Spectral Aerosol Transmittance in the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectra in Athens,Greece

This work investigates the spectral atmospheric transmittance due to aerosols in the urban environment of Athens during a period of one year. The spectral transmittance due to aerosols is derived using measurements of spectral direct-beam solar irradiance in the 310–575 nm spectral band. This derivation is accomplished by using a radiative transfer model for estimating the partial spectral atmospheric transmittance functions due to Rayleigh scattering, and absorption by ozone, nitrogen dioxide and water vapor. The seasonal and diurnal variation of the aerosol transmittance is investigated and the results are discussed with a view to air pollution sources, meteorological factors and topographic characteristics of the Athens basin.     

Atmospheric Broadband Model for Computation of Solar Radiation at the Earth’s Surface. Application to Mediterranean Climate

—This paper deals with a new broadband atmospheric model designed for predicting the total and diffuse solar radiation incident on the earth’s surface in medium or large-sized coastal or near-coastal cities, under a clear or cloudy sky. The revised solar spectrum is used. The atmospheric transmittance of each atmospheric parameter contributing to solar radiation depletion, water vapor, ozone, uniformly mixed gases, molecules and aerosols, is calculated using parameterized expressions resulting from integrated spectral transmittance functions. The beam and diffuse radiation components are obtained as a function of the specific atmospheric transmittances. The model requires the following parameters as inputs: total water vapor and ozone amount in a vertical column, sunshine duration and the surface albedo. The model has been used for validation purposes at two stations with slightly different characteristics (NOA and Penteli) in the Athens basin, where total and diffuse radiation measurements are available, for a period of 34 months for NOA and 23 for Penteli. The NOA station is located on a small hill (107 m a.m.s.l.) near the center of Athens, while the Penteli station (500 m a.m.s.l.) is situated in a relatively less polluted area in northern Athens. The clear sky part of the model was tested for 70 individual “clear” days with 2-minute intervals, while the whole model was checked with monthly “mean” days and mean hourly values. A close agreement between the calculated and the measured values of total and diffuse solar radiation is observed.     

Determination of Ångström and Schüepp's Parameters from Ground-based Spectral Measurements of Beam Irradiance in the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrum in Athens, Greece

—?This work estimates the Ångström coefficients, assuming a linear behavior of the natural logarithm of aerosol optical thickness, ln δ_α(λ), versus the natural logarithm of wavelength, ln λ, in the urban environment of Athens for a period of one year. The calculation of the coefficients α, β, was carried out using records of spectral beam irradiance in the 320–575?nm spectral range. The seasonal and diurnal variation of the coefficients shows different features with generally higher values of β and lower values of α in summertime. The Ångström coefficients are investigated with respect to various wind regimes and the results are discussed with a view to air pollution sources, climatic and topographic characteristics of the Athens basin. A similar study is also carried out for the Schüepp's turbidity parameter.     

The diffuse-to-global spectral irradiance ratio as a cloud-screening technique for radiometric data

Continuous measurements of solar spectral radiation using the multifilter rotating shadow band radiometer (MFRSR-7) are performed at the Actinometric Station of the National Observatory of Athens (ASNOA). The present study utilizes 4 days of continuous observations, from local sunrise to sunset, in order to investigate the daily variation of the radiation components (diffuse and global) as well as their ratio (diffuse-to-global irradiance ratio, DGR) under different atmospheric conditions. DGR has received a great scientific interest, as well as the respective diffuse-to-direct-beam ratio especially for investigating solar irradiance modifications under different atmospheric conditions, aerosol load and optical properties. Apart from this, the present study shows that the DGR can also constitute a powerful tool for cloud screening, i.e. for removing perturbed data due to cloud contamination from automated sun scanning radiometers. The relationship between DGR at a specific wavelength with the respective ratio for the whole MFRSR band (300–1100 nm) is found to exhibit a curvature; this curvature is strongly modified when perturbed irradiance data (possibly caused by clouds) occur. Even though the perturbed data can also be easily identified from the diurnal irradiance variation, the present study is the first to show the effect of perturbed solar spectral data on the DGR.     

