Leaf waxes in litter and topsoils along a European transect SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-2-551-2016 25 October 2016 For this study we systematically investigated the molecular pattern of leaf waxes in litter and topsoils along a European transect to assess their potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Our results show that leaf wax patterns depend on the type of vegetation. The vegetation signal is not only found in the litter; it can also be preserved to some degree in the topsoil. Read more
Influence of groundwater on distribution of dwarf wedgemussels (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the upper reaches of the Delaware River, northeastern USA Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-4323-2016 25 October 2016 The remaining populations of the endangered dwarf wedgemussel (DWM) (Alasmidonta heterodon) in the upper Delaware River, northeastern USA, were thought to be located in areas of substantial groundwater discharge to the river. Physical, thermal, and geophysical methods applied at several spatial scales indicate that DWM are located within or directly downstream of areas of substantial groundwater discharge to the river. DWM may depend on groundwater discharge for their survival. Read more
Glacier change and glacial lake outburst flood risk in the Bolivian Andes The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-2399-2016 20 October 2016 This is the first study of recent glacier change for the whole of the Bolivian Cordillera Oriental from 1986 to 2014. These glaciers have shrunk by ~ 43 %, which is a concern for regional water resources. We provide the first quantification of meltwater lake development across the Bolivian Andes as glaciers have receded. These lakes have increased markedly in number and area. We identify 25 lakes as potential outburst flood risks to downstream communities. These lakes require further monitoring. Read more
Optical properties and aging of light-absorbing secondary organic aerosol Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-12815-2016 14 October 2016 Light absorbing organic aerosols (BrC) absorb sunlight thereby influencing climate; however, understanding of the link between their optical properties and environmental variables remains limited. Our chamber experiment results suggest that variables including NOxconcentration, RH level, and photolysis time have considerable influence on secondary BrC optical properties. The results contribute to a more accurate characterization of the impacts of aerosols on climate, especially in urban areas. Read more
GMMIP (v1.0) contribution to CMIP6: Global Monsoons Model Inter-comparison Project Geoscientific Model Development DOI 10.5194/gmd-9-3589-2016 10 October 2016 This paper tells why to launch the Global Monsoons Model Inter-comparison Project (GMMIP) and how to achieve its scientific goals on monsoon variability. It addresses the scientific questions to be answered, describes three tiered experiments comprehensively and proposes a basic analysis framework to guide future research. It will help the monsoon research communities to understand the objectives of the GMMIP and the modelling groups involved in the GMMIP conduct the experiments successfully. Read more
Brief communication: Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction – success or warning sign for Paris? Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-2189-2016 30 September 2016 In March 2015, a new international blueprint for disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been adopted in Sendai, Japan, at the end of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR, March 14–18, 2015). We review and discuss the agreed commitments and targets, as well as the negotiation leading the Sendai Framework for DRR (SFDRR), and discuss briefly its implication for the later UN-led negotiations on sustainable development goals and climate change. Read more
Screening of cloud microorganisms isolated at the Puy de Dôme (France) station for the production of biosurfactants Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-12347-2016 29 September 2016 A total of 480 microorganisms collected from 39 clouds sampled in France were isolated and identified. This unique collection was screened for biosurfactant production by measuring the surface tension. 41 % of the tested strains were active producers.Pseudomonas, the most frequently detected genus in clouds, was the dominant group for the production of biosurfactants. Further, the potential impact of the production of biosurfactants by cloud microorganisms on atmospheric processes is discussed. Read more
First characterization and validation of FORLI-HNO3 vertical profiles retrieved from IASI/Metop Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-9-4783-2016 27 September 2016 HNO3 concentrations are obtained from the IASI instrument and the data set is characterized for the first time in terms of vertical profiles, averaging kernels and error profiles. A validation is also conducted through a comparison with ground-based FTIR measurements, with good results. The data set is then used to analyse HNO3 spatial and temporal variability for the year 2011. The latitudinal gradient and the large seasonal variability in polar regions are well represented with IASI data. Read more
