Halogen species record Antarctic sea ice extent over glacial–interglacial periods Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-6623-2013 12 July 2013 Here we present speciation measurements of bromine and iodine in the TALDICE (TALos Dome Ice CorE) ice core (159°11’ E, 72°49’ S; 2315 m a.s.l.) spanning the last 215 ky. Based on our results we propose the use of both halogens for examining Antarctic variability of past sea ice extent. Read more
Increased soil temperature and atmospheric N deposition have no effect on the N status and growth of a mature balsam fir forest Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-4627-2013 11 July 2013 Nitrogen (N) is a major growth-limiting factor in boreal forest ecosystems. Increases of temperature and atmospheric N deposition are expected to affect forest growth directly and indirectly by increasing N availability due to higher rates of N mineralization. We conducted experiments on a mature balsam fir stand in Canada to understand the potential impacts of these changes. Read more
Comparative assessment of predictions in ungauged basins – Part 2: Flood and low flow studies Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-2637-2013 9 July 2013 The objective of this paper is to assess the performance of methods that predict low flows and flood runoff in ungauged catchments. The aim is to learn from the similarities and differences between catchments in different places, and to interpret the differences in performance in terms of the underlying climate-landscape controls. Read more
Impact of change in climate and policy from 1988 to 2007 on environmental and microbial variables at the time series station Boknis Eck, Baltic Sea Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-4529-2013 4 July 2013 The temporal development of phytoplankton was monitored from 1988 to the end of 2007 at the time series station Boknis Eck in the western Baltic Sea. Read more
Detection of a plasmaspheric wind in the Earth’s magnetosphere by the Cluster spacecraft Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-31-1143-2013 2 July 2013 Analysis of ion measurements, acquired in the outer plasmasphere by the CIS experiment onboard the four Cluster spacecraft, provide now an experimental confirmation of the plasmaspheric wind. Read more
Seasonal measurements of total OH reactivity emission rates from Norway spruce in 2011 Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-4241-2013 26 June 2013 One way to investigate the chemical interplay between biosphere and atmosphere is through the measurement of total OH reactivity, the total loss rate of OH radicals. This study presents the first determination of total OH reactivity emission rates based on a branch cuvette enclosure system mounted on a Norway spruce throughout spring, summer and autumn 2011. Read more
Muon radiography for exploration of Mars geology Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-2-157-2013 17 June 2013 Preliminary estimates of muon production on Mars indicate that the near horizontal Martian muon flux, which could be used for muon radiography, is as strong or stronger than that on Earth, making the technique suitable for exploration of numerous high priority geological targets on Mars. Read more
Formation of aqueous-phase α-hydroxyhydroperoxides (α-HHP): potential atmospheric impacts Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-5857-2013 17 June 2013 The focus of this work is on quantifying the degree of the aqueous-phase formation of α-hydroxyhydroperoxides (α-HHPs) via reversible nucleophilic addition of H2O2 to aldehydes. Formation of this class of highly oxygenated organic hydroperoxides represents a poorly characterized aqueous-phase processing pathway that may lead to enhanced SOA formation and aerosol toxicity. HHP): potential atmospheric impacts">Read more
Iodine-129 concentration in seawater near Fukushima before and after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-3839-2013 14 June 2013 Anthropogenic radionuclides were released into the environment in large quantities by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (1FNPP) accident. To evaluate accident-derived 129I, the 129I concentrations in seawater before and after the accident were compared. Read more
Impacts of aircraft emissions on the air quality near the ground Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-5505-2013 6 June 2013 The continuing increase in demand for commercial aviation transport raises questions about the effects of resulting emissions on the environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate, using a global chemistry transport model, to what extent aviation emissions outside the boundary layer influence air quality in the boundary layer. Read more
Palaeoclimatological perspective on river basin hydrometeorology: case of the Mekong Basin Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-2069-2013 31 May 2013 Our main aim in this paper is to develop a river basin scale approach for assessing interannual hydrometeorological and discharge variability on long, palaeological, time scales. For the development of the basin-wide approach, we used the Mekong River basin as a case study area, although the approach is also intended to be applicable to other basins. Read more
Classifying organic materials by oxygen-to-carbon elemental ratio to predict the activation regime of Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-5309-2013 27 May 2013 The present results suggest that atmospheric particles dominated by hydrocarbon-like organic components do not activate (i.e., insoluble regime) whereas those dominated by oxygenated organic components activate (i.e., highly soluble regime) for typical atmospheric cloud life cycles. CCN)">Read more
Instant tsunami early warning based on real-time GPS – Tohoku 2011 case study Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-13-1285-2013 17 May 2013 Taking the 2011 Tohoku earthquake as an example, we demonstrate the ability of real-time GPS to provide qualified tsunami early warning within minutes. We show that in case of the Tohoku earthquake, it would be feasible to provide accurate tsunami warning as soon as 3 min after the beginning of the earthquake. GPS – Tohoku 2011 case study">Read more