Cases of aerosol optical depth estimation in the Athens area,Greece

This work estimates the Ångström turbidity coefficients and investigates the variation of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the Athens area, during different atmospheric conditions. The AOD is estimated in the wavelength band of 400–670 nm from direct-beam spectral irradiance measurements using ground-based instrumentation, during an experimental campaign performed in the period 22 September–1 October 2002. All data were collected under clear-sky conditions near the city center of Athens; the AODs were estimated relative to the local zenith to avoid the influence of the optical air mass. The study shows that the AOD is influenced by wind regime and traffic in the Athens area. The Angstrom's turbidity coefficients and the AOD values were found to be higher under the influence of South-sector winds compared to those from the North-sector. Under South-sector low winds, the pollutants are accumulated in the Athens basin. On the contrary, the North-sector winds clean the atmosphere.     

The diffuse-to-global and diffuse-to-direct-beam spectral irradiance ratios as turbidity indexes in an urban environment

Continuous measurements of solar spectral radiation using the Multi-filter Rotating Shadow Band Radiometer (MFRSR) are performed at the Actinometric Station of the National Observatory of Athens (ASNOA). The present study utilizes three clear-sky days of continuous observations, from local sunrise to local sunset, in order to investigate the daily variation of the radiation components (diffuse, global and direct-beam) as well as their ratios (diffuse-to-global, DGR, and diffuse-to-direct-beam, DDR) under different atmospheric conditions. Both ratios have received great scientific interest, especially for investigating solar irradiance modifications under various atmospheric conditions, aerosol load and optical properties. Apart from this, the present study shows that the DDR can constitute a measure of atmospheric turbidity when it is determined at longer wavelengths, while the DGR cannot. The effect of the solar zenith angle (SZA) on both ratios is significant at the shorter wavelengths with varying sensitivities depending on the aerosol field and sun elevation. The present study confirms the results obtained by previous solar irradiance measurements in Athens and also those computed via radiative transfer codes and sheds light on the scientific knowledge of the use of spectral DDR as an atmospheric turbidity index.     

Seasonal changes in diurnal variation of potential gradient at Fargo,North Dakota

Summary The atmospheric electric potential gradient was recorded continuously by a field mill at Fargo, North Dakota, for the period August, 1972–March, 1973. Hourly averages were taken by the equal areas technique to eliminate short period variations. The diurnal variation of monthly averages is shown for the fair weather periods and all weather. In addition, the diurnal variation is shown for all positive values of the potential gradient, which excludes periods of major local space charge generators, but includes periods when the potential gradient might be influenced by regional conditions not otherwise present during fair weather. For a given month the diurnal variation curves are generally similar, with the fair weather curve giving the highest values, and all weather curve giving the lowest values. The months September–November have similar curves with the lowest values and least deviation from the average. The months December–February have similar curves with the highest values.Harmonic analysis is used to compute the times of maxima and contributions to variance of the first four harmonics for each diurnal variation curve. The fair weather first harmonic accounts for the majority of variance and has a maximum near 19.5 h GMT. It is attributed to the global diurnal variation of potential gradient due to thunderstorm activity in the tropics. The second harmonic has one maximum occurring from 9–12 h local time and is attributed to the austausch effect of convection, where ions affect the conductivity of the air locally.The differences in these monthly diurnal variation curves emphasize that the season of year, weather conditions, and length of time over which data is averaged must be specified in atmospheric electricity studies if meaningful conclusions are to be drawn.     

Growth in the atmospheric aerosol concentration as a climate forcing agent

The level of scattered radiation is analyzed using data of diurnal solar coronograph observations at the Mountain Astronomic Station in the period 1957?C2010 around coronal spectral lines at 5303 ? and 6374 ?. The observations were performed near the solar limb and were normalized by the intensity of the solar disk center. The measurements revealed variations on different timescales: seasonal variations, local maxima on timescales of a few years, and long-term trends. The local changes in the level of scattered radiation were found to be probably due to volcanic eruptions. An analysis revealed a tendency towards an increased in scattered radiation by approximately 40% during the last 50 years. The variations in the level of scattered radiation are compared with the concentration of atmospheric aerosols. The long-term growth in scattered radiation compares well with changes in the Earth??s near-surface temperature and is possibly associated with global climate change.     

