Evaluation of long-term changes in precipitation over Bolivia based on observations and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models

Using observations and model simulations from the 5th and 6th phases of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5 and CMIP6, respectively), this study evaluated changes in monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation over Bolivia from 1950 to 2019. Results demonstrate that observed precipitation is characterized by strong interannual and decadal variability. However, long-term precipitation trends were not identified on the annual scale. Similarly, changes in seasonal precipitation were almost nonsignificant (p > .05) for the study period. Spatially, albeit with its complex orography, no substantial regional variations in observed precipitation trends can be identified across Bolivia. In contrast, long-term precipitation trends, based on CMIP5 and CMIP6 models, suggest a dominance of negative trends, mainly during austral winter (JJA) (−10%) and spring (SON) (−15%). These negative trends were more pronounced in the lowlands of Bolivia (−20%). Overall, these contradictory results highlight the need for validating precipitation trend outputs from model simulations, especially in areas of complex topography like Bolivia.This work was sup-ported by the research projects CGL2017-82216-R,PCI2019-103631, and PID2019-108589RA-I00, financedby the Spanish Ministry of Science and FEDER, theCROSSDRO project financed by the AXIS (Assessment ofCross(X)-sectorial climate impacts and pathways for Sus-tainable transformation), the JPI-Climate co-funded callof the European Commission, and the LINCGLOBAL-CSIC project (INCGLO0023, RED-CLIMA)

Assessment of vapor pressure deficit variability and trends in Spain and possible connections with soil moisture

The Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is one of the most relevant surface meteorological variables; with important implications in ecology, hydrology, and atmosphere. By understanding the processes involved in the variability and trend of the VPD, it is possible to assess the possible impacts and implications related to both physical and human environments, like plant function, water use efficiency, net ecosystem production, atmospheric CO2 growth rate, etc. This study analysed recent temporal variability and trends in VPD in Spain between 1980 and 2020 using a recently developed high-quality dataset. Also, the connection between VPD and soil moisture and other key climate variables (e.g. air temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) was assessed on different time scales varying from weekly to annual. The objective was to determine if changes in land-atmosphere feedbacks connected with soil moisture and evapotranspiration anomalies have been relevant to assess the interannual variability and trends in VPD. Results demonstrate that VPD exhibited a clear seasonality and dominant positive trends on both the seasonal (mainly spring and summer) and annual scales. Rather, trends were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05) during winter and autumn. Spatially, VPD positive trends were more pronounced in southern and eastern of Spain. Also, results suggest that recent trends of VPD shows low contribution of variables that drive land-atmosphere feedbacks (e.g. evapotranspiration, and soil moisture) in comparison to the role of global warming processes. Notably, the variability of VPD seems to be less coupled with soil moisture variability during summertime, while it is better interrelated during winter, indicating that VPD variability would be mostly related to climate variability mechanisms that control temperature and relative humidity than to land-atmosohere feedbacks. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of assessing driving forces and physical mechanisms that control VPD variability using high-quality climate datasets, especially, in semiarid and sub-humid regions of the world

Long-term behaviour of Nb and Cr nitrides nanostructured coatings under steam at 650°C. Mechanistic considerations.

There is an increasing demand for steam power plants to operate in super-critical conditions i.e. temperatures in excess of 600°C. Under these conditions creep resistant ferritic steels oxidize and therefore require coatings in order to last. Physical vapor deposition and especially High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering deposited CrN/NbN nano-scale multilayer coatings with a 2.45 Cr/Nb ratio showed excellent performance when exposed to 650 °C in pure steam environment up to 2,000 h. However the role of Nb in offering protection is unclear. In order to study the long term behaviour of this type of coatings as well as to determine the influence of Nb on their oxidation resistance, a CrN/NbN coating with a 1.16 Cr/Nb ratio was studied for 12,650 h. The coating is hard, well adhered and resistant to environmental corrosion, which are properties required in particular for coatings to be applied on turbine blades. The coating also protects P92 from steam oxidation at 650º C, however coating growth defects influence significantly the oxidation resistance. The long-time exposure allowed to study the protection/ degradation mechanisms provided by this type of ceramic coatings. It was found that oxide nodules grow due to the presence of coating defect originated from substrate defects. Moreover, the higher Nb CrN/NbN coating slowly oxidizes, consuming the coating to a large extent after 12,650 h. As a result, protective oxides containing Cr and Nb are developed, remaining well attached to the substrate for at least the test duration, and preventing further substrate oxidation by steam. Interestingly, thin voids present in the as deposited coating self-heal by forming Cr rich oxides, which block steam to reach the substrate

Influence of the interannual variability of meteorological drought on the cross-interactions of ecological and hydrological drought in the central Spanish Pyrenees

