40 research outputs found
Reconstructing volcanic radiative forcing since 1990, using a comprehensive emission inventory and spatially resolved sulfur injections from satellite data in a chemistry-climate model
This paper presents model simulations of stratospheric aerosols with a focus on explosive volcanic eruptions.
Using various (occultation and limb-based) satellite instruments, providing vertical profiles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and aerosol extinction, we characterized the chemical and radiative inïŹuence of volcanic aerosols for the period between 1990 and 2019.
We established an improved and extended volcanic SO2 emission inventory that includes more than 500 explosive volcanic eruptions reaching the upper troposphere and the stratosphere.
Each perturbation identified was derived from the satellite data and incorporated as a three-dimensional SO2 plume into a chemistry-climate model without the need for additional assumptions about altitude distribution and eruption duration as needed for a âpoint sourceâ approach.
The simultaneous measurements of SO2 and aerosol extinction by up to four satellite instruments enabled a reliable conversion of extinction measurements into injected SO2.
In the chemistry-climate model, the SO2 from each individual plume was converted into aerosol particles and their optical properties were determined.
Furthermore, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the instantaneous radiative forcing on climate were calculated online. Combined with model improvements, the results of the simulations are consistent with the observations of the various satellites.
Slight deviations between the observations and model simulations were found for the large volcanic eruption of Pinatubo in 1991 and cases where simultaneous satellite observations were not unique or too sparse.
Weak- and medium-strength volcanic eruptions captured in satellite data and the Smithsonian database typically inject about 10 to 50âkt SO2 directly into the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) region or the sulfur species are transported via convection and advection. Our results confirm that these relatively minor eruptions, which occur quite frequently, can nevertheless contribute to the stratospheric aerosol layer and are relevant for the Earth's radiation budget.
These minor eruptions cause a total global instantaneous radiative forcing of the order of â0.1âWâmâ2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) compared to a background stratospheric aerosol forcing of about â0.04âWâmâ2.
Medium-strength eruptions injecting about 400âkt SO2 into the stratosphere or accumulation of consecutive smaller eruptions can lead to a total instantaneous forcing of about â0.3âWâmâ2. We show that it is critical to include the contribution of the extratropical lowermost stratospheric aerosol in the forcing calculations.</p
The influence of hydrophobic surface coatings on carbonation induced corrosion in reinforced concrete structures|Effetto di un rivestimento idrorepellente sulla corrosione da carbonatazione in strutture in calcestruzzo armato
Rebar corrosion is the main cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures and leading not only to problems regarding the userâs safety but also to high costs for necessary repairs. Carbonation of concrete in contact with reinforcements leads to a uniform consumption of the rebars cross section, the formation of expansive corrosion products and thus cracking and spalling of the concrete cover. Hydrophobic pore lining treatments can be an interesting method to control the propagation of rebar corrosion in carbonated concrete and, thus, to prolongate the service life of the structures. In this paper, the effect of a hydrophobic coating on initiation and propagation of carbonation-induced corrosion was analysed
Radiative forcing by volcanic eruptions since 1990, calculated with a chemistry-climate model and a new emission inventory based on vertically resolved satellite measurements
This paper presents model simulations of stratospheric aerosols with a focus on explosive volcanic eruptions. Using various (occulation and limb based) satellite instruments, with vertical profiles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) instrument and vertical profiles of aerosol extinction from GOMOS (Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars), OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System), and SAGE II (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment), we characterised the inïŹuence of volcanic aerosols for the period between 1990 and 2019. We established a volcanic sulfur emission inventory that includes more than 500 eruptions. The identified SO2 perturbations were incorporated as three-dimensional pollution plumes into a chemistry-climate model, which converts the gases into aerosol particles and computes their optical properties. The Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and the climate radiative forcing are calculated online. Combined with model improvements, the simulations reproduce the observations of the various satellites. Slight deviations between the observations and model simulations were found only for the large volcanic eruption of Pinatubo in 1991. This is likely due to either an overestimation of the removal of aerosol particles in the model, or limitations of the satellite measurements, which are related to saturation effects associated with anomalously high aerosol concentrations. Since Pinatubo, only smaller-sized volcanic eruptions have taken place. Weak- and medium-strength volcanic eruptions captured in satellite data and the Smithsonian database typically inject about 10âkt to 50âkt SO2 directly into the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UTLS) region or transport it indirectly via convection and advection. Our results show that these relatively smaller eruptions, which occur quite frequently, can nevertheless contribute significantly to the stratospheric aerosol layer and are relevant for the Earth's radiation budget. These eruptions are found to cause a global radiative forcing in the order of â0.1âWmâ2 at the tropopause