The Carnegie Curve

The Earth’s fair weather atmospheric electric field shows, in clean air, an average daily variation which follows universal time, globally independent of the measurement position. This single diurnal cycle variation (maximum around 19UT and minimum around 03UT) is widely known as the Carnegie curve, after the geophysical survey vessel of the Carnegie Institution of Washington on which the original measurement campaigns demonstrating the universal time variation were undertaken. The Carnegie curve’s enduring importance is in providing a reference variation against which atmospheric electricity measurements are still compared; it is believed to originate from regular daily variations in atmospheric electrification associated with the different global disturbed weather regions. Details of the instrumentation, measurement principles and data obtained on the Carnegie’s seventh and final cruise are reviewed here, also deriving new harmonic coefficients allowing calculation of the Carnegie curve for different seasons. The additional harmonic analysis now identifies changes in the phasing of the maximum and minimum in the Carnegie curve, which shows a systematic seasonal variation, linked to the solstices and equinoxes, respectively.     

与气压有关的地电场特征及机理研究

使用宁夏四个地电台站记录的地电场数据,研究其变化特征、频谱特征、与区域气压变化的关系及测量方向与附近断裂走向的关系。研究结果显示：部分地电场具有日变化特征,同时也具有气压非周期性变化特征,这种特征与气压变化呈负相关,当场地裂隙优势方位与附近断裂带方位呈近似垂直或较大夹角时,测向与附近断裂走向近垂直的地电场与气压相关性较高。分析认为地电场具有气压非周期变化特征是因为测量位置基岩孔隙的渗透率与附近断裂裂缝的渗透率不同,流体渗流过程中气压系统变化引起的流体“窜流”所致。     

Reliability of Ambient Noise Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio in Urban Environments: The Case of Thessaloniki City (Northern Greece)

In the framework of an ambient noise measurement project in the downtown district of the City of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece), several tests and evaluation of noise recordings were performed in selected sites. This data set was processed and compared with previous results for the same sites in terms of horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio obtained from weak and strong motion earthquake data. The recording system used was tested against a reference one. Finally, systematic ambient noise measurements were performed at eight sites in the citys downtown area, to evaluate diurnal and seasonal variations. It was concluded that the recording system used was reliable and the ambient noise H/V spectral ratios were in good agreement with relevant results previously obtained. Diurnal variation of the ambient noise H/V spectral ratio showed that it is preferable to perform measurements during the calm hours of the day, when man-made noise is relatively low. However, no systematic seasonal fluctuation effect on the ambient noise H/V spectral ratio was identified.     

A collaborative study on temperature diurnal tide in the midlatitude mesopause region (41°N, 105°W) with Na lidar and TIMED/SABER observations

The na lidar-observed temperature diurnal tidal perturbations, based on full-diurnal-cycle observations from 2002 to 2008, are compared with tidal wave measurements by the TIMED/SABER instrument to elucidate the nature of diurnal tidal-period perturbations observed locally. The diurnal amplitude and phase profiles deduced by the two instruments are in very good agreement most of the year. However, the lidar-observed diurnal amplitudes during winter months and early spring are considerably larger than SABER observations, leading to the existence of a significant amplitude maximum of 12 K near 90 km in February and a different seasonal structure of temperature diurnal amplitude from the two instruments. The lidar-observed diurnal phase shows propagating wave characteristics during equinoctial months, but exhibit “evanescent wave” behavior in winter months, whereas SABER diurnal tidal phase exhibits propagating diurnal tidal character all year long with small seasonal variation. This anomalous tidal characteristic from the lidar observations repeats almost every winter. The exact mechanism behind this tidal feature is not fully understood, therefore further investigation and more experimental observations are necessary.     

