Impacts of aviation fuel sulfur content on climate and human health Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-10521-2016 24 August 2016 Using a coupled tropospheric chemistry-aerosol microphysics model this research paper investigates the effect of variations in aviation fuel sulfur content (FSC) on surface PM2.5 concentrations, increases in aviation-induced premature mortalities, low-level cloud condensation nuclei and radiative effect. When investigating the climatic impact of variations in FSC the ozone direct radiative effect, aerosol direct radiative effect and aerosol cloud albedo effect are quantified. Read more
Hemispherically asymmetric volcanic forcing of tropical hydroclimate during the last millennium Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-7-681-2016 23 August 2016 A band of intense rainfall exists near the equator known as the intertropical convergence zone, which can migrate in response to climate forcings. Here, we assess such migration in response to volcanic eruptions of varying spatial structure (Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, or an eruption fairly symmetric about the equator). We do this using model simulations of the last millennium and link results to energetic constraints and the imprint eruptions may leave behind in past records. Read more
Satellite observations of stratospheric hydrogen fluoride and comparisons with SLIMCAT calculations Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-10501-2016 22 August 2016 HF, the dominant stratospheric fluorine reservoir, results from the atmospheric degradation of anthropogenic species such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. All are strong greenhouse gases, and CFCs and HCFCs deplete stratospheric ozone. We report the comparison of HF global distributions and trends measured by the ACE-FTS and HALOE satellite instruments with the output of SLIMCAT, a chemical transport model. The global HF trends reveal a slowing down in the rate of increase of HF since the 1990s. Read more
Annual Greenland accumulation rates (2009–2012) from airborne snow radar The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1739-2016 11 August 2016 Contemporary climate warming over the Arctic is accelerating mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet through increasing surface melt, emphasizing the need to closely monitor surface mass balance in order to improve sea-level rise predictions. Here, we quantify the net annual accumulation over the Greenland Ice Sheet, which comprises the largest component of surface mass balance, at a higher spatial resolution than currently available using high-resolution, airborne-radar data. Read more
A review of marine geomorphometry, the quantitative study of the seafloor Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-3207-2016 9 August 2016 Geomorphometry, the science of quantitative terrain characterization, has traditionally focused on the investigation of terrestrial landscapes. More recently, a suite of geomorphometric techniques have been applied to characterize the seafloor. The dynamic, four-dimensional nature of the marine environment and differences in data collection methods cause issues for geomorphometry that are specific to marine applications. This article offers the first review of marine geomorphometry to date. Read more
Large gain in air quality compared to an alternative anthropogenic emissions scenario Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-9771-2016 4 August 2016 Three 30-year simulations of past atmospheric composition changes were performed using different anthropogenic emissions of pollutants accounting or not for the applied air quality legislation and accounting for the year–to–year observed climate and natural emissions variability. The actual benefit of applied legislation along with technological advances is higher than what is usually calculated by a simple comparison of today’s atmosphere against a constant anthropogenic emissions simulation. Read more
Drift simulation of MH370 debris using superensemble techniques Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-1623-2016 27 July 2016 In March 2014, a commercial airliner vanished without a trace. The main wreckage of the plane was never recovered, except for some small parts that washed up more than 17 months after the disappearance. In this paper we show a method to model the most likely trajectories of floating debris from the aircraft. The results show that the assumed area of the crash site is compatible with the recovered debris and predict that further debris may be found along the African east coast. Read more
Wave climate in the Arctic 1992–2014: seasonality and trends The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-10-1605-2016 26 July 2016 Satellite observations show the Arctic sea ice has decreased the last 30 years. From our wave model hindcast and satellite altimeter datasets we observe profound increasing wave heights, which are caused by the loss of sea ice and not the driving winds. If ice-free conditions persist later into fall, then regions like the Beaufort–Chukchi Sea will be prone to developing larger waves since the driving winds are strong this time of year. Read more
Observed and simulated full-depth ocean heat-content changes for 1970–2005 Ocean Science DOI 10.5194/os-12-925-2016 26 July 2016 A new method of observing ocean heat content throughout the entire ocean depth is provided. The new method is compared with simulated ocean heat content changes from climate models. The comparisons are carried out in various depth layers of the ocean waters. It is found that there is excellent agreement between the models and the observations. Furthermore, we propose that changes to ocean heat content be used as a fundamental metric to evaluate climate models. Read more
Using video games for volcanic hazard education and communication: an assessment of the method and preliminary results Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-16-1673-2016 22 July 2016 Here, we aim to better understand the potential for using video games in volcanic hazard education with at-risk communities. A study using a bespoke-designed video game – St. Vincent’s Volcano – was trialled on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 2015. Preliminary data analysis demonstrates 94 % of study participants had an improved knowledge of volcanic hazards after playing the game, leading us to conclude that video games could be a logical progression for education and outreach activities. Read more
