Next Issue
Volume 16, January
Previous Issue
Volume 15, November
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.6
2.5
Journals
Atmosphere
Volume 15
Issue 12
share announcement

Atmosphere, Volume 15, Issue 12 (December 2024) – 149 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): In classrooms, the management of indoor air quality (IAQ) is usually based on the subjective perceptions of teachers and students, especially in naturally ventilated spaces. Understanding whether teachers’ IAQ perceptions match reality is important in terms of defining ventilation strategies to ensure good IAQ during classes. With this aim, an IAQ monitoring survey based on low-cost sensors was carried out in nine classrooms (a total of 171 monitored classes) in a Portuguese school. Teachers reported their IAQ perception using a scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (very good). Exceedances of national legislation were found, with temperature having the highest exceedance rate, followed by PM10 and CO2. Temperature was the only factor significantly linked to lower IAQ perceptions, while CO2, associated with stuffy air, did not affect teachers’ assessments. View this paper
  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Section
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
24 pages, 3486 KiB  
Article
Study on the Impact of Green Finance and Environmental Regulations on Haze Pollution in China
by Yunkai Zhou and Jingkun Zhou
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121548 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 351
Abstract
With the rapid economic growth in China, the years from 2012 to 2017 witnessed a severe outbreak of haze pollution. In response, numerous enterprises were shut down or forced to reduce production, leading to significant negative impacts on the economy and society. Consequently, [...] Read more.
With the rapid economic growth in China, the years from 2012 to 2017 witnessed a severe outbreak of haze pollution. In response, numerous enterprises were shut down or forced to reduce production, leading to significant negative impacts on the economy and society. Consequently, the scientific management of haze pollution has become a focal point of China’s environmental research. This paper explores the influence of green finance and environmental regulations on haze pollution, employing spatial autoregressive and spatial Durbin models to conduct an empirical analysis based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2000 to 2017. The following conclusions were thus drawn: from 2010 to 2017, the green finance index of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and Liaoning Province, which suffered severe haze pollution, showed an overall downward trend; efforts to strengthen environmental regulations played an important role in reducing air pollution, especially the PM2.5 level; the improvement in the green finance level can help reduce haze pollution; and green finance has an obvious spatial spillover effect. A number of policy recommendations were proposed on this basis, including strengthening inter-regional cooperation and exchanges in green finance, promoting the scientific application of environmental regulations in areas with serious haze pollution, strengthening the implementation of green finance strategies in areas with serious haze pollution, and establishing regional green finance demonstration zones. The purpose of this study is to provide meaningful support for China’s scientific management of haze pollution through an analysis of the impact of green finance and policy optimization. The innovative aspects of this research lie in its pioneering use of spatial econometric models to investigate the role of green finance and environmental regulations in controlling haze pollution. The findings reveal that advancements in green finance can significantly alleviate haze pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution in Urban and Regional Level: Sources, Sinks and Transportation (3rd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 6074 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Air Toxics from Multiple Sources in the Kaohsiung Coastal Industrial Complex and Port Area
by Jiun-Horng Tsai, Pei-Chi Yeh, Jing-Ju Huang and Hung-Lung Chiang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121547 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 356
Abstract
This study focuses on understanding the health impacts of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from the Kaohsiung Coastal Industrial Park and port areas in southern Taiwan on neighboring communities. Six important HAPs (formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene, and diesel particulate matter (DPM)) [...] Read more.
This study focuses on understanding the health impacts of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from the Kaohsiung Coastal Industrial Park and port areas in southern Taiwan on neighboring communities. Six important HAPs (formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, vinyl chloride, 1,3-butadiene, and diesel particulate matter (DPM)) were identified in this area. By considering the impact of emissions from stationary sources, mobile sources, and port activities, the relative importance of each emission source was assessed. In addition, the AERMOD (AMS (American Meteorological Society)/EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)) diffusion model was employed to simulate the increases in target pollutant concentrations and to analyze the influence and spatial distribution of various emission sources on atmospheric HAP concentrations in nearby communities. This study further evaluated the exposure risks of composite HAP sources, to understand their impacts and to determine their control priorities. The findings revealed that emissions and carcinogenic weighting from composite sources, particularly DPM emissions from port activities, including from ocean-going vessels and heavy-duty vehicles, had a significant impact. The maximum incremental concentration for DPM in the study area occurred around the port area, whereas the maxima for formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, vinyl chloride, and 1,3-butadiene were all observed within the industrial complex. DPM emissions from port activities, 1,3-butadiene emissions from mobile sources, and benzene emissions from stationary sources were the composite sources with the greatest potential impacts. Over 90% of health risks were due to DPM, and the remaining health risks were due to 1,3-butadiene (6%), benzene (2%), arsenic (1%), and other species (less than 1%). DPM emissions were primarily influenced by port activities (77%), 1,3-butadiene emissions by mobile sources (45%), and benzene emissions by stationary sources (41%). A total of 25% of the area had risk values greater than 10−3, and 75% of the area had risk values between 10−3 and 10−4. The risk values in the densely populated areas were all greater than 10−4. The potential risk hotspots with risk values greater than 10−3 were located on the northwest side of the port and downwind of the industrial park. The key pollutants contributing to these hotspots were, in order, DPM (up to 80% cancer risk), formaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene, all of which were significantly influenced by port activities. This indicates that the control of, and reduction in, HAP emissions from port activities should be prioritized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality and Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 10291 KiB  
Article
A Numerical Simulation of a Fog Event in the Sichuan Basin, China: The Sensitivity to Terrain Elevations
by Ling-Meng Gu, Xin-Min Zeng, Cong-Min Li, Ning Wang, Shuai-Bing Shao and Irfan Ullah
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121546 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 347
Abstract
In this paper, we utilize the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (ARWv4) to explore how the fog is affected by the basin’s topography during a radiation fog event in the Sichuan Basin in December 2016 by setting up [...] Read more.
In this paper, we utilize the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (ARWv4) to explore how the fog is affected by the basin’s topography during a radiation fog event in the Sichuan Basin in December 2016 by setting up three sets of terrain tests. The simulation results demonstrate that the fog area in the expanded basin terrain emerges 40 min earlier than in the original topography control test (CTL), with the fog area extent marginally reduced. Conversely, the fog area in the reduced basin terrain emerges one hour earlier than in the CTL, with the fog area extent increased by 133.5%. Basin topography is an essential factor influencing the humidity, temperature, and dynamical fields. The expansion of basin topography was shown to be unfavorable for water vapor convergence. Moreover, the area exhibiting relative humidity levels exceeding 95% at the peak of the fog intensity was smaller than that observed in CTL. The impact of radiative cooling was diminished, and the thickness and intensity of the inversion layer were reduced compared to CTL. In addition, the wind speed in the marginal area exceeded 5 m s−1, and the fog formation was observed only in the central portion of the basin, where wind speeds ranged from 0 to 3 m s−1. In contrast, the change in the topography of the narrowed basin resulted in the opposite phenomenon overall. This work emphasizes the importance of basin topography in forming and developing the fog in the Sichuan Basin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 17022 KiB  
Article
Evaluation and Analysis of Next-Generation FY-4A LPW Products over Various Climatic Regions in China
by Wenyuan Zhang, Xinyu Xiao, Jinsong Peng, Shubi Zhang, Endrit Shehaj and Gregor Moeller
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121545 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Atmospheric water vapor, a significant constituent of the atmosphere, affects the energy balance between Earth’s atmosphere and space, and its changes play a crucial role in the greenhouse effect. Layer precipitable water (LPW), which represents the column-integral water vapor within a vertical range, [...] Read more.