Reducing cloud obscuration of MODIS snow cover area products by combining spatio-temporal techniques with a probability of snow approach Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1809-2013 13 May 2013 This study develops a rule-based, multistep method for removing clouds from MODIS snow cover area images. The methods used include combining images from more than one satellite, time interpolation, spatial interpolation, and estimation of the probability of snow occurrence based on topographic information. MODIS snow cover area products by combining spatio-temporal techniques with a probability of snow approach">Read more
Comparative assessment of predictions in ungauged basins – Part 1: Runoff-hydrograph studies Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1783-2013 7 May 2013 The objective of this assessment is to compare studies predicting runoff hydrographs in ungauged catchments. The aim is to learn from the differences and similarities between catchments in different locations, and to interpret the differences in performance in terms of the underlying climate and landscape controls. Read more
Elusive drought: uncertainty in observed trends and short- and long-term CMIP5 projections Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1765-2013 7 May 2013 Our results highlight the inherent difficulty of drought quantification and the considerable likelihood range of drought projections, but also indicate regions where drought is consistently found to increase. In other regions, wide likelihood range should not be equated with low drought risk, since potential scenarios include large drought increases in key agricultural and ecosystem regions. Read more
Surface pathway of radioactive plume of TEPCO Fukushima NPP1 released 134Cs and 137Cs Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-3067-2013 7 May 2013 134Cs and 137Cs were released to the North Pacific Ocean by two major likely pathways, direct discharge from the Fukushima NPP1 accident site and atmospheric deposition off Honshu Islands of Japan, east and northeast of the site. High density observations of 134Cs and 137Cs in the surface water were carried out by 17 cruises of cargo ships and several research vessel cruises from March 2011 till March 2012. TEPCO Fukushima NPP1 released 134Cs and 137Cs">Read more
MERIS-based ocean colour classification with the discrete Forel–Ule scale Ocean Science DOI 10.5194/os-9-477-2013 2 May 2013 In this paper we present a new algorithm that has the merit of using the full spectral information in the visible domain to characterize natural waters in a simple and globally valid way. This Forel–Ule MERIS (FUME) algorithm converts the normalized multiband reflectance information into a discrete set of numbers using uniform colourimetric functions. MERIS-based ocean colour classification with the discrete Forel–Ule scale">Read more
Possible effects on avionics induced by terrestrial gamma-ray flashes Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-13-1127-2013 30 April 2013 Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are impulsive (intrinsically sub-millisecond) events associated with lightning in powerful thunderstorms. We address in this article the issue of the possible susceptibility of typical aircraft electronics exposed to TGF particle, gamma ray and neutron irradiation. Read more
McMaster Mesonet soil moisture dataset: description and spatio-temporal variability analysis Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1589-2013 29 April 2013 This paper introduces and describes the hourly, high-resolution soil moisture dataset continuously recorded by the McMaster Mesonet located in the Hamilton-Halton Watershed in Southern Ontario, Canada. Read more
Bacteriohopanepolyols record stratification, nitrogen fixation and other biogeochemical perturbations in Holocene sediments of the central Baltic Sea Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-2725-2013 23 April 2013 We studied bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs), lipids of specific bacterial groups, in a sediment core from the central Baltic Sea (Gotland Deep) and found considerable differences between the distinct stages of the Baltic Sea’s history. Read more
Nitrous oxide emissions from European agriculture – an analysis of variability and drivers of emissions from field experiments Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-2671-2013 22 April 2013 Nitrous oxide emissions from a network of agricultural experiments in Europe were used to explore the relative importance of site and management controls of emissions. At each site, a selection of management interventions were compared within replicated experimental designs in plot-based experiments. Read more
Recent variability of the solar spectral irradiance and its impact on climate modelling Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-3945-2013 17 April 2013 We summarize here our current knowledge of solar spectral irradiance variability and its impact on Earth’s climate. Read more
Vertical distributions of plutonium isotopes in marine sediment cores off the Fukushima coast after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-2497-2013 15 April 2013 To obtain the vertical distribution of Pu isotopes in marine sediments and to better assess the possible contamination of Pu from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in the marine environment, we determined the activities of 239+240Pu and 241Pu as well as the atom ratios of 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu in sediment core samples collected in the western North Pacific off Fukushima from July 2011 to July 2012. Read more
Flood-initiating catchment conditions: a spatio-temporal analysis of large-scale soil moisture patterns in the Elbe River basin Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1401-2013 12 April 2013 While the large-scale meteorological conditions have been classified and successfully linked to floods, this is lacking for the large-scale pre-event catchment conditions. Therefore, we propose classifying soil moisture as a key variable of pre-event catchment conditions and investigating the link between soil moisture patterns and flood occurrence in the Elbe River basin. Read more
