Climate evolutionary trends resulting from a thermo-pluviometric profile made between the Carpathian peaks and the Dniester Valley

The change in the parameters for the climatic elements and phenomena has become the main topic of many current researches. Given to the complexity and the local distinctions of the climatic factors, these changes are not homogenous and thus some regions get warmer, while others get colder, some become more arid, others more humid. The purpose of the current study is to identify the thermo-pluviometric changes recorded in the geographical area localized between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester Valley, based on the meteorological data registered between 1961 – 2010 at the Ceahlău-Toaca, Suceava, Iași (in Romania), Chișinău, and Tiraspol (in the Republic of Moldova meteorological stations. In order to determine the evolutionary trends, the Mann-Kendall test was applied combined with Sen`s slope. Therefore, based on the research performed, it was found that, during the 1961 – 2010 period, in the area localized between the Carpathians and the Dniester, there has been a general trend of climatic warming and a slight decrease of the rainfall quantity (especially for the Ceahlău mountain area). This result is confirmed and reinforced by other studies of climate conducted at European level, hence allowing these climate trends to be integrated easily into the general trend of regional warming

Climate evolutionary trends resulting from a thermo-pluviometric profile made between the Carpathian peaks and the Dniester Valley

The change in the parameters for the climatic elements and phenomena has become the main topic of many current researches. Given to the complexity and the local distinctions of the climatic factors, these changes are not homogenous and thus some regions get warmer, while others get colder, some become more arid, others more humid. The purpose of the current study is to identify the thermo-pluviometric changes recorded in the geographical area localized between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester Valley, based on the meteorological data registered between 1961 – 2010 at the Ceahlău-Toaca, Suceava, Iași (in Romania), Chișinău, and Tiraspol (in the Republic of Moldova meteorological stations. In order to determine the evolutionary trends, the Mann-Kendall test was applied combined with Sen`s slope. Therefore, based on the research performed, it was found that, during the 1961 – 2010 period, in the area localized between the Carpathians and the Dniester, there has been a general trend of climatic warming and a slight decrease of the rainfall quantity (especially for the Ceahlău mountain area). This result is confirmed and reinforced by other studies of climate conducted at European level, hence allowing these climate trends to be integrated easily into the general trend of regional warming

The conceptual-methodological evolution, from a geographical perspective, of the research of the atmospheric factors that affect the people in a community

In the current context, although modern man lives in an increasingly anthropized environment, aspiring to gain absolute control of his niche of development, we see that the influence of weather and climate factors on socio-dynamic homeostasis and population health is increasingly oscillating and more difficult to control/ predict. In this study we aim to supply the attention of environmental specialists with a selection of observations and papers belonging to researchers and specialists in fields that address the health of the population in relation to environmental factors, with a focus on weather and climate. Although scientifically accredited records and measurements show that there is great variability and marked changes in environmental factors in a relatively short time, and studies show that this variability and changes have a strong impact on the well-being of the population, such issues continue to be neglected at the level of institutions and decision-makers, who should focus on human health and safety

Trends in air temperature and atmospheric precipitation in Botoşani between 1961 and 2017

Air temperature and precipitations are major factors affecting the climate of a certain place. They define the basic matrix of the climate, and their evolution are of interest for the whole of both human and scientific community. The purpose of the present study is to highlight the sign and the magnitude of the trend in the air temperature at Botoşani city weather station for the whole period 1961-2017, and for both its major subdivisions (1961-1990 and 1991-2017, respectively) throughout different temporal subsets (from the level of an average year to the level of a month). Besides air temperature, we determined the evolutive trend in the amount of rainfall using a similar methodology (based mainly on the Mann- Kendall and t tests). Following our approach, we showcased the thermal and pluviometric reality at Botoşani, which is in a continuous change (as for the temperature values) or in a relatively dynamic balance (with respect to the amount of precipitations). More precisely, at Botoşani, against an annual average temperature of 9.4°C and an annual average of precipitations of 569.0 mm, after the year 1961 and mostly after 1990, the tendency was positive, which indicates an increase in air temperature. From a thermal point of view, considered annualy, seasonally and by warm and cold seasons (excepting autumn, with an insignificant increase), air temperature displayed a representative increase in value over the assessed period (1961-2017). On the whole, the annual temperature values increased by 0.32°C / decade, which presents a maximum statistical significance. Annual amount of rainfall increased over the period 1961 – 2017 by 4.46--5.35 mm/ decade, but this was not statistically significant