Quantifying ice loss in the eastern Himalayas since 1974 using declassified spy satellite imagery The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-2203-2016 23 September 2016 Here we utilize declassified spy satellite imagery to quantify ice volume loss of glaciers in the eastern Himalayas over approximately the last three decades. Clean-ice and debris-covered glaciers show similar magnitudes of ice loss, while calving glaciers are contributing a disproportionately large amount to total ice loss. Results highlight important physical processes affecting the ice mass budget and associated water resources in the Himalayas. Read more
Oxidation of sulfides and rapid weathering in recent landslides Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-4-727-2016 22 September 2016 Rapid dissolution of bedrock and regolith mobilised by landslides can be an important control on rates of overall chemical weathering in mountain ranges. In this study we analysed a number of landslides and rivers in Taiwan to better understand why this occurs. We find that sulfuric acid resulting from rapid oxidation of highly reactive sulfides in landslide deposits drives the intense weathering and can set catchment-scale solute budgets. This could be a CO2source in fast-eroding mountains. Read more
Muographic data analysis method for medium-sized rock overburden inspections Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-5-427-2016 21 September 2016 A paper focusing on the application of elementary particle physics to the measurements of rock overburden density structures that might be directly applicable to natural resources and undiscovered cave explorations, and even to searching for hidden chambers in historic architectural structures. Read more
A geological model for the management of subsurface data in the urban environment of Barcelona and surrounding area Solid Earth DOI 10.5194/se-7-1317-2016 16 September 2016 This study shows the need for a symbiotic relationship between government and research groups for efficient management of geologic data in urban environments. Through its implementation, both the city administration and private companies benefit from the feedback of geologic knowledge acquired during this process, thereby substantially reducing the cost of construction projects and facilitating the development of aquifer management plans. Read more
Dispersion in deep polar firn driven by synoptic-scale surface pressure variability The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-2099-2016 15 September 2016 The upper 50–100 m of the world’s ice sheets consists of the firn layer, a porous layer of snow that is slowly compacted by overlying snow. Understanding air movement inside the firn is critical for ice core climate reconstructions. Buizert and Severinghaus identify and describe a new mechanism of firn air movement. High- and low-pressure systems force air movement in the firn that drives strong mixing, called dispersion. Dispersion is the main mechanism for air mixing in the deep firn. Read more
Sea-ice indicators of polar bear habitat The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-2027-2016 14 September 2016 Polar bears, found in 19 distinct regions of the Arctic, depend on sea ice as a platform for hunting. Using satellite data of sea ice for the period 1979–2014, we found that the date of sea-ice retreat in spring is arriving weeks earlier, and the date of sea-ice advance in fall is arriving weeks later, in all 19 regions. We calculated several other measures of sea ice, which all show declines. These measures were designed to be useful for management agencies to assess polar bear habitat. Read more
Using present-day observations to detect when anthropogenic change forces surface ocean carbonate chemistry outside preindustrial bounds Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-13-5065-2016 13 September 2016 Ocean carbonate observations from surface buoys reveal that marine life is currently exposed to conditions outside preindustrial bounds at 12 study locations around the world. Seasonal conditions in the California Current Ecosystem and Gulf of Maine also exceed thresholds that may impact shellfish larvae. High-resolution observations place long-term change in the context of large natural variability: a necessary step to understand ocean acidification impacts under real-world conditions. Read more
Long-term visibility variation in Athens (1931–2013): a proxy for local and regional atmospheric aerosol loads Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-11219-2016 12 September 2016 Historical time series are unique sources of information for past climate and atmospheric composition change. The 82-year time series of visibility data collected at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) was an excellent proxy for the long-term evolution of particulate pollution in the eastern Mediterranean, at times when direct aerosol measurements were missing. Evolution of particulate pollution of both local and regional origin is nicely reflected on visibility records of NOA. Read more
Interactions between climate change and human activities during the early to mid-Holocene in the eastern Mediterranean basins Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-1847-2016 12 September 2016 This paper focuses on early Holocene rapid climate changes in the Mediterranean zone, which are under-represented in continental archives, and on their impact on prehistoric societies from the eastern to central Mediterranean (central Anatolia, Cyprus, NE and NW Greece). Our study demonstrates the reality of hydrogeomorphological responses to early Holocene RCCs in valleys and alluvial fans and lake–marsh systems. We finally question their socio-economic and geographical adaptation capacities. Read more