Atmospheric water vapor, a significant constituent of the atmosphere, affects the energy balance between Earth’s atmosphere and space, and its changes play a crucial role in the greenhouse effect. Layer precipitable water (LPW), which represents the column-integral water vapor within a vertical range, is increasingly recognized as a key indicator of atmospheric water vapor distributions and variations. Due to its capability for layer-wise monitoring, LPW products have the potential to offer valuable insights into the characteristics and evolution of climatic regions through refined atmospheric spatiotemporal information. However, the observational quality and spatiotemporal variations of LPW products across different climate zones, e.g., the diverse climatic regions in China, have not been systematically assessed. In this paper, we aim to evaluate and analyze the climatic and seasonal variations of FY-4A LPW products across five climatic regions in China, contributing to a deeper understanding of water vapor variability and providing valuable data for climate change research. A surface pressure calibration algorithm for ERA5 data is developed to calculate accurate ERA5 LPW products. The results show that all four FY-4A LPWs are consistent with ERA5 LPWs, with an overall root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.58, 0.90, 1.30, and 1.01 mm, respectively. Furthermore, FY-4A LPWs are underestimated in the temperate monsoon area and overestimated in the subtropical and tropical monsoon regions, while FY-4A observations agree well with ERA5 reanalysis in temperate continental and plateau mountain zones. These analyses highlight the remarkable climate dependency of FY-4A LPWs and their potential for climate-related studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GNSS Meteorology: Algorithm, Modelling, Assessment and Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 9069 KiB  
Article
High-Resolution Air Temperature Forecasts in Urban Areas: A Meteorological Perspective on Their Added Value
by Sandro M. Oswald, Stefan Schneider, Claudia Hahn, Maja Žuvela-Aloise, Polly Schmederer, Clemens Wastl and Brigitta Hollosi
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121544 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 629
Abstract
Urban environments experience amplified thermal stress due to the climate change, leading to increased health risks during extreme temperature events. Existing numerical weather prediction systems often lack the spatial resolution required to capture this phenomenon. This study assesses the efficacy of a coupled [...] Read more.
Urban environments experience amplified thermal stress due to the climate change, leading to increased health risks during extreme temperature events. Existing numerical weather prediction systems often lack the spatial resolution required to capture this phenomenon. This study assesses the efficacy of a coupled modeling system, the numerical weather prediction AROME model and the land-surface model SURFace EXternalisée in a stand alone mode (SURFEX-SA), in forecasting air temperatures at high resolutions (2.5km to 100m) across four Austrian cities (Vienna, Linz, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck). The system is updated with the, according to the author’s knowledge, most accurate land use and land cover input to evaluate the added value of incorporating detailed urban environmental representations. The analysis focuses on the years 2019, 2023, and 2024, examining both summer and winter seasons. SURFEX-SA demonstrates improved performance in specific scenarios, particularly during nighttime in rural and suburban areas during the warmer season. By comprehensively analyzing this prediction system with operational and citizen weather stations in a deterministic and probabilistic mode across several time periods and various skill scores, the findings of this study will enable readers to determine whether high-resolution forecasts are necessary in specific use cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Challenge of Weather and Climate Prediction)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4383 KiB  
Article
Real-Time Contrail Monitoring and Mitigation Using CubeSat Constellations
by Nishanth Pushparaj, Luis Cormier, Chantal Cappelletti and Vilius Portapas
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121543 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Contrails, or condensation trails, left by aircraft, significantly contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Despite their critical role in climate dynamics, the environmental impact of contrails remains underexplored. This research addresses this gap by focusing on the use [...] Read more.
Contrails, or condensation trails, left by aircraft, significantly contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Despite their critical role in climate dynamics, the environmental impact of contrails remains underexplored. This research addresses this gap by focusing on the use of CubeSats for real-time contrail monitoring, specifically over major air routes such as the Europe–North Atlantic Corridor. The study proposes a 3 × 3 CubeSat constellation in highly eccentric orbits, designed to maximize coverage and data acquisition efficiency. Simulation results indicate that this configuration can provide nearly continuous monitoring with optimized satellite handovers, reducing blackout periods and ensuring robust multi-satellite visibility. A machine learning-based system integrating space-based humidity and temperature data to predict contrail formation and inform flight path adjustments is proposed, thereby mitigating environmental impact. The findings emphasize the potential of CubeSat constellations to revolutionize atmospheric monitoring practices, offering a cost-effective solution that aligns with global sustainability efforts, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). This research represents a significant step forward in understanding aviation’s non-CO2 climate impact and demonstrates the feasibility of real-time contrail mitigation through satellite technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 9787 KiB  
Article
Monitoring Ionospheric and Atmospheric Conditions During the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Period
by Serkan Doğanalp and İrem Köz
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121542 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 571
Abstract
Recent advancements have led to a growing prevalence of studies examining ionospheric and atmospheric anomalies as potential precursors to earthquakes. In this context, the study involved analyzing variations in ionospheric total electron content (TEC), investigating anomalies, assessing space weather conditions, and examining changes [...] Read more.
Recent advancements have led to a growing prevalence of studies examining ionospheric and atmospheric anomalies as potential precursors to earthquakes. In this context, the study involved analyzing variations in ionospheric total electron content (TEC), investigating anomalies, assessing space weather conditions, and examining changes in atmospheric parameters to evaluate potential precursors and post-seismic effects related to the Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6 earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş consecutively in 2023. To compute the total electron content (TEC) values, data from 29 GNSS receivers covering a period of approximately 49 days were processed. In addition, since identical code signals were not available among all receiver stations, the study conducted an analysis of TEC estimations applying different GPS codes. To analyze space weather conditions, which are considered the main source of changes in the ionosphere, variations in sunspot number, solar activity index, magnetic activity indices (Kp and Dst), and geomagnetic field components were examined across the relevant period. To assess the potential presence of a distinct relationship between seismic activity at the Earth’s surface and ionospheric conditions, atmospheric parameters including temperature, relative humidity, and pressure were meticulously monitored and evaluated. As a result of the study, it was determined that TEC anomalies that could be evaluated as earthquake precursors independent of space weather conditions were observed starting from the 3rd day before the earthquake, and high positive TEC anomalies occurred immediately after the earthquakes. In atmospheric parameters, the change in behavior, particularly in temperature value, 10 days before the earthquake, is noteworthy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Observations and Analysis of Upper Atmosphere)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 4163 KiB  
Article
Development of a New Generalizable, Multivariate, and Physical-Body-Response-Based Extreme Heatwave Index
by Marcio Cataldi, Vitor Luiz Victalino Galves, Leandro Alcoforado Sphaier, Ginés Garnés-Morales, Victoria Gallardo, Laurel Molina Párraga, Juan Pedro Montávez and Pedro Jimenez-Guerrero
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121541 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 692
Abstract
The primary goal of this study is to introduce the initial phase of developing an impact-based forecasting system for extreme heatwaves, utilizing a novel multivariate index which, at this early stage, already employs a combination of a statistical approach and physical principles related [...] Read more.
