation
from long-term measurements at Hoher Sonnblick, Austria, Theor.
Appl. Climatol., 110, 585–593, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-012-0684-0, 2012. a
Fountoulakis, I., Bais, A. F., Fragkos, K., Meleti, C., Tourpali, K., and Zempila, M. M.: Short- and long-term variability of spectral solar UV irradiance at Thessaloniki, Greece: effects of changes in aerosols, total ozone and clouds, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2493–2505, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2493-2016, 2016. a, b
Fountoulakis, I., Zerefos, C. S., Bais, A. F., Kapsomenakis, J., Koukouli,
M.-E., Ohkawara, N., Fioletov, V., De Backer, H., Lakkala, K., Karppinen,
T., and Webb, A. R.: Twenty-five years of spectral UV-B measurements over
Canada, Europe and Japan: Trends and effects from changes in ozone, aerosols,
clouds, and surface reflectivity, CR Geosci., 350, 393–402,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2018.07.011, 2018. a
Fountoulakis, I., Diémoz, H., Siani, A. M., Hülsen, G., and Gröbner, J.: Monitoring of solar spectral ultraviolet irradiance in Aosta, Italy, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 2787–2810, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-2787-2020, 2020a. a, b
Fountoulakis, I., Diémoz, H., Siani, A.-M., Laschewski, G., Filippa, G.,
Arola, A., Bais, A. F., De Backer, H., Lakkala, K., Webb, A. R., De Bock,
V., Karppinen, T., Garane, K., Kapsomenakis, J., Koukouli, M.-E., and
Zerefos, C. S.: Solar UV Irradiance in a Changing Climate: Trends in Europe
and the Significance of Spectral Monitoring in Italy, Environments, 7, 1–31,
https://doi.org/10.3390/environments7010001, 2020b. a, b, c
Fragkos, K., Bais, A. F., Fountoulakis, I., Balis, D., Tourpali, K., Meleti,
C., and Zanis, P.: Extreme total column ozone events and effects on UV solar
radiation at Thessaloniki, Greece, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 126,
505–517, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-015-1562-3, 2016. a
Garane, K., Bais, A. F., Kazadzis, S., Kazantzidis, A., and Meleti, C.: Monitoring of UV spectral irradiance at Thessaloniki (1990–2005): data re-evaluation and quality control, Ann. Geophys., 24, 3215–3228, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-24-3215-2006, 2006. a
GMAO (Global Modeling and Assimilation Office): MERRA-2
instM_3d_ana_Np: 3d,Monthly
mean,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Analysis,Analyzed Meteorological Fields
V5.12.4, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information
Services Center (GES DIS) [data set], https://doi.org/10.5067/V92O8XZ30XBI, 2015a. a, b
GMAO (Global Modeling and Assimilation Office): MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_slv_Nx: 2d,Monthly
mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics
V5.12.4, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information
Services Center (GES DISC) [data set],
https://doi.org/10.5067/AP1B0BA5PD2K, 2015b. a
Griggs, M.: Absorption Coefficients of Ozone in the Ultraviolet and Visible
Regions, J. Chem. Phys., 49, 857–859,
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1670152, 1968. a
Gröbner, J. and Sperfeld, P.: Direct traceability of the portable QASUME
irradiance scale to the primary irradiance standard of the PTB, Metrologia,
42, 134–139, https://doi.org/10.1088/0026-1394/42/2/008, 2005. a
Häder, D.-P., Kumar, H. D., Smith, R. C., and Worrest, R. C.: Effects on
aquatic ecosystems, J. Photoch. Photobio. B,
46, 53–68, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1011-1344(98)00185-7, 1998. a
Hoinka, K. P., Claude, H., and Köhler, U.: On the correlation between
tropopause pressure and ozone above central Europe, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 23, 1753–1756, https://doi.org/10.1029/96GL01722, 1996. a
Hooke, R. J., Higlett, M. P., Hunter, N., and O'Hagan, J. B.: Long term
variations in erythema effective solar UV at Chilton, UK, from 1991 to 2015,
Photoch. Photobio. Sci., 16, 1596–1603,
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7PP00053G, 2017. a, b
Hülsen, G., Gröbner, J., Nevas, S., Sperfeld, P., Egli, L.,
Porrovecchio, G., and Smid, M.: Traceability of solar UV measurements using
the Qasume reference spectroradiometer, Appl. Optics, 55, 7265–7275,
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.55.007265, 2016. a