Modified ion-Weibel instability as a possible source of wave activity at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-34-691-2016 31 August 2016 A new type of wave has been detected by the magnetometer of the Rosetta spacecraft close to comet P67/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. We provide the analytical model of this wave excitation from linear perturbation theory. A modified ion-Weibel instability is identified as source of this wave excited by a cometary current. The waves predominantly grow perpendicular to this current. A fan-like phase structure results from superposing the strongest growing waves in a cometary rest frame. Read more
New data on geology of the Southern Urals: a concise summary of research after the period of EUROPROBE activity Solid Earth DOI 10.5194/se-7-1269-2016 31 August 2016 The period between 1991 and 2005 was a time when many western geologists came to the Urals to get a closer look at this famous and extraordinarily rich region. The main reason was an openness policy of the USSR government, when foreigners were admitted to this area that was formerly almost closed. The co-operation of the western geologists with local specialists was very fruitful. The author aimed to describe the most interesting findings in Uralian geology after the learned guests left. Read more
Coherence among the Northern Hemisphere land, cryosphere, and ocean responses to natural variability and anthropogenic forcing during the satellite era Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-7-717-2016 30 August 2016 Using 3 decades of observational satellite and field data, we find that long-term changes in sea ice and sea level, plant phenology, and surface temperature are coherent with increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration and other global greenhouse gases. During the same period, natural causes of climate change should only have a net cooling long-term effect, suggesting the observed coherent pattern of changes across Earth’s biological and physical systems could only be due to human activities. Read more
Gravel threshold of motion: a state function of sediment transport disequilibrium? Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-4-685-2016 29 August 2016 Accurately predicting gravel transport rates in mountain rivers is difficult because of feedbacks with channel morphology. River bed surfaces evolve during floods, influencing transport rates. I propose that the threshold of gravel motion is a state variable for channel reach evolution. I develop a new model to predict how transport thresholds evolve as a function of transport rate, and then use laboratory flume experiments to calibrate and validate the model. Read more
Why CO2 cools the middle atmosphere – a consolidating model perspective Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-7-697-2016 29 August 2016 Carbon dioxide, while warming the Earth’s surface, cools the atmosphere beyond about 15 km (the middle atmosphere). This cooling is considered a fingerprint of anthropogenic global warming, yet the physical reason behind it remains prone to misconceptions. Here we use a simple radiation model to illustrate the physical essence of stratospheric cooling, and a complex climate model to quantify how strongly different mechanisms contribute. Read more
A thermodynamic formulation of root water uptake Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-3441-2016 29 August 2016 This theoretical paper describes the energy fluxes and dissipation along the flow paths involved in root water uptake, an approach that is rarely taken. We show that this provides useful additional insights for understanding the biotic and abiotic impediments to root water uptake. This approach shall be applied to explore efficient water uptake strategies and help locate the limiting processes in the complex soil–plant–atmosphere system. Read more
Impacts of aviation fuel sulfur content on climate and human health Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-10521-2016 24 August 2016 Using a coupled tropospheric chemistry-aerosol microphysics model this research paper investigates the effect of variations in aviation fuel sulfur content (FSC) on surface PM2.5 concentrations, increases in aviation-induced premature mortalities, low-level cloud condensation nuclei and radiative effect. When investigating the climatic impact of variations in FSC the ozone direct radiative effect, aerosol direct radiative effect and aerosol cloud albedo effect are quantified. Read more
Hemispherically asymmetric volcanic forcing of tropical hydroclimate during the last millennium Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-7-681-2016 23 August 2016 A band of intense rainfall exists near the equator known as the intertropical convergence zone, which can migrate in response to climate forcings. Here, we assess such migration in response to volcanic eruptions of varying spatial structure (Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, or an eruption fairly symmetric about the equator). We do this using model simulations of the last millennium and link results to energetic constraints and the imprint eruptions may leave behind in past records. Read more