The primary goal of this study is to introduce the initial phase of developing an impact-based forecasting system for extreme heatwaves, utilizing a novel multivariate index which, at this early stage, already employs a combination of a statistical approach and physical principles related to human body water loss. This system also incorporates a mitigation plan with hydration-focused measures. Since 1990, heatwaves have become increasingly frequent and intense across many regions worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia. The main health impacts of heatwaves include organ strain and damage, exacerbation of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, and adverse reproductive effects. These consequences are most pronounced in individuals aged 65 and older. Many national meteorological services have established metrics to assess the frequency and severity of heatwaves within their borders. These metrics typically rely on specific threshold values or ranges of near-surface (2 m) air temperature, often derived from historical extreme temperature records. However, to our knowledge, only a few of these metrics consider the persistence of heatwave events, and even fewer account for relative humidity. In response, this study aims to develop a globally applicable normalized index that can be used across various temporal scales and regions. This index incorporates the potential health risks associated with relative humidity, accounts for the duration of extreme heatwave events, and is exponentially sensitive to exposure to extreme heat conditions above critical thresholds of temperature. This novel index could be more suitable/adapted to guide national meteorological services when emitting warnings during extreme heatwave events about the health risks on the population. The index was computed under two scenarios: first, in forecasting heatwave episodes over a specific temporal horizon using the WRF model; second, in evaluating the relationship between the index, mortality data, and maximum temperature anomalies during the 2003 summer heatwave in Spain. Moreover, the study assessed the annual trend of increasing extreme heatwaves in Spain using ERA5 data on a climatic scale. The results show that this index has considerable potential as a decision-support and health risk assessment tool. It demonstrates greater sensitivity to extreme risk episodes compared to linear evaluations of extreme temperatures. Furthermore, its formulation aligns with the physical mechanisms of water loss in the human body, while also factoring in the effects of relative humidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prediction and Modeling of Extreme Weather Events)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 5168 KiB  
Article
Large Eddy Simulation of Flow Around Twin Tower Buildings in Tandem Arrangements with Upstream Corner Modification
by Deqian Zheng, Xueyuan Wu, Yuzhe Zhu, Wenyong Ma and Pingzhi Fang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121540 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 382
Abstract
The aerodynamic performance of twin tall buildings immersed in the atmospheric boundary layer was numerically investigated by adopting the spatial-averaged large eddy simulation (LES) method. This study focused on the effects of corner cutting and chamfering. The buildings were both square and sectional [...] Read more.
The aerodynamic performance of twin tall buildings immersed in the atmospheric boundary layer was numerically investigated by adopting the spatial-averaged large eddy simulation (LES) method. This study focused on the effects of corner cutting and chamfering. The buildings were both square and sectional with a width-to-height ratio of 1:6, and were arranged in a tandem configuration with a spacing ratio of 2.0. The corner-cutting and chamfering measures were only applied to the upstream cylinder, with a corner modification rate of 10%. To generate the turbulent inflow boundary condition (IBC) for LES, steady-state equilibrium IBC expressions were introduced into the vortex method, which were implemented in the commercial code Ansys Fluent. The present simulation method and solution parameters were first verified by comparing the simulated wind field and the wind pressure distribution on a single tall building with those of the wind tunnel test. The influences of the corner-cutting and chamfering measures on the wind load of the tandem buildings were then comparatively studied concerning the statistical values of their aerodynamic force coefficients and wind pressure coefficients. The influence mechanism was analyzed based on the simulated time-averaged flow field and the instantaneous vortex structure around the buildings. The results indicated that upstream corner-cutting and chamfering measures can induce a diffusion angle shift in the separated shear flow from the leading edge of the upstream building, thus affecting the separation and reattachment of the separated upstream flow on the downstream building. Among the measures studied, upstream corner cutting is more effective in reducing wind pressure and aerodynamic force coefficients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 288 KiB  
Article
The Impacts of Environmental Assessment and Public Appeal on Air Quality: Evidence from the Chinese Provinces
by Zhi Li, Wen Wang and Zuo Zhang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121539 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Local governments excessively pursued an economic growth-oriented incentive system while neglecting air pollution control for a long time in China. The impacts of environmental assessment and public appeal could potentially promote environmental governance, thus reducing air pollution. Based on panel data of 30 [...] Read more.
Local governments excessively pursued an economic growth-oriented incentive system while neglecting air pollution control for a long time in China. The impacts of environmental assessment and public appeal could potentially promote environmental governance, thus reducing air pollution. Based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2003 to 2021, we obtain results using the OLS and GLS methods indicating that environmental assessment and public appeal significantly impact both local environmental governance investments and environmental legislation, with environmental legislation having a more significant effect. Compared to environmental letters and visits, environmental proposals from NPC (National People’s Congress) deputies and CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) members, as well as public online environmental concerns, have more significant positive impacts on environmental governance. Environmental governance can indeed reduce air pollution and is also affected by the personal characteristics of the officials. Officials who are in their second term or have transferred from other provinces are more willing to implement environmental governance. Older officials and those with higher education are also inclined towards environmental governance. Compared to provincial governors, the results are more significant for CCP (China’s Communist Party) secretaries. We also further perform a series of robustness tests and find that the effect still exists. The presented results provide valuable insights for the optimization of the roles of environmental assessment and public participation, contributing to reforming the environmental governance system in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
13 pages, 10017 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Agricultural Sources and Characterization of Spatial and Temporal Changes in Anhui Province (China)
by Zhou Ye, Yujuan Sun, Xianglin Zhang and Youzhi Yao
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121538 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 376
Abstract
To evaluate the estimation and spatiotemporal variation characteristics of nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural sources in Anhui Province, the nitrous oxide emissions generated during crop cultivation and manure management were assessed based on the recommended methods in the “Guidelines for Provincial Greenhouse Gas [...] Read more.