Ialongo, I., Buchard, V., Brogniez, C., Casale, G. R., and Siani, A. M.: Aerosol Single Scattering Albedo retrieval in the UV range: an application to OMI satellite validation, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 331–340, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-331-2010, 2010. a
Inn, E. C. Y. and Tanaka, Y.: Absorption Coefficient of Ozone in the
Ultraviolet and Visible Regions, J. Opt. Soc. Am.,
43, 870–873, https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSA.43.000870, 1953. a
IPCC: Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working
Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, edited by: Stocker, T. F., Qin, D., Plattner, G.-K., Tignor, M., Allen, S. K.,
Boschung, J., Nauels, A., and Xia, Y., Tech. rep., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA,
ISBN 978-1-107-05799-1,
2013. a
Kazadzis, S., Kouremeti, N., Bais, A., Kazantzidis, A., and Meleti, C.: Aerosol forcing efficiency in the UVA region from spectral solar irradiance measurements at an urban environment, Ann. Geophys., 27, 2515–2522, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-27-2515-2009, 2009. a
Kerr, J. B.: The Brewer Spectrophotometer BT – UV Radiation in Global Climate
Change: Measurements, Modeling and Effects on Ecosystems, 160–191,
Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03313-1_6, 2010. a
Kerr, J. B. and McElroy, C. T.: Evidence for Large Upward Trends of
Ultraviolet-B Radiation Linked to Ozone Depletion, Science, 262, 1032–1034, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.262.5136.1032, 1993. a
Lakkala, K., Heikkilä, A., Kärhä, P., Ialongo, I., Karppinen,
T., Karhu, J. M., Lindfors, A. V., and Meinander, O.: 25 years of spectral
UV measurements at Sodankylä, AIP Conference Proceedings, 1810,
110006, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4975568, 2017. a
Lin, P., Paynter, D., Ming, Y., and Ramaswamy, V.: Changes of the Tropical
Tropopause Layer under Global Warming, J. Climate, 30, 1245–1258,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0457.1, 2017. a, b
Madronich, S., McKenzie, R. L., Björn, L. O., and Caldwell, M. M.:
Changes in biologically active ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's
surface, J. Photoch. Photobio. B, 46, 5–19,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1011-1344(98)00182-1, 1998. a
Manara, V., Beltrano, M. C., Brunetti, M., Maugeri, M., Sanchez-Lorenzo, A.,
Simolo, C., and Sorrenti, S.: Sunshine duration variability and trends in
Italy from homogenized instrumental time series (1936–2013), J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 120, 3622–3641,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JD022560, 2015. a
Manara, V., Brunetti, M., Celozzi, A., Maugeri, M., Sanchez-Lorenzo, A., and Wild, M.: Detection of dimming/brightening in Italy from homogenized all-sky and clear-sky surface solar radiation records and underlying causes (1959–2013), Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 11145–11161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-11145-2016, 2016. a, b
Manney, G. L., Santee, M. L., Rex, M., Livesey, N. J., Pitts, M. C., Veefkind,
P., Nash, E. R., Wohltmann, I., Lehmann, R., Froidevaux, L., Poole, L. R.,
Schoeberl, M. R., Haffner, D. P., Davies, J., Dorokhov, V., Gernandt, H.,
Johnson, B., Kivi, R., Kyrö, E., Larsen, N., Levelt, P. F., Makshtas,
A., McElroy, C. T., Nakajima, H., Parrondo, M. C., Tarasick, D. W., von der
Gathen, P., Walker, K. A., and Zinoviev, N. S.: Unprecedented Arctic ozone
loss in 2011, Nature, 478, 469–475, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10556, 2011. a
Masiol, M., Squizzato, S., Formenton, G., Harrison, R. M., and Agostinelli, C.:
Air quality across a European hotspot: Spatial gradients, seasonality,
diurnal cycles and trends in the Veneto region, NE Italy, Sci.
Total Environ., 576, 210–224,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.042, 2017. a
Mateos, D., di Sarra, A., Meloni, D., Di Biagio, C., and Sferlazzo, D. M.:
Experimental determination of cloud influence on the spectral UV irradiance
and implications for biological effects, J. Atmos.
Sol.-Terr. Phy., 73, 1739–1746,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2011.04.003, 2011. a
Mateos, D., di Sarra, A., Bilbao, J., Meloni, D., Pace, G., de Miguel, A., and
Casasanta, G.: Spectral attenuation of global and diffuse UV irradiance and
actinic flux by clouds, Q. J. Roy. Meteor.