Spatial and temporal relevance of some bioclimatic indexes for the study of the bioclimate of Moldova (west of the Prut river)

This study originated in the necessity to identify usable bioclimatic indexes with good results in the overall bioclimatic characterization of Moldova west of the Prut River (hereinafter Moldova). For reasons related to the extent of the text, we have analyzed only a part of the bioclimatic indexes known in the literature (TEE - Equivalent Effective Temperature, THI - Thermo-hygrometric index, DI THOM - Thom Discomfort Index, RSI - Relative Strain Index, HI - Heat index, HUMIDEX - HUMIDEX index, SSI - Summer SIMMER Index, ISE - Summer SCHARLAU Index, ISH - Winter SCHARLAU index and Pr -  Wind-chill Index). Considering the large number of indexes (which vary in their structure and limitations of use) and a representative number of stations (14 stations), we have based our analytical approach on a standard time interval equal to one month. We have thus acquired a temporal resolution that enables us to identify the representativeness or non-representativeness of these indexes for Moldova and also their relevance / usefulness in depicting distinctive or detailed features of the Moldova bioclimat

Trends in air temperature and atmospheric precipitation in Botoşani between 1961 and 2017

Air temperature and precipitations are major factors affecting the climate of a certain place. They define the basic matrix of the climate, and their evolution are of interest for the whole of both human and scientific community. The purpose of the present study is to highlight the sign and the magnitude of the trend in the air temperature at Botoşani city weather station for the whole period 1961-2017, and for both its major subdivisions (1961-1990 and 1991-2017, respectively) throughout different temporal subsets (from the level of an average year to the level of a month). Besides air temperature, we determined the evolutive trend in the amount of rainfall using a similar methodology (based mainly on the Mann- Kendall and t tests).Following our approach, we showcased the thermal and pluviometric reality at Botoşani, which is in a continuous change (as for the temperature values) or in a relatively dynamic balance (with respect to the amount of precipitations). More precisely, at Botoşani, against an annual average temperature of 9.4°C and an annual average of precipitations of 569.0 mm, after the year 1961 and mostly after 1990, the tendency was positive, which indicates an increase in air temperature. From a thermal point of view, considered annualy, seasonally and by warm and cold seasons (excepting autumn, with an insignificant increase), air temperature displayed a representative increase in value over the assessed period (1961-2017). On the whole, the annual temperature values increased by 0.32°C / decade, which presents a maximum statistical significance. Annual amount of rainfall increased over the period 1961 – 2017 by 4.46--5.35 mm/ decade, but this was not statistically significant.</p

Balneoclimatology - where to?

The beneficial effects of natural healing factors (mineral or thermal waters, mud, topoclimate and microclimate) have been known ever since antiquity. In our country there are proofs of the presence and effects of mineral/ thermal waters ever since the Dacian period. They used mineral waters for therapeutic purposes or for their healing effects. The first doctor in Dacia Felix was Marcus Valerius Longinus. The use of mineral and thermal waters continued during the Roman period, but also after the departure of the Roman legions from Dacia. In the Middle Ages the use of natural healing factors was in profound decline, but the interest in balneology on our territory was reborn since the 18th century. The beginning of the scientific stage of balneology was marked by studies of mineral waters and coincides with the middle of the 19th century. Most scientific studies appreciated internationally were conducted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thus, the Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology was established in 1922. Its activities were carried out from 1922 to 1943, then from 1943 to 1946 it was called the Romanian Balneoclimaterical Society having Professor Sturza as the President. Under the patronage of this society was also printed the magazine of the society called 'Balneoclimaterical Magazine'. In 1924, Professor Teohari organised the Balneology Institute in Bucureşti. He was the founder of the Romanian modern balneology by introducing experimental research whose results were published in the Bulletin of the Balneology Institute. In 1949, the Institute of Balneology became the Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy. Unfortunately, at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, balneology started to be slightly in decline. However, in recent years there was revival of interest in balneology, materialized through a large number of published studies, restoring spas and inserting them into the spa circuit, increasing spa flows. As we know our balneary past, it is our duty to continue tradition and to use correctly the spa resources that are so numerous and so valuable in our country