Oxidation of SO2 by stabilized Criegee intermediate (sCI) radicals as a crucial source for atmospheric sulfuric acid concentrations Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-3865-2013 12 April 2013 The effect of increased reaction rates of stabilized Criegee intermediates (sCIs) with SO2 to produce sulfuric acid is investigated using data from two different locations, SMEAR II, Hyytiälä, Finland, and Hohenpeissenberg, Germany. Read more
Inverse estimation of source parameters of oceanic radioactivity dispersion models associated with the Fukushima accident Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-2349-2013 9 April 2013 With combined use of the ocean–atmosphere simulation models and field observation data, we evaluate the parameters associated with the total caesium-137 amounts of the direct release into the ocean and atmospheric deposition over the western North Pacific caused by the accident of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that occurred in March 2011. Read more
Scenario and modelling uncertainty in global mean temperature change derived from emission-driven global climate models Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-4-95-2013 8 April 2013 We compare future changes in global mean temperature in response to different future scenarios which, for the first time, arise from emission-driven rather than concentration-driven perturbed parameter ensemble of a global climate model. Read more
Short- and long-term consequences of larval stage exposure to constantly and ephemerally elevated carbon dioxide for marine bivalve populations Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-2241-2013 5 April 2013 Experiments were performed to assess the short-term (days) and long-term (months) consequences of larval stage exposure to varying CO2 concentrations for calcifying bivalves. The findings suggested that high CO2 has a cascading negative physiological impact on bivalve larvae stemming in part from lower calcification rates. Read more
Ice-shelf buttressing and the stability of marine ice sheets The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-7-647-2013 4 April 2013 Ice-shelf buttressing and the stability of marine-type ice sheets are investigated numerically. Buttressing effects are analysed for a situation where a stable grounding line is located on a bed sloping upwards in the direction of flow. Read more
Interpreting muon radiographic data in a fault zone: possible application to geothermal reservoir detection and monitoring Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-2-145-2013 27 March 2013 In this report, the data taken by Tanaka et al. (2011) are reanalyzed to estimate the porosity distribution as a function of a distance from the fault gouge. The result shows a similar pattern of the porosity distribution as measured by borehole sampling at Nojima fault. Read more
The influence of climate change on flood risks in France – first estimates and uncertainty analysis Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-13-809-2013 27 March 2013 This paper proposes a methodology to project the possible evolution of river flood damages due to climate change, and applies it to mainland France. Read more
Mechanisms causing reduced Arctic sea ice loss in a coupled climate model The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-7-555-2013 26 March 2013 The fully coupled climate model HadGEM1 produces one of the most accurate simulations of the historical record of Arctic sea ice seen in the IPCC AR4 multi-model ensemble. In this study, we examine projections of sea ice decline out to 2030, produced by two ensembles of HadGEM1 with natural and anthropogenic forcings included. Read more
Meteorological observations on the northern Chilean coast during VOCALS-REx Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-3409-2013 25 March 2013 Surface coastal observations from two automatic weather stations at Paposo (~25° S) and radiosonde observations at Paposo and Iquique (~20° S) were carried out during VOCALS-REx (VAMOS Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study Regional Experiment). VOCALS-REx">Read more
Host model uncertainties in aerosol radiative forcing estimates: results from the AeroCom Prescribed intercomparison study Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-3245-2013 20 March 2013 In this AeroCom Prescribed intercomparison study we systematically isolate and quantify host model uncertainties on aerosol forcing experiments through prescription of identical aerosol radiative properties in twelve participating models. Read more
The CM SAF SSM/I-based total column water vapour climate data record: methods and evaluation against re-analyses and satellite Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-6-765-2013 19 March 2013 The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) aims at the provision and sound validation of well documented Climate Data Records (CDRs) in sustained and operational environments. In this study, a total column water vapour path climatology from CM SAF is presented and inter-compared to water vapour data records from various data sources. SAF SSM/I-based total column water vapour climate data record: methods and evaluation against re-analyses and satellite">Read more
Direct linking of Greenland and Antarctic ice cores at the Toba eruption (74 ka BP) Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-9-749-2013 19 March 2013 In this work we suggest a direct synchronization of Greenland and Antarctic ice cores at the Toba eruption based on matching of a pattern of bipolar volcanic spikes. Annual layer counting between volcanic spikes in both cores allows for a unique match. Read more
Local and global perspectives on the virtual water trade Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1205-2013 19 March 2013 Recent studies on fluxes of virtual water are showing how the global food and goods trade interconnects the water resources of different and distant countries, conditioning the local water balances. This paper presents and discusses the assessment of virtual water fluxes between a single country and its network of trading partners, delineating a country’s virtual water budget in space and time (years 1986–2010). Read more