四川地区地震背景噪声特征分析

选取四川省数字测震台网2015年1月1日至2018年12月31日期间60个固定台站的三分量连续波形记录,计算了台站噪声加速度功率谱密度及相应的概率密度函数分布,统计了不同频率下的噪声功率谱密度值分布,对不同区域、不同频率下背景噪声水平的变化特征予以分析。结果表明:大部分地震台站的高频段噪声由于受到台站附近人为的、规律的作息生活和生产方式的影响,呈现明显的季节性变化和日变化,即夏季噪声水平升高,冬季降低,在农历春节期间达到全年最低值,地理空间分布特征不明显;第二类地脉动冬季噪声水平升高,夏季降低,季节性变化明显,平均变化为1—5 dB,且冬季峰值出现的频率向长周期方向移动1—2 s,呈现明显的地理空间分布特征,川东地区平均噪声水平最高,攀西地区次之,川西高原最低;与第二类地脉动相比,第一类地脉动观测到的噪声能量较弱,季节性变化不明显,地理空间分布的噪声水平差异明显减小;在20 s以上的长周期部分,台站噪声未呈明显的季节性和地理空间分布差异。此外,将地震计安置在山洞和井下,可以有效地降低台站周围干扰源、温度和压强对高频段和长周期观测的影响,噪声水平低于地表安装方式。      

Diurnal asymmetry in the lower ionosphere — seasonal variability

Summary On the basis of long period measurements of ionospheric absorption in five A3 circuits in Central Europe, it is shown that the considerable seasonal variation of the diurnal asymmetry of absorption, found in[1], exhibits practically no year-to-year variability and is well-developed at equivalent frequencies f _eq 1 MHz, while it vanishes at F _eq 2 MHz. The limited data on the diurnal asymmetry of the D-region electron concentration are consistent with the seasonal pattern of the diurnal asymmetry in absorption. A tentative hypothesis of nitric oxide variability as the cause of the seasonal variation of the asymmetry is proposed.     

Trends in Athens rainfall

Summary The trends appearing in the annual and seasonal rainfall of Athens were investigated by running 30-year averages. The period used began in 1860 and the data until December 1956 were used. The figures 1–5 show the 30-year running averages curves for each of the four seasons and for the year as a whole.     

Spatial and temporal variations in infrared emissions of the upper atmosphere. 1. Atomic oxygen (λ 63 μm) emission

Rocket and balloon measurement data on atomic-oxygen (λ 63 µm) emission in the upper atmosphere are presented. The data from the longest (1989–2003) period of measurements of the atomic-oxygen (λ 63 µm) emission intensity obtained by spectral instruments on sounding balloons at an altitude of 38 km at midlatitudes have been systematized and analyzed. Regularities in diurnal and seasonal variations in the intensity of this emission, as well as in its relation with solar activity, have been revealed.     

中国地区地磁垂直分量日变幅的空间分布及高空电流体系焦点位置的移动

本文利用我国部分台站地磁垂直分量日变幅的资料,采用局部地区日变场的分析方法,研究了地磁垂直分量日变幅在中国地区的空间分布特征.结果表明,在局部地区地磁日变场的研究中,考虑经度影响是必要的,本文所用方法是适宜的;结果还表明,垂直分量日变幅的空间分布呈现出明显的季节变化、逐月变化及逐日变化性.若粗略地把磁静日垂直分量日变幅极大值所处的纬度视为 Sq 高空电流体系的焦点所对应的纬度,则此焦点纬度夏季最高,冬季最低,春秋季居中,并显出明显的逐月及逐日变化性,在相邻的两个静日,焦点纬度的变化可达几度.      

On the hourly contribution of global cloud-to-ground lightning activity to the atmospheric electric field in the Antarctic during December 1992

ELF magnetic field measurements from 10 to 135 Hz at Arrival Heights, Antarctica, are used as a proxy measure of global cloud-to-ground lightning activity. Simultaneous hourly recordings of the atmospheric electric field on the surface of the Earth at South Pole during December 1992 make possible a detailed comparison between global cloud-to-ground lightning activity and the atmospheric electric field. Although the mean diurnal variation of the ELF magnetic field and the atmospheric electric field exhibit a remarkable similarity in shape and phase, the hourly departures from their mean diurnal variations are poorly correlated. We quantify the variability of the atmospheric electric field which can be explained by global cloud-to-ground lightning activity through linear regression analysis. To estimate an accuracy of this method, it is applied to simultaneous measurements of the ELF magnetic field at Søndrestrømfjord, Greenland, for comparison. The resulting hourly contribution of global cloud-to-ground lightning activity to the atmospheric electric field in the Antarctic during December 1992 is ∼40±10%, and the contribution of global cloud-to-ground lightning activity to hourly departures from the mean diurnal variation of the atmospheric electric field is ∼25±10%.