Satellite observations of stratospheric hydrogen fluoride and comparisons with SLIMCAT calculations Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-10501-2016 22 August 2016 HF, the dominant stratospheric fluorine reservoir, results from the atmospheric degradation of anthropogenic species such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. All are strong greenhouse gases, and CFCs and HCFCs deplete stratospheric ozone. We report the comparison of HF global distributions and trends measured by the ACE-FTS and HALOE satellite instruments with the output of SLIMCAT, a chemical transport model. The global HF trends reveal a slowing down in the rate of increase of HF since the 1990s. Read more
Annual Greenland accumulation rates (2009–2012) from airborne snow radar The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1739-2016 11 August 2016 Contemporary climate warming over the Arctic is accelerating mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet through increasing surface melt, emphasizing the need to closely monitor surface mass balance in order to improve sea-level rise predictions. Here, we quantify the net annual accumulation over the Greenland Ice Sheet, which comprises the largest component of surface mass balance, at a higher spatial resolution than currently available using high-resolution, airborne-radar data. Read more
A review of marine geomorphometry, the quantitative study of the seafloor Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-3207-2016 9 August 2016 Geomorphometry, the science of quantitative terrain characterization, has traditionally focused on the investigation of terrestrial landscapes. More recently, a suite of geomorphometric techniques have been applied to characterize the seafloor. The dynamic, four-dimensional nature of the marine environment and differences in data collection methods cause issues for geomorphometry that are specific to marine applications. This article offers the first review of marine geomorphometry to date. Read more
Large gain in air quality compared to an alternative anthropogenic emissions scenario Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-9771-2016 4 August 2016 Three 30-year simulations of past atmospheric composition changes were performed using different anthropogenic emissions of pollutants accounting or not for the applied air quality legislation and accounting for the year–to–year observed climate and natural emissions variability. The actual benefit of applied legislation along with technological advances is higher than what is usually calculated by a simple comparison of today’s atmosphere against a constant anthropogenic emissions simulation. Read more
Drift simulation of MH370 debris using superensemble techniques Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-1623-2016 27 July 2016 In March 2014, a commercial airliner vanished without a trace. The main wreckage of the plane was never recovered, except for some small parts that washed up more than 17 months after the disappearance. In this paper we show a method to model the most likely trajectories of floating debris from the aircraft. The results show that the assumed area of the crash site is compatible with the recovered debris and predict that further debris may be found along the African east coast. Read more
Wave climate in the Arctic 1992–2014: seasonality and trends The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1605-2016 26 July 2016 Satellite observations show the Arctic sea ice has decreased the last 30 years. From our wave model hindcast and satellite altimeter datasets we observe profound increasing wave heights, which are caused by the loss of sea ice and not the driving winds. If ice-free conditions persist later into fall, then regions like the Beaufort–Chukchi Sea will be prone to developing larger waves since the driving winds are strong this time of year. Read more
Observed and simulated full-depth ocean heat-content changes for 1970–2005 Ocean Science DOI 10.5194/os-12-925-2016 26 July 2016 A new method of observing ocean heat content throughout the entire ocean depth is provided. The new method is compared with simulated ocean heat content changes from climate models. The comparisons are carried out in various depth layers of the ocean waters. It is found that there is excellent agreement between the models and the observations. Furthermore, we propose that changes to ocean heat content be used as a fundamental metric to evaluate climate models. Read more
Using video games for volcanic hazard education and communication: an assessment of the method and preliminary results Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-1673-2016 22 July 2016 Here, we aim to better understand the potential for using video games in volcanic hazard education with at-risk communities. A study using a bespoke-designed video game – St. Vincent’s Volcano – was trialled on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 2015. Preliminary data analysis demonstrates 94 % of study participants had an improved knowledge of volcanic hazards after playing the game, leading us to conclude that video games could be a logical progression for education and outreach activities. Read more
A post-wildfire response in cave dripwater chemistry Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-2745-2016 21 July 2016 Our current understanding of wildfires on Earth is filled with knowledge gaps. One reason for this is our poor record of fire in natural archives. We open the possibility for speleothems to be “a missing piece to the fire-puzzle”. We find by effecting surface evaporation and transpiration rates, wildfires can have a multi-year impact on speleothem, forming dripwater hydrology and chemistry. We open a new avenue for speleothems as potential palaeo-fire archives. Read more