To evaluate the estimation and spatiotemporal variation characteristics of nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural sources in Anhui Province, the nitrous oxide emissions generated during crop cultivation and manure management were assessed based on the recommended methods in the “Guidelines for Provincial Greenhouse Gas Inventories” and official statistical data. The results showed that the overall emission of nitrous oxide from agricultural land showed a downward trend, reaching a valley value in 2019 with an emission of 2.83 × 104 tons. The annual average emissions of nitrous oxide from agricultural land and manure management account for 80.98% and 19.02% of the total annual average emissions of nitrous oxide from agricultural activities in Anhui Province, respectively. Both agricultural land emissions and livestock manure management show a trend of nitrous oxide emissions decreasing from the northern region of Anhui > central region of Anhui > southern region of Anhui. In this paper, we explored and discussed the intrinsic driving factors behind the spatiotemporal changes in nitrous oxide emissions, and analyzed the potential for future emission reductions. It is suggested that the emissions of nitrous oxide from agricultural sources can be reduced through measures such as reasonable nitrogen application, adjustment of aquaculture structures, and the improvement of manure treatment methods, providing a theoretical reference for the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 40924 KiB  
Article
Identification of the Synoptic Causes of Torrential Rainfall Events in the Canary Islands (1950–2020)
by Pablo Máyer Suárez and Ángel Luque Söllheim
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1537; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121537 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 400
Abstract
This work identifies and analyses, from a synoptic point of view, episodes of torrential rainfall (equal to or greater than 200 mm in a single day) that occurred in the Canary Islands between 1950 and 2020. For this purpose, all daily rainfall series [...] Read more.
This work identifies and analyses, from a synoptic point of view, episodes of torrential rainfall (equal to or greater than 200 mm in a single day) that occurred in the Canary Islands between 1950 and 2020. For this purpose, all daily rainfall series available in different databases were used, with a final selection, after applying various filters for the detection of errors, of 88 days on which 200 mm was exceeded. Subsequently, the isobaric configurations at the surface and at 500 hPa were analysed by applying the following two classification methods: the automatic one of Jenkinson and Collinson (1977) and the subjective one of Jorge Olcina (1994). Most of the selected days (63.4%) corresponded to high-altitude isolated depressions (known by their initials in Spanish as DANAs), as well as troughs showing the advection of polar air of different origins (36.5%). According to the Jenkinson and Collinson classification, half of the days were classified as cyclonic or hybrid cyclonic and 37.5% as pure advective or directional (37.5%), with five days classified as undetermined. On only one day, 23 November 1954, was a tropical disturbance observed, with cloud fronts moving from the south of the Canary Islands along the west coast of Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 15th Anniversary of Atmosphere)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3457 KiB  
Article
Spatial and Temporal Variations in Rainwater Chemistry in a Rapid Urbanization Area of Shenzhen, China
by Yilong Huang, Jingwei Yang, Chang Liu, Ruiying Jing and Qiaohui Lu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121536 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 519
Abstract
Studying chemical constituents in rainwater can provide insights into the origin, characteristics, concentration, and processes involved in clearing atmospheric pollutants. This study investigated the spatial–temporal variations in rainwater chemistry characteristics in a rapidly urbanizing area of Shenzhen from 2007 to 2022. The mean [...] Read more.
Studying chemical constituents in rainwater can provide insights into the origin, characteristics, concentration, and processes involved in clearing atmospheric pollutants. This study investigated the spatial–temporal variations in rainwater chemistry characteristics in a rapidly urbanizing area of Shenzhen from 2007 to 2022. The mean pH during 2007–2022 was 5.12 ± 0.45, significantly higher than the 4.51 recorded in 2006. The electrical conductivity (EC) of rainfall in Shenzhen was 15.79 ± 2.63 μS/cm and showed a progressive decrease over the years. Human activities influenced the trends of SO42−, which decreased, while NO3− and Cl− increased over time. The cations Ca2+ and NH4+ decreased, and Mg2+, Na+, and K+ increased. In recent years, Na+ and Cl−, typical sea-salt ions, became dominant with a continually rising contribution. The study also revealed that Shenzhen has been affected by both sulfuric and nitric acid rain, formally ushering in the nitric acid-type era. Spatial variations in rainfall chemicals were observed, especially for pH and conductivity, attributed to urban growth, distance from the coast, and industrial development. Moreover, the total ion concentration of rainwater demonstrated high values in the spring and low values in the summer due to the significant effect of precipitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Atmospheric Chemistry, Aging, and Dynamics)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4626 KiB  
Article
A Bayesian-Optimized Surrogate Model Integrating Deep Learning Algorithms for Correcting PurpleAir Sensor Measurements
by Masrur Ahmed, Jing Kong, Ningbo Jiang, Hiep Nguyen Duc, Praveen Puppala, Merched Azzi, Matthew Riley and Xavier Barthelemy
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121535 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 518
Abstract
Lowcost sensors are widely used for air quality monitoring due to their affordability, portability and easy maintenance. However, the performance of such sensors, such as PurpleAir Sensors (PAS), is often affected by changes in environmental (e.g., temperature and humidity) or emission conditions, and [...] Read more.
Lowcost sensors are widely used for air quality monitoring due to their affordability, portability and easy maintenance. However, the performance of such sensors, such as PurpleAir Sensors (PAS), is often affected by changes in environmental (e.g., temperature and humidity) or emission conditions, and hence the resulting measurements require corrections to ensure accuracy and validity. Traditional correction methods, like those developed by the USEPA, have limitations, particularly for applications to geographically diverse settings and sensors with no collocated referenced monitoring stations available. This study introduces BaySurcls, a Bayesianoptimised surrogate model integrating deep learning (DL) algorithms to improve the PurpleAir sensor PM2.5 (PAS2.5) measurement accuracy. The framework incorporates environmental variables such as humidity and temperature alongside aerosol characteristics, to refine sensor readings. The BaySurcls model corrects the PAS2.5 data for both collocated and noncollocated monitoring scenarios. In a case study across multiple locations in New South Wales, Australia, BaySurcls demonstrated significant improvements over traditional correction methods, including the USEPA model. BaySurcls reduced root mean square error (RMSE) by an average of 20% in collocated scenarios, with reductions of up to 25% in highvariation sites. Additionally, BaySurcls achieved Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) scores as high as 0.88 in collocated cases, compared to scores below 0.4 for the USEPA method. In noncollocated scenarios, BaySurcls maintained NSE values between 0.60 and 0.78, outperforming standalone models. This improvement is evident across multiple locations in New South Wales, Australia, demonstrating the model’s adaptability. The findings confirm BaySurcls as a promising solution for improving the reliability of lowcost sensor data, thus facilitating its valid use in air quality research, impact assessment, and environmental management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2333 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Long-Term Monitoring of Radon Levels in a Low-Ventilated, Semi-Underground Laboratory—Dose Estimation and Exploration of Potential Earthquake Precursors
by Ljiljana Gulan
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121534 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 350
Abstract
This study involves continuous radon monitoring during the academic year 2023/2024. An Airthings Corentium Home radon detector placed in the basement laboratory of a faculty building in Kosovska Mitrovica (N 42.897°, E 20.867°) was used for continuous measurements. The average radon concentration was [...] Read more.