This paper analyzes the influence of the interannual variability of climatic drought on ecological and hydrological droughts for a basin in the central Spanish Pyrenees using variables derived from observations and hydro-ecological simulation in order to determine the possible connection between meteorological, ecological and hydrological drought considering a cascading approach and encompassing different variables that give insights into water availability in the basin (e.g.,soil moisture, streamflow, reservoir storages and releases). Using different climatic, ecological and hydrological standardized drought indices, we show the greater role of meteorological droughts in hydrological systems than in ecological systems, and the small influence of vegetation activity and growth in explaining the interannual variability of water resources in the basin. By contrast, hydrological droughts are strongly affected by precipitation variability with relationships characterized by seasonal differences and the role of different time-scales in the standardized drought metrics

Drought risk in Moldova under global warming and possible crop adaptation strategies

This study analyzes the relationship between drought processes and crop yields in Moldova, together with the effects of possible future climate change on crops. The severity of drought is analyzed over time in Moldova using the Standard Precipitation Index, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, and their relationship with crop yields. In addition, rainfall variability and its relationship with crop yields are examined using spectral analysis and squared wavelet coherence. Observed station data (1950–2020 and 1850–2020), ERA5 reanalysis data (1950–2020), and climate model simulations (period 1970–2100) are used. Crop yield data (maize, sunflower, grape), data from experimental plots (wheat), and the Enhanced Vegetation Index from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellites were also used. Results show that although the severity of meteorological droughts has decreased in the last 170 years, the impact of precipitation deficits on different crop yields has increased, concurrent with a sharp increase in temperature, which negatively affected crop yields. Annual crops are now more vulnerable to natural rainfall variability and, in years characterized by rainfall deficits, the possibility of reductions in crop yield increases due to sharp increases in temperature. Projections reveal a pessimistic outlook in the absence of adaptation, highlighting the urgency of developing new agricultural management strategies

Multifunction high temperature coating system based on aluminium particle technology

Spherical Al particles sized in the range of 2 to 5 pin were deposited with an organic binder by brushing on the austenitic steel X6 CrNi 18-10 (Alloy 304H). The coated samples, were annealed in air at 400 degrees C for I h in order to expel the binder. For studying the oxidation behaviour in air, isothermal experiments were performed at 700 degrees C and 900 degrees C with oxidation times of 5 h, 100 h and 1000 h. The oxide formation was studied in situ by high temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) up to 100 h. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was applied to investigate the surface and the cross-section of the particle coating. During oxidation, the stable alpha-Al2O3 was identified in situ by HT-XRD on all studied samples at both temperatures. No meta-stable alumina phases were found. In the initial state, 2 h at 900 degrees C, the Al particles are completely oxidised to hollow alumina spheres, controlled predominantly by the reaction due to the small particle size and relatively high surface portion. Simultaneously, the Al-rich diffusion layer is formed in the substrate. On further exposure, a thin protective alumina scale continues growing on the top of the diffusion layer. After exposure to both 700 degrees C and 900 degrees C, a coating structure was encountered, which consists of a quasi-foam top coat from conjoint hollow spherical alumina particles and an Al-rich diffusion layer below. The quasi-foam top coat has the potential to effectuate as thermal barrier by gas phase insulation, while the diffusion layer below serves as protective coating against oxidation. The approach by particle size processing opens a potential for obtaining a complete thermal barrier coating system in one manufacturing step. The coating properties can be adjusted by parameters like selection of source metal alloy, particle size, substrate, binder and heat treatment

Oxidation of micro-sized spherical aluminium particles

Micro-sized spherical Al particles have recently attracted interest for the development of a new concept for coatings based on their capability to form hollow alumina spheres and aluminized diffusion zones in the substrate. For understanding better their oxidation behaviour, spherical m- Al particles with different sizes were oxidized in air on heating up to 1300°C and under isothermal conditions at 800°C and 850°C. The oxide formation was studied in situ by high temperature X-ray diffraction and the oxidised particles were analysed by scanning electron microscopy. On heating the m-Al particles begin to form a -A12O3 scale before reaching the melting point and the molten Al is kept within the -A1 2O3 shell. On further heating -A12O 3 is detected, which forms simultaneously with the -A1 2O3. The -A12O3 / -A12O3 scale is stable and protective under isothermal conditions up to 800°C within the investigated times. On further heating the -A12O3 and -A12O 3 transform simultan eously to -A12O3 in a temperature range of 850°C to 1100°C. Under isothermal conditions the -A12O3 transformation is observed after 160 min at 850°C. During the -A12O3 transformation shrinkage occurs that leads to formation of pores. A model is proposed describing the mechanism that leads to the formation of the observed whiskers morphologies during the -A12O3 transformation