The PRISM4 (mid-Piacenzian) paleoenvironmental reconstruction Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-1519-2016 13 July 2016 Past intervals in Earth history provide unique windows into conditions much different than those observed today. We investigated the paleoenvironments of a past warm interval (~ 3 million years ago). Our reconstruction includes data sets for surface temperature, vegetation, soils, lakes, ice sheets, topography, and bathymetry. These data are being used along with global climate models to expand our understanding of the climate system and to help us prepare for future changes. Read more
Can mussels be used as sentinel organisms for characterization of pollution in urban water systems? Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-2679-2016 8 July 2016 We assessed if nitrogen stable isotopes in mussels are a suitable indicator, capable of resolving spatial and temporal variability of nutrient pollution in an urban estuary. Our results highlight the value of using stable isotope analysis as an integrative tool to establish an understanding of local processes and pollution levels in theses urban aquatic systems. We suggest that mussels can become a robust tool for the detection of emerging anthropogenic pollutants of concern in urban water systems. Read more
Multi-scale statistical analysis of coronal solar activity Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-23-175-2016 8 July 2016 We use temperature maps of the solar corona for three regions and use a technique that separates multiple timescales and space scales to show that the small-scale temperature fluctuations appear more frequently prior to the occurrence of a solar flare, in comparison with the same region after the flare and with a quiet region. We find that, during the flare, energy flows from large to small scales and heat transport associated with a heat front is convective along and diffusive across the front. Read more
The impact of ancestral heath management on soils and landscapes: a reconstruction based on paleoecological analyses of soil records in the central and southeastern Netherlands SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-2-311-2016 4 July 2016 Soil records provide information about 5 millennia of heath management in cultural landscapes on sandy soils. Deforestations and the introduction of the deep, stable economy in the 18th century resulted in sand drifting and heath degradation. After the introduction of chemical fertilizers more than 90 % of the heaths were transformed into productive arable field or forests. Currently the last heaths are preserved as part of the cultural heritage. Read more
Impacts of Tibetan Plateau uplift on atmospheric dynamics and associated precipitation δ18O Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-1401-2016 28 June 2016 We use an isotope-equipped GCM and develop original theoretical expression for the precipitation composition to assess δ18O of paleo-precipitation changes with the Tibetan Plateau uplift. We show that δ18O of precipitation is very sensitive to climate changes related to the growth of mountains, notably changes in relative humidity and precipitation amount. Topography is shown to be not an exclusive controlling factor δ18O in precipitation that have crucial consequences for paleoelevation studies. Read more
Spatial and temporal variations in plant water-use efficiency inferred from tree-ring, eddy covariance and atmospheric observations Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-7-525-2016 28 June 2016 Our analysis allows us to infer maps of changing plant water-use efficiency (WUE) for 1901–2010, using atmospheric observations of temperature, humidity and CO2. Our estimated increase in global WUE is consistent with the tree-ring and eddy covariance data, but much larger than the historical WUE increases simulated by Earth System Models (ESMs). We therefore conclude that the effects of increasing CO2 on plant WUE are significantly underestimated in the latest climate projections. Read more
Increasing the accuracy and temporal resolution of two-filter radon–222 measurements by correcting for the instrument response Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-9-2689-2016 28 June 2016 Surface-based two-filter radon detectors monitor the ambient concentration of atmospheric radon-222, a natural tracer of mixing and transport. They are sensitive, but respond slowly to ambient changes in radon concentration. In this paper, a deconvolution method is used to successfully correct observations for the instrument response. Case studies demonstrate that it is beneficial, sometimes necessary, to account for the detector response, especially when studying near-surface mixing. Read more
Which are the highest peaks in the US Arctic? Fodar settles the debate The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1245-2016 23 June 2016 We measured the heights of the five tallest peaks in the US Arctic using fodar, a new airborne photogrammetric technique using structure-from-motion software. The highest peaks are Mt Isto (2735.6 m), Mt. Hubley (2717.6 m), Mt. Chamberlin (2712.3 m), Mt. Michelson (2698.1 m), and an unnamed peak (2694.9 m). We found fodar suitable for topographic change detection on the centimeter scale in steep mountain terrain, such as for measuring snow depths. Read more