Soc., 141, 109–113, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.2341, 2015. a, b
McConnell, J. C., Henderson, G. S., Barrie, L., Bottenheim, J., Niki, H.,
Langford, C. H., and Templeton, E. M. J.: Photochemical bromine production
implicated in Arctic boundary-layer ozone depletion, Nature, 355, 150–152,
https://doi.org/10.1038/355150a0, 1992. a
McKenzie, R., Bernhard, G., Liley, B., Disterhoft, P., Rhodes, S., Bais, A.,
Morgenstern, O., Newman, P., Oman, L., Brogniez, C., and Simic, S.: Success
of Montreal Protocol Demonstrated by Comparing High-Quality UV Measurements
with “World Avoided” Calculations from Two Chemistry-Climate Models,
Sci. Rep.-UK, 9, 12332, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48625-z, 2019. a
Mckinlay, A. and Diffey, B.: A reference action spectrum for ultraviolet
induced erythema in human skin, CIE, 6, 17–22, 1987. a
Meloni, D., Casale, G. R., Siani, A. M., Palmieri, S., and Cappellani, F.:
Solar UV Dose Patterns in Italy, Photochem. Photobiol., 71,
681–690, https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2000)0710681SUDPII2.0.CO2,
2000. a
Meloni, D., di Sarra, A., Monteleone, F., Pace, G., Piacentino, S., and
Sferlazzo, D. M.: Seasonal transport patterns of intense Saharan dust events
at the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, Atmos. Res., 88,
134–148, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2007.10.007, 2008. a
Meng, L., Liu, J., Tarasick, D. W., Randel, W. J., Steiner, A. K., Wilhelmsen,
H., Wang, L., and Haimberger, L.: Continuous rise of the tropopause in the
Northern Hemisphere over 1980–2020, Sci. Adv., 7, eabi8065,
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abi8065, 2021. a, b
Mok, J., Krotkov, N. A., Arola, A., Torres, O., Jethva, H., Andrade, M., Labow,
G., Eck, T. F., Li, Z., Dickerson, R. R., Stenchikov, G. L., Osipov, S., and
Ren, X.: Impacts of brown carbon from biomass burning on surface UV and
ozone photochemistry in the Amazon Basin, Sci. Rep.-UK, 6, 36940,
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36940, 2016. a
Morgenstern, O., Braesicke, P., Hurwitz, M. M., O'Connor, F. M., Bushell,
A. C., Johnson, C. E., and Pyle, J. A.: The World Avoided by the Montreal
Protocol, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16811,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL034590, 2008. a
Newman, P. A. and McKenzie, R.: UV impacts avoided by the Montreal Protocol,
Photoch. Photobio. Sci., 10, 1152–1160,
https://doi.org/10.1039/C0PP00387E, 2011. a
Ohring, G. and Muench, H. S.: RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OZONE AND METEOROLOGICAL
PARAMETERS IN THE LOWER STRATOSPHERE, J. Atmos. Sci., 17,
195–206, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1960)017<0195:RBOAMP>2.0.CO;2, 1960. a
Orza, J. A. G. and Perrone, M. R.: Trends in the aerosol load properties over
south eastern Italy, IOP C. Ser. Earth Env.,
28, 12011, https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/28/1/012011, 2015. a
Pandey, P., Gillotay, D., and Depiesse, C.: Climatology of Ultra Violet (UV)
irradiance as measured through the Belgian ground-based monitoring network
during the time period of 1995–2014, Geophys. Res. Abstr.,
EPSC2016–13080, EGU General Assembly 2016, Vienna, Austria, 2016. a
Paul, N. D. and Gwynn-Jones, D.: Ecological roles of solar UV radiation:
towards an integrated approach, Trend. Ecol. Evol., 18, 48–55,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(02)00014-9, 2003. a
Petkov, B. H., Vitale, V., Tomasi, C., Siani, A. M., Seckmeyer, G., Webb,
A. R., Smedley, A. R. D., Casale, G. R., Werner, R., Lanconelli, C., Mazzola,
M., Lupi, A., Busetto, M., Diémoz, H., Goutail, F., Köhler, U.,
Mendeva, B. D., Josefsson, W., Moore, D., Bartolomé, M. L., Moreta
González, J. R., Mišaga, O., Dahlback, A., Tóth, Z.,
Varghese, S., De Backer, H., Stübi, R., and Vaníček, K.:
Response of the ozone column over Europe to the 2011 Arctic ozone depletion
event according to ground-based observations and assessment of the consequent
variations in surface UV irradiance, Atmos. Environ., 85, 169–178,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.12.005, 2014. a
Pfeifroth, U., Sanchez-Lorenzo, A., Manara, V., Trentmann, J., and Hollmann,
R.: Trends and Variability of Surface Solar Radiation in Europe Based On