This study involves continuous radon monitoring during the academic year 2023/2024. An Airthings Corentium Home radon detector placed in the basement laboratory of a faculty building in Kosovska Mitrovica (N 42.897°, E 20.867°) was used for continuous measurements. The average radon concentration was 303 Bq/m3, and a seasonal pattern during the measuring period was observed. For the first time, the results were grouped by week, excluding non-working days, to present a real case scenario with the aim of assessing the radon exposure of students, teachers, and employed persons. The inhalation dose from radon (1.54 mSv) was very high considering that exposure occurred in both semesters. Another aspect of continuous radon monitoring was to explore the relationship between indoor radon measurements and the occurrences of earthquakes in the Balkan region. Daily variations in radon (peaks and differences) were analyzed at the monitoring site by using both empirical laws and taking into account the earthquake data set provided by the Seismological Survey of Serbia. The analysis revealed that the events chosen to confirm a clear association between earthquake occurrence and enhanced radon activities in the air(as a precursor of seismic activities) did not meet the required criteria but most likely reflected external meteorological conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Radon Measurement and Radiation Exposure Assessment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 7431 KiB  
Article
Cyclone Classification over the South Atlantic Ocean in Centenary Reanalysis
by Eduardo Traversi de Cai Conrado, Rosmeri Porfírio da Rocha, Michelle Simões Reboita and Andressa Andrade Cardoso
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121533 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Since the beginning of the satellite era, only three tropical cyclones have been recorded over the South Atlantic Ocean. To investigate the potential occurrence of such systems since the 1900s, ERA20C, a centennial reanalysis, was utilised. This study first evaluates the performance of [...] Read more.
Since the beginning of the satellite era, only three tropical cyclones have been recorded over the South Atlantic Ocean. To investigate the potential occurrence of such systems since the 1900s, ERA20C, a centennial reanalysis, was utilised. This study first evaluates the performance of ERA20C in reproducing the climatology of all cyclone types over the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean by comparing it with a modern reanalysis (ERA5) for the period 1979–2010. Despite its simpler construction, ERA20C is able to reproduce key climatological features, such as frequency, location, seasonality, intensity, and thermal structure of cyclones similar to ERA5. Then, the Cyclone Phase Space (CPS) methodology was applied to determine the thermal structure at each time step for every cyclone between 1900 and 2010 in ERA20C. The cyclones were then categorised into different types (extratropical, subtropical, and tropical), and systems exhibiting a warm core at their initial time step were classified as tropical cyclogenesis. Between 1900 and 2010, 96 cases of tropical cyclogenesis were identified over the South Atlantic. Additionally, throughout the lifetime of all cyclones, a total of 1838 time steps exhibited a tropical structure, indicating that cyclones can acquire a warm core at different stages of their lifecycle. The coasts of southeastern and southern sectors of northeast Brazil emerged as the most favourable for cyclones with tropical structures during their lifecycle. The findings of this study highlight the occurrence of tropical cyclones in the South Atlantic prior to the satellite era, providing a foundation for future research into the physical mechanisms that enabled these events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyclones: Types and Phase Transitions)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2736 KiB  
Article
Impact of Nanoparticles as an Air Pollutant on Angulin-1/Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor in Asthma
by DaYeon Hwang, Min-Hyeok An, Pureun-Haneul Lee, Jung-Hyun Kim, Yunha Nam, Shinhee Park, Ae-Rin Baek and An-Soo Jang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1532; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121532 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 446
Abstract
Background: The tricellular tight junction protein angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is linked to numerous signal transduction pathways that govern gene expression, epithelial cell function, and morphogenesis. The effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on LSR and asthma remains unknown. The objective of [...] Read more.
Background: The tricellular tight junction protein angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is linked to numerous signal transduction pathways that govern gene expression, epithelial cell function, and morphogenesis. The effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on LSR and asthma remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of TiO2 on LSR expression in asthma. Methods: A TiO2-induced animal model of asthma was established using BALB/c mice and cell lines using normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) lung cells and we examined LSR, RAGE, and TGFβ expression using this model. Additionally, we analyzed plasma-LSR concentrations and their correlation with clinical variables in asthma patients and control subjects. Results: The LSR concentrations in patients with asthma were lower compared to controls, and were correlated with lung function and inflammatory cell ratio. In NHBE cells treated with Derp1, LSR protein expression was reduced and changed by exposure to TiO2, whereas TGFβ expression was increased and changed. In mouse lungs, LSR expression was significantly reduced in OVA mice and changed in OVA/TiO2 mice. Conclusion: Circulating LSR levels were decreased and correlated with clinical variables in patients with asthma, and they were influenced by TiO2 exposure in mice, suggesting the potential involvement of LSR in asthma pathogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Air Pollution and Human Exposures)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 803 KiB  
Systematic Review
Analyzing the Reliability and Cost of the Most Commonly Used Dosimeters for Personal Ultraviolet Radiation Monitoring—A Rapid Review
by Marco Caetano, João Gregório and Marília Silva Paulo
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1531; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121531 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 472
Abstract
To identify the most used dosimeters for monitoring ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and analyze their reliability and cost for individual UV exposure monitoring, this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An extensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and [...] Read more.
To identify the most used dosimeters for monitoring ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and analyze their reliability and cost for individual UV exposure monitoring, this study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An extensive search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering 2005–2023, was conducted, including examining reference lists of retrieved studies. Of the 1202 records, 52 were eligible for analysis. Three types of dosimeters were identified: photosensitive, photochromic, and electronic dosimeters. Photosensitive dosimeters were utilized for 1236 samples across the studies, while photochromic dosimeters were employed for 360 samples. Electronic dosimeters, with a sample size of 3632, were the most extensively studied. This study highlights the variety of resources available for UVR assessment and the significance of specific dosimeter types in this field. Although few studies have explored the costs associated with dosimeter use, electronic dosimeters are the most cost-effective for radiation monitoring and provide the highest accuracy for measuring UVR exposure. Electronic dosimeters, known for real-time data and high precision, are reliable but costly, being approximately 16.5 times more expensive than photosensitive dosimeters and 160 times more expensive than photochromic dosimeters. Photosensitive dosimeters suit large-scale personal use, and photochromic sensors such as polysulphone dosimeters are also reliable. Additional costs for data analysis software, laboratory equipment, or external analysis services may be incurred, especially for advanced research-grade sensors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3080 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Doppler Wind Lidar Detection Efficiency and Influencing Factors at Plateau Airport: A Case Study of Lhasa Gonggar Airport
by Junjie Wu, Hongyu Du, Chunjiong Xia and Xiaoyuan Huang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121530 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 465
Abstract
Doppler wind lidar (DWL) demonstrates significant advantages in wind field detection under clear weather conditions and has been widely applied in airports with complex wind environments. However, its detection performance is highly susceptible to weather conditions and meteorological factors. To address this issue, [...] Read more.