Growth of nucleation mode particles in the summertime Arctic: a case study Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-7663-2016 23 June 2016 We present a case study focused on an aerosol growth event observed in the Canadian High Arctic during summer. Using measurements of aerosol chemical and physical properties we find evidence for aerosol growth into cloud condensation nuclei-active sizes, through marine-influenced secondary organic aerosol formation. Understanding the mechanisms that control the formation and growth of aerosol is crucial for our ability to predict cloud properties, and therefore radiative balance and climate. Read more
Greenland Ice Sheet seasonal and spatial mass variability from model simulations and GRACE (2003–2012) The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1259-2016 20 June 2016 We compared satellite-derived estimates of spatial and seasonal variations in Greenland Ice Sheet mass with a set of model simulations, revealing an agreement between models and satellite estimates for the ice-sheet-wide seasonal fluctuations in mass, but disagreement at finer spatial scales. The model simulations underestimate low-elevation mass loss. Improving the ability of models to capture variations and trends in Greenland Ice Sheet mass is important for estimating future sea level rise. Read more
A 7-year dataset for driving and evaluating snow models at an Arctic site (Sodankylä, Finland) Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-5-219-2016 16 June 2016 Physically based models that predict the properties of snow on the ground are used in many applications, but meteorological input data required by these models are hard to obtain in cold regions. Monitoring at the Sodankyla research station allows construction of model input and evaluation datasets covering several years for the first time in the Arctic. The data are used to show that a sophisticated snow model developed for warmer and wetter sites can perform well in very different conditions. Read more
Spring bloom onset in the Nordic Seas Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-13-3485-2016 15 June 2016 We investigated the bloom onset in the Nordic Seas using 6 bio-optical floats. We found that the float data are consistent with two possible scenarios for the onset of blooms in the Nordic Seas. The Nordic Seas blooms could have started either when the light became sufficiently abundant that the division rates exceeded the loss rates, or when the photoperiod, the number of daily light hours experienced by phytoplankton, exceeded a critical value. Read more
Estimate of changes in agricultural terrestrial nitrogen pathways and ammonia emissions from 1850 to present in the Community Earth System Model Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-13-3397-2016 13 June 2016 Future increases are predicted in the amount of nitrogen produced as manure or used as synthetic fertilizer in agriculture. However, the impact of climate on the subsequent fate of this nitrogen has not been evaluated. Here we describe, analyze and evaluate the FAN (flows of agricultural nitrogen) process model that simulates the the climate-dependent flows of nitrogen from agriculture. The FAN model is suitable for use within a global terrestrial climate model. Read more
Modeling 25 years of spatio-temporal surface water and inundation dynamics on large river basin scale using time series of Earth observation data Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-2227-2016 10 June 2016 We statistically modeled surface water extent (SWE) and inundation dynamics from a unique Landsat-based time series (1986–2011) for Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin as a function of river flow and spatially explicit time series of rainfall, evapotranspiration and soil moisture. We present a data-driven and transferable approach that allowed us to model SWE through periods of flooding and drying for 363 floodplain units and to identify local combinations of variables that drive SWE dynamics. Read more
Return glider radiosonde for in situ upper-air research measurements Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-9-2535-2016 9 June 2016 New radiosonde instruments for humidity-, radiation- and gas-profile measurements were introduced in recent years for atmospheric research and climate monitoring. Such instruments are intended to be reused on multiple flights. Here we introduce the return glider radiosonde (RGR), which enables flying and retrieving valuable in situ upper-air instruments. The RGR is lifted with weather balloons to a preset altitude, and a built-in autopilot flies the glider autonomously back to the launch site. Read more
Causes and systematics of inundations of the Krasnodar territory on the Russian Black Sea coast Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-1289-2016 8 June 2016 Inundations on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar territory of the Russian Federation were analysed for 1945 to 2013. Risks, hazards and damage from inundations here are some of the highest in the country. The large quantity and the extremeness of rainfall, and the intense flood regimes of the rivers are the main contributors. Additionally, anthropogenic impact such as badly planned economic activities in channels, floodplains and on river watersheds strongly enhance the effects. Read more