Surface- and Satellite-Based Data Records, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 123, 1735–1754, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027418,
2018. a
Pommereau, J.-P., Goutail, F., Pazmino, A., Lefèvre, F., Chipperfield,
M. P., Feng, W., Van Roozendael, M., Jepsen, N., Hansen, G., Kivi, R.,
Bognar, K., Strong, K., Walker, K., Kuzmichev, A., Khattatov, S., and
Sitnikova, V.: Recent Arctic ozone depletion: Is there an impact of climate
change?, CR Geosci., 350, 347–353,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2018.07.009, 2018. a
Putaud, J. P., Cavalli, F., Martins dos Santos, S., and Dell'Acqua, A.: Long-term trends in aerosol optical characteristics in the Po Valley, Italy, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 9129–9136, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9129-2014, 2014. a
Raptis, I.-P., Eleftheratos, K., Kazadzis, S., Kosmopoulos, P.,
Papachristopoulou, K., and Solomos, S.: The Combined Effect of Ozone and
Aerosols on Erythemal Irradiance in an Extremely Low Ozone Event during May
2020, Atmosphere, 12, 145–160, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020145, 2021. a
Redondas, A., Carreño, V., León-Luis, S. F., Hernández-Cruz, B., López-Solano, J., Rodriguez-Franco, J. J., Vilaplana, J. M., Gröbner, J., Rimmer, J., Bais, A. F., Savastiouk, V., Moreta, J. R., Boulkelia, L., Jepsen, N., Wilson, K. M., Shirotov, V., and Karppinen, T.: EUBREWNET RBCC-E Huelva 2015 Ozone Brewer Intercomparison, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 9441–9455, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-9441-2018, 2018. a
Reed, R. J.: THE ROLE OF VERTICAL MOTIONS IN OZONE-WEATHER RELATIONSHIPS,
J. Atmos. Sci., 7, 263–267,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1950)007<0263:TROVMI>2.0.CO;2, 1950. a
Rizza, U., Mancinelli, E., Morichetti, M., Passerini, G., and Virgili, S.:
Aerosol Optical Depth of the Main Aerosol Species over Italian Cities Based
on the NASA/MERRA-2 Model Reanalysis, Atmosphere, 10, 709–722, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10110709, 2019. a
Siani, A., Casale, G. R., and Galliani, A.: Investigation on a low ozone
episode at the end of November 2000 and its effect on ultraviolet radiation,
Optical Eng., 41, 3082–3089, https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1516821, 2002. a
Siani, A. M., Frasca, F., Scarlatti, F., Religi, A., Diémoz, H., Casale, G. R., Pedone, M., and Savastiouk, V.: Examination on total ozone column retrievals by Brewer spectrophotometry using different processing software, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 5105–5123, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5105-2018, 2018. a, b
Sofieva, V. F., Kyrölä, E., Laine, M., Tamminen, J., Degenstein, D., Bourassa, A., Roth, C., Zawada, D., Weber, M., Rozanov, A., Rahpoe, N., Stiller, G., Laeng, A., von Clarmann, T., Walker, K. A., Sheese, P., Hubert, D., van Roozendael, M., Zehner, C., Damadeo, R., Zawodny, J., Kramarova, N., and Bhartia, P. K.: Merged SAGE II, Ozone_cci and OMPS ozone profile dataset and evaluation of ozone trends in the stratosphere, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 12533–12552, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-12533-2017, 2017. a, b
Solomon, S., Garcia, R. R., Rowland, F. S., and Wuebbles, D. J.: On the depletion of Antarctic ozone, Nature, 321, 755–758, https://doi.org/10.1038/321755a0, 1986. a
Solomon, S., Ivy, D. J., Kinnison, D., Mills, M. J., Neely, R. R., and Schmidt,
A.: Emergence of healing in the Antarctic ozone layer, Science, 353, 269–274, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aae0061, 2016. a
Staehelin, J., Harris, N. R. P., Appenzeller, C., and Eberhard, J.: Ozone
trends: A review, Rev. Geophys., 39, 231–290,
https://doi.org/10.1029/1999RG000059, 2001. a, b
Steinbrecht, W., Claude, H., Köhler, U., and Hoinka, K. P.: Correlations
between tropopause height and total ozone: Implications for long-term
changes, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 103,
19183–19192, https://doi.org/10.1029/98JD01929, 1998. a, b, c, d
Svendby, T., Hansen, G., Bäcklund, A., and Dahlback, A.: Monitoring of the atmospheric ozone layer and natural ultraviolet radiation. Annual Report 2018,
Tech. rep., NILU, Oslo, Norway, available at:
https://www.nilu.com/pub/1724994/ (last access: 12 November 2021), 2018. a