Natural factors which attract tourists in the spa resorts of the contact sub-mountain area between Sucevița and Soveja-Vizantea

The attraction of some spa resorts does not depend only on their accessibility, on built facilities or on the existence of the representative anthropic objectives, but also on several natural factors, as the air physical and chemical features, the bio-climatic features, the presence of mineral springs, of salt mines or of some really valuable landscape elements. This study aims to underline the importance of the natural factors of tourist attraction, especially on the balneary-climatic resources of the spa resorts in the East base of the Eastern Carpathians between Sucevița and SovejaVizantea. The analysis of the role played by the natural factors of cure, relaxation, treatment and recovery highlights their importance as potential attraction elements for the recreation, sportive or health tourism. The results obtained reinforce the fact that the contact sub-Carpathian area along the alignment between Sucevița and Soveja-Vizantea disposes of a very valuable saving bioclimate, mineral springs and salt mines which amplify the attraction and value of the stations that appeared and developed over the years at Sucevița, Solca, Cacica, Gura Humorului, Oglinzi, Bălțătești, Piatra Neamț, Sărata, Târgu Ocna, Slănic Moldova, Soveja and Vizantea

Some of the bioclimatic peculiarities of thermal water resorts located in western Romania

The paper captures some of the spatial differences and similarities, as well as the temporal peculiarities of the bioclimate of the Băile Felix, Moneasa, Geoagiu and Băile Herculane thermal water resorts, which were monitored during field observations between November 2015 and July 2017, within the project PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2900. To outline the temporal succession of different bioclimatic conditions in the studied resorts, we were able to calculate the thermohygrometric index (THI) and the DI Arakawa Discomfort Index (DIA) based on temperature and humidity data measured with field iButton sensors. The collected field data allowed us to calculate only these two bioclimatic indices, since they can be obtained using only the air temperature and humidity measured values. In this study, we preferred to use at least two bioclimatic indices, which would allow for a comparison between their bioclimatic values and ratings, rather than to employ a single index without having benchmark data for assessing its values. The values and temporal variability of the indices showed contradictory results for the four thermal water resorts. The annual and diurnal intervals of bioclimatic comfort and discomfort indicated by the two indices are not identical in terms of timing and duration. Taking into account both these findings and the results obtained in a series of previous studies, we consider the THI values more reliable compared to DIA, which visibly contradicts the bioclimatic conditions of the four Romanian tourist resorts. Therefore, based on the data provided by THI only, we highlighted the favorability of these locations for general and health tourism and the high degree to which the bioclimate with sedative characteristics complements and supports the balneary cure and treatment provided in the specialized treatment centers of the respective resorts

The Suitability of Moldova Climate for Balneary - Climatic Tourism and Outdoor Activities - A Study Based on the Tourism Climate Index

This study addresses a current issue concerning spatial and temporal analysis of Moldova's climate resources and is intended for the use of people involved in various tourism and related activities. For researchers in the field, the study will be a source of information, allowing comparison of the results obtained for other locations, and for practitioners an indispensable working tool. The motivation for the present study resides in the sparseness and ambiguity of the analysis of climate resources for tourism included in the assessment of the natural tourism potential of Romania. We aim to improve this approach by constructing for Moldova a statistically relevant, quantitative analysis of what climate offers the tourists. To achieve the proposed objectives, we used TCI and a climate database sufficiently detailed to capture climate patterns up to ten-days time intervals. We showed that in Moldova the May-September interval is the most favorable for developing all forms of tourism. We then customized the analysis at the level of each tourism resort. Our study is among the first in this region to use such analysis and provides clear research results to those involved in tourism to improve their decision-making process. The results are very important in supporting tourism in Moldova and will contribute to raising the economic potential of the region