Doppler wind lidar (DWL) demonstrates significant advantages in wind field detection under clear weather conditions and has been widely applied in airports with complex wind environments. However, its detection performance is highly susceptible to weather conditions and meteorological factors. To address this issue, this study analyzes the detection efficiency of DWL based on data collected at Lhasa Gonggar Airport from August 2023 to April 2024, along with ground-based meteorological observations. The results indicate that when the detection efficiency dropped to 40%, the average detection range for the plan position indicator (PPI) mode and Doppler beam swinging (DBS) mode were 5.3 km and 2.7 km, respectively. The influence of different underlying surface types on detection efficiency was minimal, with detection efficiency at a 270° azimuth slightly better than at a 90° azimuth. A 4° elevation angle performed better than a 6° elevation angle. During the study period, the detection efficiency generally improved, with the lowest detection efficiency being observed in August, suggesting that precipitation significantly impacts performance. In August, the detection efficiency of the PPI mode dropped below 50% at 4 km, while the highest detection efficiency occurred in April, where performance remained above 50% at 7 km. This is associated with enhanced thermal and dynamic activity in the lower atmosphere. Low-cloud activity also affected the detection performance of the DBS mode. The daily variation in the detection range in April was more pronounced than in January, with the detection range generally being larger. The increase in detection range was related to the more active vertical atmospheric mixing. The PPI mode was more sensitive to changes in meteorological factors, with its median detection range being 0.2–0.6 km shorter than that of the DBS mode when the meteorological optical range (MOR) was less than 4 km. Additionally, the PPI mode showed weaker stability than the DBS mode when relative humidity was below 75%. When relative humidity exceeded 80%, both modes showed a linear decrease in detection efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 976 KiB  
Article
Forecasting Indoor Air Quality in Mexico City Using Deep Learning Architectures
by Jorge Altamirano-Astorga, J. Octavio Gutierrez-Garcia and Edgar Roman-Rangel
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121529 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths per year due to its strong association with several diseases and respiratory afflictions. Consequently, air quality monitoring and forecasting systems have been deployed in large urban areas. However, those systems forecast outdoor air quality while people [...] Read more.
Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths per year due to its strong association with several diseases and respiratory afflictions. Consequently, air quality monitoring and forecasting systems have been deployed in large urban areas. However, those systems forecast outdoor air quality while people living in relatively large cities spend most of their time indoors. Hence, this work proposes an indoor air quality forecasting system, which was trained with data from Mexico City, and that is supported by deep learning architectures. The novelty of our work is that we forecast an indoor air quality index, taking into account seasonal data for multiple horizons in terms of minutes; whereas related work mostly focuses on forecasting concentration levels of pollutants for a single and relatively large forecasting horizon, using data from a short period of time. To find the best forecasting model, we conducted extensive experimentation involving 133 deep learning models. The deep learning architectures explored were multilayer perceptrons, long short-term memory neural networks, 1-dimension convolutional neural networks, and hybrid architectures, from which LSTM rose as the best-performing architecture. The models were trained using (i) outdoor air pollution data, (ii) publicly available weather data, and (iii) data collected from an indoor air quality sensor that was installed in a house located in a central neighborhood of Mexico City for 17 months. Our empirical results show that deep learning models can forecast an indoor air quality index based on outdoor concentration levels of pollutants in conjunction with indoor and outdoor meteorological variables. In addition, our findings show that the proposed method performs with a mean squared error of 0.0179 and a mean absolute error of 0.1038. We also noticed that 5 months of historical data are enough for accurate training of the forecast models, and that shallow models with around 50,000 parameters have enough predicting power for this task. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Research on Transboundary Air Pollution Control and Cooperative Strategies Based on Differential Game
by Chengyue Yu, Guoping Tu and Feilong Yu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121528 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 393
Abstract
This paper examines control and cooperation mechanisms for trans-regional air pollution using differential game theory. This study focuses on analyzing pollution control pathways in regions characterized by asymmetric economic development. Three models are constructed: the Nash non-cooperative game, the pollution control cost compensation [...] Read more.
This paper examines control and cooperation mechanisms for trans-regional air pollution using differential game theory. This study focuses on analyzing pollution control pathways in regions characterized by asymmetric economic development. Three models are constructed: the Nash non-cooperative game, the pollution control cost compensation mechanism, and the collaborative cooperation mechanism. These models are used to investigate optimal pollution control strategies for various regions. The findings indicate that the collaborative cooperation model substantially reduces pollution emissions and enhances overall benefits. Additionally, the pollution control cost compensation mechanism alleviates the burden of pollution control on less developed regions. Numerical analysis confirms the effectiveness of the proposed models and offers theoretical foundations and policy recommendations for regional cooperation in pollution prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 15122 KiB  
Article
Effects of the Northeast Monsoon on Different Terrain of the Taipei Basin and Lanyang Plain in Taiwan
by Pei-Di Jeng and Jou-Ping Hou
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121527 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 367
Abstract
The Taipei Basin (TPB) and the Lanyang Plain (LYP) are geographically similar, both situated in northern Taiwan. However, significant differences in heat transfer processes arise between the two regions due to local terrain influences under the Northeast Monsoon. Precipitation patterns in the TPB [...] Read more.
The Taipei Basin (TPB) and the Lanyang Plain (LYP) are geographically similar, both situated in northern Taiwan. However, significant differences in heat transfer processes arise between the two regions due to local terrain influences under the Northeast Monsoon. Precipitation patterns in the TPB and LYP, especially during the case study of 26 November 2021, differ markedly due to the distinctive dustpan-shaped terrain of the LYP. Our study, based on the WRF model, reveals that while both the TPB and LYP are characterized by downward cold air transfer, the TPB exhibits stronger atmospheric boundary layer mixing and a higher mixing layer height compared to the LYP. Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in the TPB is higher during the morning and evening, while vertical heat flux is more pronounced in the LYP. The average sensible heat flux is greater in the TPB, whereas latent heat flux is higher in the LYP. In addition, the amount of water vapor transported into the LYP by the Northeast Monsoon is greater than in the TPB. In the TPB, the wind field, influenced by the terrain, shifts predominantly from northeast to northeasterly and southeasterly. However, upon entering the LYP, the same environmental wind field is affected by the dustpan-shaped terrain, resulting in a counterclockwise near-surface wind pattern. The wind field transitions from northeasterly in the north to westerly, southwesterly, or northwesterly in the south. This difference in wind field causes precipitation in the TPB to be confined mainly to the windward side of the mountainous areas whereas, in the LYP, precipitation occurs both on the windward side and, more abundantly, in the plains. The effect of different types of terrain under the Northeast Monsoon is quite obvious. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meteorology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

35 pages, 479 KiB  
Review
Typologizing the Hydro-Environmental Research on Climate Change Adaptation of Water Infrastructure in the Mediterranean Region
by Anastasios I. Stamou, Georgios Mitsopoulos, Athanasios Sfetsos, Athanasia Tatiana Stamou, Konstantinos V. Varotsos, Christos Giannakopoulos and Aristeidis Koutroulis
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121526 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Water Infrastructure (WI), incorporating water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems, is vulnerable to climate change impacts that can disrupt their functionality; thus, WI needs to be adapted to climate change. In 2021, the European Commission (EC) released the technical guidelines on “Climate-proofing Infrastructure” [...] Read more.