Szeląg, M. E., Sofieva, V. F., Degenstein, D., Roth, C., Davis, S., and Froidevaux, L.: Seasonal stratospheric ozone trends over 2000–2018 derived from several merged data sets, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 7035–7047, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-7035-2020, 2020. a
Vanicek, K.: Differences between ground Dobson, Brewer and satellite TOMS-8, GOME-WFDOAS total ozone observations at Hradec Kralove, Czech, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 5163–5171, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-5163-2006, 2006. a
Varotsos, C. A., Cracknell, A. P., and Tzanis, C.: The exceptional ozone
depletion over the Arctic in January–March 2011, Remote Sens. Lett.,
3, 343–352, https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2011.597792, 2012. a
Vaughan, G. and Price, J. D.: On the relation between total ozone and
meteorology, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 117,
1281–1298, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.49711750208, 1991. a, b
Wargan, K., Orbe, C., Pawson, S., Ziemke, J. R., Oman, L. D., Olsen, M. A.,
Coy, L., and Knowland, E.: Recent Decline in Extratropical Lower
Stratospheric Ozone Attributed to Circulation Changes, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 45, 5166–5176, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077406, 2018. a
Weber, M., Coldewey-Egbers, M., Fioletov, V. E., Frith, S. M., Wild, J. D., Burrows, J. P., Long, C. S., and Loyola, D.: Total ozone trends from 1979 to 2016 derived from five merged observational datasets – the emergence into ozone recovery, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 2097–2117, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-2097-2018, 2018. a
Williamson, C. E., Neale, P. J., Hylander, S., Rose, K. C., Figueroa, F. L., Robinson, S. A., Häder, D.-P., Wängberg, S.-Å., and Worrest, R. C.: The interactive effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and
climate change on aquatic ecosystems, Photoch. Photobio.
Sci., 18, 717–746, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PP90062K, 2019. a
Wohltmann, I., von der Gathen, P., Lehmann, R., Maturilli, M., Deckelmann, H.,
Manney, G. L., Davies, J., Tarasick, D., Jepsen, N., Kivi, R., Lyall, N., and
Rex, M.: Near-Complete Local Reduction of Arctic Stratospheric Ozone by
Severe Chemical Loss in Spring 2020, Geophys. Res. Lett., 47,
e2020GL089547, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089547, 2020. a
Young, P. J., Harper, A. B., Huntingford, C., Paul, N. D., Morgenstern, O.,
Newman, P. A., Oman, L. D., Madronich, S., and Garcia, R. R.: The Montreal
Protocol protects the terrestrial carbon sink, Nature, 596, 384–388,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03737-3, 2021. a
Zerefos, C. S., Bais, A. F., Meleti, C., and Ziomas, I. C.: A note on the
recent increase of Solar UV-B radiation over northern middle latitudes,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 1245–1247,
https://doi.org/10.1029/95GL01187, 1995. a
Zhang, H., Wang, J., Castro García, L., Zeng, J., Dennhardt, C., Liu, Y., and Krotkov, N. A.: Surface erythemal UV irradiance in the continental United States derived from ground-based and OMI observations: quality assessment, trend analysis and sampling issues, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 2165–2181, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-2165-2019, 2019.
a
Zhao, X., Fioletov, V., Brohart, M., Savastiouk, V., Abboud, I., Ogyu, A., Davies, J., Sit, R., Lee, S. C., Cede, A., Tiefengraber, M., Müller, M., Griffin, D., and McLinden, C.: The world Brewer reference triad – updated performance assessment and new double triad, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2261–2283, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2261-2021, 2021. a
Zhao, X., Fioletov, V., Brohart, M., Savastiouk, V., Abboud, I., Ogyu, A., Davies, J., Sit, R., Lee, S. C., Cede, A., Tiefengraber, M., Müller, M., Griffin, D., and McLinden, C.: The world Brewer reference triad – updated performance assessment and new double triad, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2261–2283, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2261-2021, 2021. a
Short summary
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).
The variability and trends of solar spectral UV irradiance have been studied for the periods...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint