Multi-modal analysis of aerosol robotic network size distributions for remote sensing applications: dominant aerosol type cases

To date, size distributions obtained from the aerosol robotic network (AERONET) have been fit with bi-lognormals defined by six secondary microphysical parameters: the volume concentration, effective radius, and the variance of fine and coarse particle modes. However, since the total integrated volume concentration is easily calculated and can be used as an accurate constraint, the problem of fitting the size distribution can be reduced to that of deducing a single free parameter – the mode separation point. We present a method for determining the mode separation point for equivalent-volume bi-lognormal distributions based on optimization of the root mean squared error and the coefficient of determination. The extracted secondary parameters are compared with those provided by AERONET’s Level 2.0 Version 2 inversion algorithm for a set of benchmark dominant aerosol types, including desert dust, biomass burning aerosol, urban sulphate and sea salt. The total volume concentration constraint is then also lifted by performing multimodal fits to the size distribution using nested Gaussian mixture models, and a method is presented for automating the selection of the optimal number of modes using a stopping condition based on Fisher statistics and via the application of statistical hypothesis testing. It is found that the method for optimizing the location of the mode separation point is independent of the shape of the aerosol volume size distribution (AVSD), does not require the existence of a local minimum in the size interval 0.439 µm ≤ r ≤ 0.992 µm, and shows some potential for optimizing the bi-lognormal fitting procedure used by AERONET particularly in the case of desert dust aerosol. The AVSD of impure marine aerosol is found to require three modes. In this particular case, bi-lognormals fail to recover key features of the AVSD. Fitting the AVSD more generally with multi-modal models allows automatic detection of a statistically significant number of aerosol modes, is applicable to a very diverse range of aerosol types, and gives access to the secondary microphysical parameters of additional modes currently not available from bi-lognormal fitting methods

Radon measurements along active faults in the Langadas Basin, northern Greece

A network of three radon stations has been established in the Langadas Basin, northern Greece for radon monitoring by various techniques in earthquake prediction studies. Specially made devices with plastic tubes including Alpha Tracketch Detectors (ATD) were installed for registering alpha particles from radon and radon decay products exhaled from the ground, every 2 weeks, by using LR-115, type II, non-strippable Kodak films, starting from December 1996. Simultaneous measurements started using Lucas cells alpha spectrometer for instantaneous radon measurements in soil gas, before and after setting ATDs at the radon stations. Continuous monitoring of radon gas exhaling from the ground started from the middle of August 1999 by using silicon diode detectors, which simultaneously register meteorological parameters, such as rainfall, temperature and barometric pressure. The obtained data were studied together with the data of seismic events, such as the magnitude, <i>M_L</i>, of earthquakes that occurred at the Langadas Basin during the period of measurements, as registered by the Laboratory of Geophysics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in order to find out any association between them

Deep stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT) over SE Europe: a complex case study captured by enhanced ⁷Be concentrations at the surface of a low topography region

International audienceIn this study we present a complex case study of a Stratosphere-to-Troposphere Transport (STT) event down to the surface of a low topography region in Northern Greece, during the second fortnight of March 2000. During this event our surface station at Livadi (23°15 E/40°32 N, 850 m a.s.l.), was influenced by very different synoptic systems developing over Eastern Europe, N. America and the N. Atlantic, the last one evolving to a cut-off low over France/Spain. This is the first study, to our knowledge, that presents a down to the surface STT event in the eastern Mediterranean. The intrusion is primarily captured with the use of the cosmogenic radionuclide 7Be, which increased to 9.07 mBq m-3 and 9.37 mBq m-3 on 30 and 31 March 2000, respectively. A 7Be concentration of around 8 mBq m-3 recorded during parallel measurements at Thessaloniki (20 m a.s.l.) gives strong evidence that air of stratospheric origins has even gone down to sea level. A rapid increase of 10?15 ppb is also observed in the surface ozone concentration on 31 March 2000. The relative increase of both tracers is consistent with a volume fraction of stratospheric air at the surface of about 5%, but the substantial increase in 7Be flags more clearly the event. Trajectory analyses, in conjunction with the evolution of the synoptic situation described by potential vorticity maps, are used for the exact identification of the different intrusions and the attribution of each intruding parcel of stratospheric air to a certain filament of high PV. Finally, the persistency of the stratospheric layers in the troposphere is another interesting point of this case study. The vast majority of the trajectories spent 7?10 days in the troposphere before reaching the surface at Livadi station