Water Infrastructure (WI), incorporating water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems, is vulnerable to climate change impacts that can disrupt their functionality; thus, WI needs to be adapted to climate change. In 2021, the European Commission (EC) released the technical guidelines on “Climate-proofing Infrastructure” that include mitigation and adaptation strategies; these guidelines, and the relevant guides that followed, focus mainly on climate change aspects without examining sufficiently the engineering features of WI that are described mainly in the relevant hydro-environmental research; this research is vast and includes various terminologies and methods for all aspects of climate change adaptation. The adaptation procedure of WI to climate change is improved when this research is known to guidelines’ developers. In the present work, to facilitate this knowledge transfer, we typologize the hydro-environmental research via its classification into five categories that are based on the EC guidelines and then perform a literature review that we present as follows: firstly, we introduce and typologize the climate hazards for WI systems and identify the most common of them in the Mediterranean region that we classify into seven groups; then, we classify the hydro-environmental research into five categories based on the EC guidelines, present the main aspects for each of these categories, discuss the future research; and finally, we summarize the conclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Drivers and Impacts of Climate Change Over the Eastern Mediterranean)
17 pages, 7407 KiB  
Article
Indoor Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Relationship to Ambient Air, Risk Estimation, and Source Apportionment Based on Household Measurements
by Mario Lovrić, Nikolina Račić, Gordana Pehnec, Tajana Horvat, Marija Jelena Lovrić Štefiček and Ivana Jakovljević
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1525; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121525 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 494
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are key components of particulate matter (PM) in terms of the toxicological risk of polluted air. Although commonly monitored in ambient air, PAHs are also present in indoor air, making the measurement of indoor PAH content essential for understanding [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are key components of particulate matter (PM) in terms of the toxicological risk of polluted air. Although commonly monitored in ambient air, PAHs are also present in indoor air, making the measurement of indoor PAH content essential for understanding the health risks associated with indoor environments. This study presents findings from measurements conducted across 37 households where children resided, using 7-day sampling campaigns to collect PM1. The health risk assessment methods are detailed herein, along with a source apportionment analysis to explore the associations with potential sources and differences from ambient air concentrations. Additionally, the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was calculated to assess long-term health risks associated with exposure to indoor PAHs. The results showed consistently higher PAH concentrations in outdoor environments (from 0.079 ng m−3 for dibenzo(a,h)anthracene to 1.638 ng m−3 for benzo(b)fluoranthene) compared to indoor environments (from 0.029 ng m−3 for dibenzo(a,h)anthracene to 0.772 ng m−3 for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene), suggesting significant transfer of PAHs from outdoor to indoor air. The source apportionment analysis indicated that traffic emissions, fossil fuel combustion, and residential heating were the predominant sources of PAHs in both environments, with the concentration of indoor PAHs largely influenced by gasoline and liquid fossil fuel combustion. The diagnostic ratios supported these findings, with coal and biomass as additional sources impacting outdoor PAH levels. The ILCR analysis revealed that the exposure levels for both children (indoors at 1.78 × 10−5, outdoors at 1.92 × 10−6) and adults (indoors at 1.15 × 10−5, outdoors at 1.24 × 10−6) remained below the U.S. EPA’s risk threshold, suggesting limited carcinogenic risk under typical household conditions in this study. These findings emphasize the complexity of PAH distribution between indoor and outdoor environments, illustrating how urban outdoor pollution sources contribute to indoor air quality and highlighting the relevance of effective air quality management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies for Observation of Air Pollution)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1973 KiB  
Article
Climate Factors Dominate the Spatial Distribution of Soil Nutrients in Desert Grassland
by Chunrong Guo, Ruixu Zhao, Hongtao Jiang and Wenjing Qu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1524; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121524 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 342
Abstract
Soil nutrient distribution in desert grasslands is predominantly influenced by climatic factors, particularly precipitation and temperature. Siziwang Banner, situated within the desert grassland belt of Inner Mongolia, represents a typical arid zone where soil nutrient dynamics are shaped by the interplay of precipitation, [...] Read more.
Soil nutrient distribution in desert grasslands is predominantly influenced by climatic factors, particularly precipitation and temperature. Siziwang Banner, situated within the desert grassland belt of Inner Mongolia, represents a typical arid zone where soil nutrient dynamics are shaped by the interplay of precipitation, temperature, and topography. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of soil nutrients and assess the dominant role of climatic factors in this region, using geostatistical analyses and GIS techniques. The results reveal that soil nutrients exhibit higher concentrations in surface layers, gradually decreasing with depth. Horizontally, a pronounced gradient can be observed, with nutrient levels being higher in the southern regions and lower in the northern regions. Precipitation and temperature emerge as decisive factors driving these patterns; increased precipitation enhances the accumulation of soil organic matter and nitrogen, whereas elevated temperatures accelerate decomposition of organic matter, leading to nutrient losses. These findings underscore the critical role of climatic factors in governing soil nutrient distribution, offering valuable insights for soil management and ecological restoration efforts in arid ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response of Vegetation to Climatic and Anthropogenic Drivers in the Plateau)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 4722 KiB  
Review
Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors: Biases, Corrections and Challenges in Their Comparability
by Idris Hayward, Nicholas A. Martin, Valerio Ferracci, Mohsen Kazemimanesh and Prashant Kumar
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121523 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 837
Abstract
Low-cost air quality sensors are a promising supplement to current reference methods for air quality monitoring but can suffer from issues that affect their measurement quality. Interferences from environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, cross-sensitivities with other gases and a low signal-to-noise ratio [...] Read more.
Low-cost air quality sensors are a promising supplement to current reference methods for air quality monitoring but can suffer from issues that affect their measurement quality. Interferences from environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, cross-sensitivities with other gases and a low signal-to-noise ratio make them difficult to use in air quality monitoring without significant time investment in calibrating and correcting their output. Many studies have approached these problems utilising a variety of techniques to correct for these biases. Some use physical methods, removing the variability in environmental conditions, whereas most adopt software corrections. However, these approaches are often not standardised, varying in study duration, measurement frequency, averaging period, average concentration of the target pollutant and the biases that are corrected. Some go further and include features with no direct connection to the measurement such as the level of traffic nearby, converting the initial measurement into a modelled value. Though overall trends in performance can be derived when aggregating the results from multiple studies, they do not always match observations from individual studies, a phenomenon observed across many different academic fields and known as “Simpson’s Paradox”. The preference of performance metrics which utilise the square of the error, such as root mean squared error (RMSE) and r2, over ones which use the absolute error, such as mean absolute error (MAE), makes comparing results between models and studies difficult. Ultimately, comparisons between studies are either difficult or unwise depending on the metrics used, and this literature review recommends that efforts are made to standardise the reporting of calibration and correction studies. By utilising metrics which do not use the square of the error (e.g., MAE), models can be more easily compared within and between studies. By not only reporting the raw error but also the error normalised by multiple factors (including the reference mean and reference absolute deviation), the variabilities induced by environmental factors such as proximity to pollution sources can be minimised. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2127 KiB  
Review
A Review of Typhoon Inner Core Characteristics and Their Relationship with Intensity Changes
by Shumin Chen and Weibiao Li
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1522; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121522 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 466
Abstract
The inner core of a typhoon plays a crucial role in storm intensification and is especially critical for rapid increases in storm intensity. Most of the energy exchange occurs in the inner core, including the eyewall. Moist air rising from the warm ocean [...] Read more.
