Vulnerability to natural disasters in Serbia: spatial and temporal comparison

The frequency of natural disasters and the extent of their consequences at a global level are constantly increasing. This trend is partially caused by increased population vulnerability, which implies the degree of population vulnerability due to high magnitude natural processes. This paper presents an analysis of vulnerability to natural disaster in Serbia in the second half of the twentieth and the early twenty-first century. Vulnerability changes were traced on the basis of demographic–economic indicators derived from statistical data for local government units (municipalities) provided by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Calculations were performed in the geographical information system environment. The results of the study show that spatial and temporal vulnerability variations are causally correlated with changes in the selected components. Significant rise of vulnerability is related to urban areas, while lower values are characteristic for other areas of Serbia; this is primarily a consequence of different population density

Main water-soluble ions in precipitation of the central mediterranean region

The chemical content of atmospheric deposition is the signature of several interacting physical and chemical mechanisms: i.e., emission and source amplitude; transport processes and dynamics of the atmosphere; atmospheric chemical reactions; and removal processes, among others. Studying deposition processes and amounts thus allow for tracing the spatio-temporal evolution of atmospheric chemistry. It is also an important way for distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic influences. Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium ions are formed in the atmosphere in gas-particle conversion processes. Sulfates represent one of the main components of atmospheric aerosols. In southern Europe, rainwater has similar concentrations of acidic anions to those of other parts of Europe, but the average precipitation is not acid due to neutralizing role of basic cations. The Mediterranean Sea is enclosed basin, which is susceptible to dust transport from desert sources in North Africa (Sahara) and the Middle East (the Arabian Peninsula and Syria), lying on its periphery. The climatic conditions are favorable for the transport of dust from North Africa into the eastern Mediterranean atmosphere during the spring, while other conditions favor transport into the western Mediterranean atmosphere during the summertime. An investigation of wet deposition of water soluble Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ were done in south-eastern Adriatic coast in the period from January 1995 until December 2000. The highest precipitation and the highest frequencies of air masses coming from the western Mediterranean cause the highest Wet Deposition (WD) of the main water soluble ions. The most abundant WD of SO42- in investigated region was caused by air masses coming from the western Mediterranean and western and central Europe. The sea salt components (Na+, Cl-, Mg2+) are significantly correlated. The correlations between Ca2+ and Mg2+, Ca2+ and SO42- and Ca2+ and K+ indicate that the main terrigeneous ions were associated with formation of eolian particles which include gypsum (CaSO4), calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2). Although the Volume Weighted Mean (VWM) of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ that are coming in air masses from the continental parts of Europe are significant, the total Wet Deposition (WD) is dominated by precipitation coming over Mediterranean due to abundances of precipitation from this segment

Relationship Between Atmospheric Circulation and Temperature Extremes in Montenegro in the Period 1951–2010

Previous research conducted in Montenegro suggested an increase in maximum and minimum daily temperatures in the last decades, followed by growth of extreme events frequency. This study examines the relationship between temperature and atmospheric circulation fields in Montenegro using 9 WMO-CCL/CLIVAR extreme climatic indices. The data on atmospheric circulation refers to 11 teleconnection patterns analyzed by seasonal timescales. The assessment of the impact of certain teleconnection patterns has shown a significant connection to extreme events in Montenegro. Calculated results showed the strongest impact of EA, MO, WeMO, EAWR and AO during the winter season, while the weaker impact was calculated for NAO and SCAND. The best impact is obtained for EA and AO during spring, while summer temperature variations are connected to EA, AMO, EAWR, SCAND and NAO. The autumn season showed strong connection with EA, SCAND, AMO, EAWR, MO and AO

Duration of the Snow Cover and the Need for Artificial Snow—A Challenge for Management in Ski-Centres of Serbia

The production and use of artificial snow has become necessary in most ski centres in Europe. The lack of snow creates problems in ski centres that were built without the prior valuation of natural factors. The survey covered winter tourist centres in Serbia, which are facing problems due to the shortening of the tourist season caused by the lack of snow cover on the ski slopes. The duration of the snow cover is the result of several factors. Air temperature changes were analysed in mountain tourist centres in Serbia, as well as at undeveloped destinations with a potential for snow sports. On the basis of the quantitative indicators of the air temperature and the methodology by means of which snowmaking is carried out, the time periods during the year for making artificial snow are presented. Due to the forecast rise in air temperature, the issue of profitability of artificial snow in the ski centres of Serbia remains open