A generalized Damköhler number for classifying material processing in hydrological systems Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-1133-2013 15 March 2013 Assessing the potential for transfer of pollutants and nutrients across catchments is of primary importance under changing land use and climate. This paper focuses on the dynamic balance between transport and material transformation, and defines material connectivity as the effective transfer of material between elements of the hydrological cycle. Read more
Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-7-469-2013 14 March 2013 To estimate the sea level rise originating from changes in surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet, we present 21st century climate projections obtained with the regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional), forced by output of three CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) general circulation models. MAR">Read more
The Geminid meteor shower during the ECOMA sounding rocket campaign: specular and head echo radar observations Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-31-473-2013 12 March 2013 The ECOMA (Existence of Charge state Of meteoric smoke particles in the Middle Atmosphere) sounding rocket campaign was conducted during the Geminid meteor shower in December 2010 in order to explore whether there is a change of the properties of meteoric smoke particles due to the stream. ECOMA sounding rocket campaign: specular and head echo radar observations">Read more
Quantifying the uncertainty in simulating global tropospheric composition due to the variability in global emission estimates of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-2857-2013 11 March 2013 In this study we examine the contribution of biogenic volatile organic compounds towards global tropospheric composition using the global 3-D chemistry transport model TM5 and the recently developed modified CB05 chemical mechanism. Read more
Application of soil quality indices to assess the status of agricultural soils irrigated with treated wastewaters Solid Earth DOI 10.5194/se-4-119-2013 7 March 2013 In this work two soil quality indices were used to evaluate the effects of irrigation with treated wastewater in soils. The indices were developed studying different soil properties in undisturbed soils in SE Spain, and the relationships between soil parameters were established using multiple linear regressions. Read more
A statistical analysis of insurance damage claims related to rainfall extremes Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-17-913-2013 4 March 2013 In this paper, a database of water-related insurance damage claims related to private properties and content was analysed. The aim was to investigate whether the probability of occurrence of rainfall-related damage was associated with the intensity of rainfall. Read more
Surface undulations of Antarctic ice streams tightly controlled by bedrock topography The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-7-407-2013 1 March 2013 In our work we use recently acquired airborne radar data for the Rutford Ice Stream and Evans Ice Stream, and we show that the surface response of fast-flowing ice is highly sensitive to bedrock irregularities with wavelengths of several ice thicknesses. Read more
A unified approach to infrared aerosol remote sensing and type specification Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-2195-2013 25 February 2013 Here we use high resolution infrared measurements for aerosol type differentiation, exploiting, in that part of spectrum, the dependency of their refractive index on wavelength. We review existing detection methods and present a unified detection method based on linear discrimination analysis. Read more
An unknown oxidative metabolism substantially contributes to soil CO2 emissions Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-10-1155-2013 21 February 2013 The respiratory release of CO2 from soils is a major determinant of the global carbon cycle. It is traditionally considered that this respiration is an intracellular metabolism consisting of complex biochemical reactions carried out by numerous enzymes and co-factors. Here we show that the endoenzymes released from dead organisms are stabilised in soils and have access to suitable substrates and co-factors to permit function. Read more
Ion motion in the current sheet with sheared magnetic field – Part 1: Quasi-adiabatic theory Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-20-163-2013 21 February 2013 We present a theory of trapped ion motion in the magnetotail current sheet with a constant dawn–dusk component of the magnetic field. Particle trajectories are described analytically using the quasi-adiabatic invariant corresponding to averaging of fast oscillations around the tangential component of the magnetic field. Read more
Radiative forcing of the direct aerosol effect from AeroCom Phase II simulations Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-13-1853-2013 19 February 2013 We report on the AeroCom Phase II direct aerosol effect (DAE) experiment where 16 detailed global aerosol models have been used to simulate the changes in the aerosol distribution over the industrial era. All 16 models have estimated the radiative forcing of the anthropogenic DAE, and have taken into account anthropogenic sulphate, black carbon and organic aerosols from fossil fuel, biofuel, and biomass burning emissions. Read more
The effect of hygroscopicity on eddy covariance estimates of sea-spray aerosol fluxes: a comparison of high-rate and bulk correction methods Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-6-323-2013 13 February 2013 Here we describe a method of correcting aerosol spectra for relative humidity induced size variations at the high frequency (10 Hz) measurement timescale, where counting statistics are poor and the spectral shape cannot be well represented by a simple power law. Read more