Searching for effects caused by thunderstorms in midlatitude sporadic E layers

Possible thunderstorm - sporadic E (Es) layer coupling effects are investigated during two measurement periods, one in 2013 and one in 2014. The analysis was based on ionospheric observations obtained from a Digisonde at Pruhonice, the Czech Republic, an ionosonde at Nagycenk, Hungary, and a 3.59 MHz five-point continuous HF Doppler system located in the western part of the Czech Republic. The latter is capable of detecting ionospheric wave-like variations caused by neutral atmospheric waves generated by thunderstorms. The present study searches for possible impacts on Es layers caused by the presence of two active thunderstorms: one passing across the Czech Republic on June 20, 2013 (19:00 - 01:00 LT), and one through Hungary on July 30, 2014 (11:00 - 01:00 LT). During these two time periods, presence and parameters of Es layer were inferred from ionograms, recorded every minute at Pruhonice and every two minutes at Nagycenk, whereas concurrent lightning activity was monitored by the LINET detection network. In addition, transient luminous events (TLEs) were also observed during both nights from Sopron, Hungary and from Nydek, the Czech Republic. A noticeable fact was the reduction and disappearance of the ongoing Es layer activity during part of the time in both of the traversing thunderstorms. The analysis indicated that the critical frequency foEs dropped below ionosonde detection levels in both cases, possibly because of thunderstorm activity effects. This option, however, needs more case studies in order to be further substantiated

Glossary on atmospheric electricity and its effects on biology

There is an increasing interest to study the interactions between atmospheric electrical parameters and living organisms at multiple scales. So far, relatively few studies have been published that focus on possible biological effects of atmospheric electric and magnetic fields. To foster future work in this area of multidisciplinary research, here we present a glossary of relevant terms. Its main purpose is to facilitate the process of learning and communication among the different scientific disciplines working on this topic. While some definitions come from existing sources, other concepts have been re-defined to better reflect the existing and emerging scientific needs of this multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary area of research

Glossary on atmospheric electricity and its effects on biology

[EN] There is an increasing interest to study the interactions between atmospheric electrical parameters and living organisms at multiple scales. So far, relatively few studies have been published that focus on possible biological effects of atmospheric electric and magnetic fields. To foster future work in this area of multidisciplinary research, here we present a glossary of relevant terms. Its main purpose is to facilitate the process of learning and communication among the different scientific disciplines working on this topic. While some definitions come from existing sources, other concepts have been re-defined to better reflect the existing and emerging scientific needs of this multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary area of research.This paper is based upon work from the COST Action "Atmospheric Electricity Network: coupling with the Earth System, climate and biological systems (ELECTRONET)," supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). AO received funding from Poland Ministry of Science and Higher Education for statutory research of the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (Grant No 3841/E-41/S/2019).Fdez-Arroyabe, P.; Kourtidis, K.; Haldoupis, C.; Savoska, S.; Matthews, J.; Mir, LM.; Kassomenos, P.... (2021). Glossary on atmospheric electricity and its effects on biology. International Journal of Biometeorology. 65(1):5-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-02013-9S529651Adrovic F (2012) Editor, Gamma radiation, IntechOpen.Alberts B (2014). Molecular biology of the cell (6th ed.). New York. ISBN 9780815344322Ambus Per, (2015) Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern Sophie, in Biology of the Nitrogen Cycle, 2007.G.P. Robertson1, P.M. Groffman2, in Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry (4th Edition)Apollonio F, Liberti M, Paffi A, Merla C, Marracino P, Denzi A, Marino C, d’Inzeo G (2013) Feasibility for microwaves energy to affect biological systems via nonthermal mechanisms: a systematic approach. 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Observations of the relationship between sprite morphology and in-cloud lightning processes

[1] During a thunderstorm on 23 July 2003, 15 sprites were captured by a LLTV camera mounted at the observatory on Pic du Midi in the French Pyrénées. Simultaneous observations of cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning activity from two independent lightning detection systems and a broadband ELF/VLF receiver allow a detailed study of the relationship between electrical activity in a thunderstorm and the sprites generated in the mesosphere above. Results suggest that positive CG and IC lightning differ for the two types of sprites most frequently observed, the carrot- and column-shaped sprites. Column sprites occur after a short delay (<30 ms) from the causative +CG and are associated with little VHF activity, suggesting no direct IC action on the charge transfer process. On the other hand, carrot sprites are delayed up to about 200 ms relative to their causative +CG stroke and are accompanied by a burst of VHF activity starting 25–75 ms before the CG stroke. While column sprites associate with short-lasting (less than 30 ms) ELF/VLF sferics, carrot sprites associate with bursts of sferics initiating at the time of the causative +CG discharge and persisting for 50 to 250 ms, indicating extensive in-cloud activity. One carrot event was found to be preceded by vigorous IC activity and a strong, long-lived cluster of ELF/VLF sferics but lacking a +CG. The observations of ELF/VLF sferic clusters associated with lightning and sprites form the basis for a discussion of the reliability of lightning detection systems based on VHF interferometry.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ionogram height–time–intensity observations of descending sporadic E layers at mid-latitude

A new methodology of ionosonde height–time–intensity (HTI) analysis is introduced which allows the investigation of sporadic E layer (Es) vertical motion and variability. This technique, which is useful in measuring descent rates and tidal periodicities of Es, is applied on ionogram recordings made during a summer period from solstice to equinox on the island of Milos (36.71N; 24.51E). On the average, the ionogram HTI analysis revealed a pronounced semidiurnal periodicity in layer descent and occurrence. It is characterized by a daytime layer starting at 120km near 06 h local time (LT) and moving downward to altitudes below 100km by about 18 h LT when a nighttime layer appears above at_125 km. The latter moves also downward but at higher descent rates (1.6–2.2 km/h) than the daytime layer (0.8–1.5 km/h). The nighttime Es is weaker in terms of critical sporadic E frequencies (foEs), has a shorter duration, and tends to occur less during times close to solstice. Here, a diurnal periodicity in Es becomes dominant. The HTI plots often show the daytime and nighttime Es connecting with weak traces in the upper E region which occur with a semidiurnal, and at times terdiurnal, periodicity. These, which are identified as upper E region descending intermediate layers (DIL), play an important role in initiating and reinforcing the sporadic E layers below 120–125 km. The observations are interpreted by considering the downward propagation of wind shear convergent nodes that associate with the S2,3 semidiurnal tide in the upper E region and the S1,1 diurnal tide in the lower E region

HF Radar observations of long period quasi-periodic backscatter in the sporadic E region

EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly; Nice (France); avril 200

Long duration meteor echoes characterized by Doppler spectrum bifurcation

International audienceWe report on a new category of long lasting meteor echoes observed occasionally with HF and VHF radars. These meteoric returns, which have lifetimes from several seconds to a few minutes, are characterized by a distinct Doppler spectral signature showing a pronounced Doppler bifurcation which includes narrow bands of discrete Doppler velocities, often of opposite polarity. The spectral properties imply that Bragg scattering cannot be the generation mechanism, therefore these echoes do not associate with the long living meteor-induced backscatter from the unstable lower E region. A reasonable interpretation needs to explain both the Doppler spectrum bifurcation and the long echo duration. As such, we propose the idea of a structured vertical wind shear in the lower E region which traps different fragments of a meteor trail plasma in the same way that sporadic E layers form. These trail parts inside the shear-related wind profile may act as relatively long-lasting meteoric reflectors moving with different Doppler velocities, also of opposite polarity