Utjecaj NaCl na fermentaciju zrelih zelenih rajčica cv. Ailsa Braig u rasolu

The effect of osmotic strength on gene expression and activity of the major enzymes of fermentative metabolism of mature green tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Ailsa Craig) has been studied by exposing fruit to brine containing 0 (water), 5 and 10 % NaCl. The fruits were surface sterilized prior to treatment to prevent the growth of microbes naturally present on the skin of the fruit. Changes in fruit expression of fermentation genes and the activity of the respective enzymes as well as physicochemical quality characteristics (soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pH and firmness) were studied in both fruit and brine for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days. Discrepancies in responses that resulted from the different salt concentrations were obtained at molecular and quality levels. The complex kinetics of solutes between the fruit and the surrounding solution due to osmotic potential has led to different responses of the tissue to fermentation. Tomato fruit showed cracking soon after storage in water; water-stored fruit had higher titratable acidity, lower soluble solid content, and higher induction of anaerobic metabolism as indicated by the expression or the activity of the fermentation enzymes compared to fruit stored in brine with 5 or 10 % NaCl. No cracking was observed in fruit stored in 5 (isotonic) or 10 % NaCl (hypertonic) brine, though in the latter, signs of dehydration were observed. The presence of salt in brine reduced the intensity of fermentative metabolism as indicated by the lower gene expression and enzyme activity. However, fruit stored in brine with 5 % NaCl survived longer than with 0 or 10 % NaCl. The presence of 5 % NaCl in brine caused mild changes of both the fermentative metabolism and the physicochemical characteristics and prevented fruit deterioration during storage.U radu je ispitan utjecaj osmoze na ekspresiju gena i aktivnost glavnih enzima koji sudjeluju u fermentaciji zrelih zelenih rajčica (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Ailsa Craig), i to uranjanjem plodova u vodu i rasol što sadržava 5 ili 10 % NaCl. Površina je plodova prije obrade sterilizirana da bi se spriječio rast mikroorganizama na pokožici ploda. Analizirani su plodovi rajčice i rasol tijekom 0,5; 1; 1,5; 2; 3; 7 i 14 dana skladištenja, te ispitani ovi parametri: promjena ekspresije gena i aktivnost enzima koji sudjeluju u fermentaciji, te fizikalno-kemijska svojstva plodova (udio topljivih tvari, titracijska kiselost, pH-vrijednost i čvrstoća). Utvrđene su razlike u dobivenim rezultatima, i to na molekularnoj razini te u kakvoći plodova. Zaključeno je da utjecaj fermentacije na tkivo ploda rajčice ovisi o složenoj kinetici prelaska otopljenih tvari iz plodova u otopinu zbog razlike osmotskih tlakova. Skladištenje u vodi uzrokovalo je pucanje plodova koji su imali veću titracijsku kiselost i manji udio topljivih tvari. Ekspresija gena i aktivnost enzima pokazali su da je došlo do povećanja anaerobnog metabolizma u tim plodovima, u usporedbi s onima skladištenim u rasolu. Skladištenje plodova u izotoničnoj otopini (5 % soli) nije uzrokovalo njihovo pucanje, a u hipertoničnoj (10 % soli) otopini nije došlo do pucanja već do dehidracije plodova. Dodatkom soli smanjen je intenzitet fermentacije, što je dovelo do manje ekspresije gena i aktivnosti enzima. Trajnost plodova skladištenih u izotoničnoj otopini bila je veća od onih skladištenih u vodi ili hipertoničnoj otopini. Manja koncentracija soli u otopini nije bitno utjecala na metabolizam fermentacije te kakvoću plodova, a spriječila je njihovo propadanje tijekom skladištenja

The impact of temperature changes on summer time ozone and its precursors in the Eastern Mediterranean

Changes in temperature due to variability in meteorology and climate change are expected to significantly impact atmospheric composition. The Mediterranean is a climate sensitive region and includes megacities like Istanbul and large urban agglomerations such as Athens. The effect of temperature changes on gaseous air pollutant levels and the atmospheric processes that are controlling them in the Eastern Mediterranean are here investigated. The WRF/CMAQ mesoscale modeling system is used, coupled with the MEGAN model for the processing of biogenic volatile organic compound emissions. A set of temperature perturbations (spanning from 1 to 5 K) is applied on a base case simulation corresponding to July 2004. The results indicate that the Eastern Mediterranean basin acts as a reservoir of pollutants and their precursor emissions from large urban agglomerations. During summer, chemistry is a major sink at these urban areas near the surface, and a minor contributor at downwind areas. On average, the atmospheric processes are more effective within the first 1000 m above ground. Temperature increases lead to increases in biogenic emissions by 9&amp;plusmn;3% K&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;. Ozone mixing ratios increase almost linearly with the increases in ambient temperatures by 1&amp;plusmn;0.1 ppb O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; K&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt; for all studied urban and receptor stations except for Istanbul, where a 0.4&amp;plusmn;0.1 ppb O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; K&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt; increase is calculated, which is about half of the domain-averaged increase of 0.9&amp;plusmn;0.1 ppb O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; K&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;. The computed changes in atmospheric processes are also linearly related with temperature changes