The inner core of a typhoon plays a crucial role in storm intensification and is especially critical for rapid increases in storm intensity. Most of the energy exchange occurs in the inner core, including the eyewall. Moist air rising from the warm ocean releases latent heat, increasing wind speeds and sustaining the warm-core structure through secondary circulations. A deeper understanding of the physical processes in the inner core is essential for improving intensity forecasts and disaster preparedness and mitigation. This paper reviews key studies on the inner core. We focus on lead–lag relationships, eyewall replacement cycles, and waves and oscillations, which are topics that can greatly enhance forecasting capabilities. We highlight limitations of current research and propose key scientific questions that would provide essential insights to improve forecasts and support disaster reduction strategies. These include: (1) what are the physical processes that drive the lead–lag relationship between eyewall convection and intensity changes, and how does the time lag vary across typhoons? (2) What conditions favor merging of the inner and outer eyewalls and completion of the eyewall replacement cycle, potentially leading to rapid intensification before landfall? (3) How do waves and oscillations in the eyewall influence typhoon intensity variations? Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tropical Cyclones: Observations and Prediction (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3208 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit
by Leiddi Leal, Vanessa Yamanaka, Ermelinda Pereira, Joseane Theodoro, Maria de Fátima Domingues, Isabel Fernandes, Marta Fonseca Gabriel and Manuel Feliciano
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1521; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121521 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 445
Abstract
The accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure areas [...] Read more.
The accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure areas during surgeries using general anesthesia. Measurements of desflurane, sevoflurane, carbon dioxide, air temperature, and relative humidity were taken during 20 surgeries carried out over approximately six months. The results showed that the thermal conditions were not adequately controlled, particularly the relative humidity levels. The detected WAG concentrations fluctuated across different locations, with concerning peaks being detected in specific settings. Desflurane levels reached 8.79 ppm in the general surgery room (GSR) and averaged 3.13 ppm in the recovery room (RR), while the sevoflurane levels averaged 2.06 ppm in the RR. High concentrations exceeding the recommendations of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were notably observed after endotracheal tube removal. In short surgeries, anesthetic gas levels exceeded safety limits, while long surgeries caused peaks in sevoflurane levels. Longer surgeries and higher occupancy were significantly linked to increased levels of WAG and carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need to improve ventilation and environmental controls to safeguard healthcare professionals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Indoor Air Quality: Monitoring, Analysis and Assessment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 845 KiB  
Article
The PM2.5-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Behavior in Indoor and Outdoor Environments, Part III: Role of Environmental Settings in Elevating Indoor Concentrations of Benzo(a)pyrene
by Gordana Jovanović, Mirjana Perišić, Timea Bezdan, Svetlana Stanišić, Kristina Radusin, Aleksandar Popović and Andreja Stojić
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1520; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121520 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 326
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the impact of indoor sources and outdoor air on indoor PM2.5-bound benzo(a)pyrene, with a focus on identifying emission sources and understanding the influence of environmental variables. For this purpose, we collected indoor and outdoor data on [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the impact of indoor sources and outdoor air on indoor PM2.5-bound benzo(a)pyrene, with a focus on identifying emission sources and understanding the influence of environmental variables. For this purpose, we collected indoor and outdoor data on PM2.5-bound PAHs, inorganic gaseous pollutants, trace metals, ions, radon, and meteorological parameters, resulting in a comprehensive dataset of 100 variables from an urban site in Belgrade, Serbia. We applied seven regression tree ensemble algorithms to interrelate the variables alongside six metaheuristic optimization algorithms to refine model accuracy and robustness. Subsequently, we explained the best-performing model locally using Shapley additive explanations and clustered variables with similar impacts into distinct groups. These groups were systematically characterized, defining them as environmental settings that shape benzo(a)pyrene dynamics. The setting resulting in the highest indoor benzo(a)pyrene concentrations (197% to 297% relative to the expected value) was dominated by outdoor emissions associated with residential heating and traffic (up to 140%) and indoor source identified as cooking. This integrated approach uniquely enables a quantitative assessment of the contributions from both indoor and outdoor emission sources to pollutant concentrations in indoor spaces, underscoring the importance of both in shaping indoor air quality. Unlike traditional source apportionment methods that assume linear source mixing, our approach integrates nonlinear interactions and contextual variables, such as meteorological conditions and outdoor pollutants, to better capture indoor air quality dynamics. The results also highlight the need for further studies to explore broader contextual factors and refine source attribution in complex urban settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3011 KiB  
Article
Geo-Statistical Characterization of Annual Maximum Daily Rainfall Variability in Semi-Arid Regions
by Mohammed Achite, Tommaso Caloiero, Muhammad Jehanzaib, Andrzej Wałęga, Alban Kuriqi and Gaetano Pellicone
Atmosphere 2024, 15(12), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15121519 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 440
Abstract
In the Wadi Cheliff basin (Algeria), a 48-year (1971–2018) time series of annual maximum daily rainfall was studied to identify and quantify trends observed at 150 rain gauges. Initial trends in annual maximum daily rainfall were determined using the Mann–Kendall test, with a [...] Read more.
In the Wadi Cheliff basin (Algeria), a 48-year (1971–2018) time series of annual maximum daily rainfall was studied to identify and quantify trends observed at 150 rain gauges. Initial trends in annual maximum daily rainfall were determined using the Mann–Kendall test, with a significance level of 95%. The slope or increase/decrease in the annual maximum daily precipitation was assessed using the Theil–Sen estimator. A running trend analysis was then performed to quantify the effects of different time windows on trend detection. Finally, to assess the different spatial distribution of annual maximum daily precipitation during the observation period, spatial analysis was performed using a geo-statistical approach for the whole observation period and at different decades. The results showed a predominant negative trend in annual maximum daily rainfall (about 11% of rain gauges at a 95% significance level), mainly affecting the north-eastern area of the catchment. The spatial distribution of annual maximum daily rainfall showed high rainfall variability in the period of 1970–1980, with a decrease in the decades of 1980–1990 and 2010–2017 when the maximum values were more evenly distributed across the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Observations and Modeling of Precipitation Extremes and Tropical Cyclones (2nd Edition))
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-149
Previous Issue
Next Issue
Back to TopTop