Aerosol physical and optical properties in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, Crete, from Aerosol Robotic Network data

In this study, we investigate the aerosol optical properties, namely aerosol extinction optical thickness (AOT), Angström parameter and size distribution over the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, using spectral measurements from the recently established FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas) AERONET station in Crete, for the two-year period 2003&ndash;2004. The location of the FORTH-AERONET station offers a unique opportunity to monitor aerosols from different sources. Maximum values of AOT are found primarily in spring, which together with small values of the Angström parameter indicate dust transported from African deserts, whereas the minimum values of AOT occur in winter. In autumn, large AOT values observed at near-infrared wavelengths arise also from dust transport. In summer, large AOT values at ultraviolet (340 nm) and visible wavelengths (500 nm), together with large values of the Angström parameter, are associated with transport of fine aerosols of urban/industrial and biomass burning origin. The Angström parameter values vary on a daily basis within the range 0.05&ndash;2.20, and on a monthly basis within the range 0.68&ndash;1.9. This behaviour, together with broad frequency distributions and back-trajectory analyses, indicates a great variety of aerosol types over the study region including dust, urban-industrial and biomass-burning pollution, and maritime, as well as mixed aerosol types. Large temporal variability is observed in AOT, Angström parameter, aerosol content and size. The fine and coarse aerosol modes persist throughout the year, with the coarse mode dominant except in summer. The highest values of AOT are related primarily to southeasterly winds, associated with coarse aerosols, and to a less extent to northwesterly winds associated with fine aerosols. The results of this study show that the FORTH AERONET station in Crete is well suited for studying the transport and mixing of different types of aerosols from a variety of sources, especially those associated with major dust events from the Sahara

Dust impact on surface solar irradiance assessed with model simulations, satellite observations and ground-based measurements

This study assesses the impact of dust on surface solar radiation focussing on an extreme dust event. For this purpose, we exploited the synergy of AERONET measurements and passive and active satellite remote sensing (MODIS and CALIPSO) observations, in conjunction with radiative transfer model (RTM) and chemical transport model (CTM) simulations and the 1-day forecasts from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The area of interest is the eastern Mediterranean where anomalously high aerosol loads were recorded between 30 January and 3 February 2015. The intensity of the event was extremely high, with aerosol optical depth (AOD) reaching 3.5, and optical/microphysical properties suggesting aged dust. RTM and CTM simulations were able to quantify the extent of dust impact on surface irradiances and reveal substantial reduction in solar energy exploitation capacity of PV and CSP installations under this high aerosol load. We found that such an extreme dust event can result in Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) attenuation by as much as 40–50 % and a much stronger Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) decrease (80–90 %), while spectrally this attenuation is distributed to 37 % in the UV region, 33 % in the visible and around 30 % in the infrared. CAMS forecasts provided a reliable available energy assessment (accuracy within 10 % of that obtained from MODIS). Spatially, the dust plume resulted in a zonally averaged reduction of GHI and DNI of the order of 150 W/m^2 in southern Greece, and a mean increase of 20 W/m^2 in the northern Greece as a result of lower AOD values combined with local atmospheric processes. This analysis of a real-world scenario contributes to the understanding and quantification of the impact range of high aerosol loads on solar energy and the potential for forecasting power generation failures at sunshine-privileged locations where solar power plants exist, are under construction or are being planned

Forecast, observation and modelling of a deep stratospheric intrusion event over Europe

A wide range of measurements was carried out in central and southeastern Europe within the framework of the EU-project STACCATO (Influence of Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange in a Changing Climate on Atmospheric Transport and Oxidation Capacity) with the principle goal to create a comprehensive data set on stratospheric air intrusions into the troposphere along a rather frequently observed pathway over central Europe from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The measurements were based on predictions by suitable quasi-operational trajectory calculations using ECMWF forecast data. A predicted deep Stratosphere to Troposphere Transport (STT) event, encountered during the STACCATO period on 20-21 June 2001, could be followed by the measurements network almost from its inception. Observations provide evidence that the intrusion affected large parts of central and southeastern Europe. Especially, the ozone lidar observations on 20-21 June 2001 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany captured the evolution of two marked tongues of high ozone with the first one reaching almost a height of 2 km, thus providing an excellent data set for model intercomparisons and validation. In addition, for the first time to our knowledge concurrent measurements of the cosmogenic radionuclides &lt;sup&gt;10&lt;/sup&gt;Be and &lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;Be and their ratio &lt;sup&gt;10&lt;/sup&gt;Be/&lt;sup&gt;7&lt;/sup&gt;Be are presented together as stratospheric tracers in a case study of a stratospheric intrusion. The ozone tracer columns calculated with the FLEXPART model were found to be in good agreement with water vapour satellite images, capturing the evolution of the observed dry streamers of stratospheric origin. Furthermore, the time-height cross section of ozone tracer simulated with FLEXPART over Garmisch-Partenkirchen captures with many details the evolution of the two observed high-ozone filaments measured with the IFU lidar, thus demonstrating the considerable progress in model simulations. Finally, the modelled ozone (operationally available since October 1999) from the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) atmospheric model is shown to be in very good agreement with the observations during this case study, which provides the first successful validation of a chemical tracer that is used operationally in a weather forecast model. This suggests that coupling chemistry and weather forecast models may significantly improve both weather and chemical forecasts in the future

Size-segregated mass distributions of aerosols over Eastern Mediterranean: seasonal variability and comparison with AERONET columnar size-distributions

International audienceThis work provides long-term (2004?2006) size segregated measurements of aerosol mass at a remote coastal station in the southern Europe, with the use of size-selective samplings (SDI impactor). Seven distinct modes were identified in the range 0?10 µm and the dominant were the "Accumulation 1" (0.25?0.55 µm) and the "Coarse 2" (3?7 µm) modes. The seasonal characteristics of each mode were thoroughly studied and different sources for submicron and supermicron particles were identified, the first being related to local/regional and transported pollution with maximum in summer and the latter to dust from deserted areas in Northern Africa maximizing in spring. On average, PM2.5 and PM1 accounted for 60% and 40% of PM10 mass, respectively.The representativity of the ground-based measurements for the total column was also investigated by comparing the measured aerosol mass distributions with the AERONET volume size distribution data. Similar seasonal patterns were revealed and AERONET was found adequate for the estimation of background levels of both fine and coarse particles near surface, with certain limitations in the case of pollution or dust abrupt episodes due to its low temporal coverage

INTEGRATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS BASED NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL MICROBATTERY ARCHITECTURES

The realization of next-generation portable electronics, medical implants and miniaturized, autonomous microsystems is directly linked with the development of compact and efficient power sources and energy storage devices with high energy and power density. As the components of these devices are continuously scaled down in size, there is a growing demand for decreasing the size of their power supply as well, while maintaining performance comparable to larger assemblies. This dissertation presents a novel approach for the development of microbattery electrodes that is based on integrating both micro and nano structured components for the formation of hierarchical electrodes. These electrodes combine both high energy density (enabled by the high surface area and mass loading) with high power density (due to the small thickness of the active battery materials). The key building block technologies in this work are the bottom-up self-assembly and metallization of a biological template and the top-down microfabrication processes enabled by Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. The biotemplate used is the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a rod-like particle that can be genetically modified to express functional groups with enhanced metal binding properties. In this project, this feature is combined with standard microfabrication techniques for the synthesis of nanostructured energy-related materials as well as their hierarchical patterning in device architectures. Specifically, synthesis of anode (TiO2) and cathode (V2O5) materials for Li-ion batteries in a core/shell configuration is presented, where the TMV biomineralization is combined with atomic layer deposition of the active material. These nanostructured electrodes demonstrate high energy storage capacities, high rate capabilities and superior performance to electrodes with planar geometries. In addition, a toolbox of biofabrication processes for the defined patterning of virus-templated structures has been developed. Finally, the nanocomposite electrodes are integrated with three-dimensional micropillars to form hierarchical electrodes that maintain the high rate performance capabilities of nanomaterials while exhibiting an increase in energy density compared to nanostructures alone. This is in accordance with the increase in surface area added by the microstructures. Investigation of capacity scaling for varying active material thickness reveals underlying limitations in nanostructured electrodes and highlights the importance of this method in controlling both energy and power density with structural hierarchy. These results present a paradigm-shifting technology for the fabrication of next-generation microbatteries for MEMS and microsystems applications