Slow strain waves in blocky geological media from GPS and seismological observations on the Amurian plate Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-23-467-2016 19 December 2016 We have obtained new evidence of the existence of strain waves in the Earth based on a statistical analysis of the dynamics of seismicity along the northern boundary of the Amurian plate and the data derived from in situ GPS experimental observations. Our results (the periodicity of the seismic components, spatial cycles of the seismicity maxima and migration rate of earthquakes) allow us to identify the dynamics of seismicity along the northern boundary of the Amurian plate as a wave process. GPS and seismological observations on the Amurian plate">Read more
Non-destructive evaluation of moisture content in wood using ground-penetrating radar Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems DOI 10.5194/gi-5-575-2016 16 December 2016 Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a powerful tool that uses electromagnetic waves to obtain 3-dimensional images of natural or man-made structures and subsoil. It is employed in a large variety of applications in which non-destructive investigations are required. This paper deals with the use of GPR for the evaluation of moisture content in wood. The results of our work are of great interest for the preservation of timber structures, as moisture content is highly relevant to wood deterioration. Read more
Last Interglacial climate and sea-level evolution from a coupled ice sheet–climate model Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-2195-2016 15 December 2016 We simulate the climate, ice sheet, and sea-level evolution during the Last Interglacial (~ 130 to 115 kyr BP), the most recent warm period in Earth’s history. Our Earth system model includes components representing the atmosphere, the ocean and sea ice, the terrestrial biosphere, and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Our simulation is in good agreement with available data reconstructions and gives important insights into the dominant mechanisms that caused ice sheet changes in the past. Read more
Graffiti for science – erosion painting reveals spatially variable erosivity of sediment-laden flows Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-4-885-2016 15 December 2016 Spatial bedrock erosion data from stream channels are important for engineering issues and landscape evolution model assessment. However, acquiring such data is challenging and only few data sets exist. Detecting changes in repeated photographs of painted bedrock surfaces easily allows for semi-quantitative conclusions on the spatial distribution of sediment transport and its effects: abrasion on surfaces facing the streamflow and shielding of surfaces by abundant sediment. Read more
North American regional climate reconstruction from ground surface temperature histories Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-2181-2016 14 December 2016 Within the framework of the PAGES NAm2k project, we estimated regional trends in the ground surface temperature change for the past 500 years in North America. The mean North American ground surface temperature history suggests a warming of 1.8 °C between preindustrial times and 2000. A regional analysis of mean temperature changes over the last 5 centuries shows that all regions experienced warming, but this warming displays large spatial variability and is more marked in high-latitude regions. Read more
The acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of an α-pinene-derived organic nitrate: kinetics, products, reaction mechanisms, and atmospheric impact Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-15425-2016 13 December 2016 This study provides new insight into the hydrolysis reaction mechanism, which was elucidated for atmospherically relevant organic nitrates using kinetic measurements, product identification, and theoretical calculations. The results help broaden our knowledge of the organic chemistry that impacts the fate of NOx, ozone production, aerosol phase processing, and aerosol composition. Read more
Use of remote-sensing reflectance to constrain a data assimilating marine biogeochemical model of the Great Barrier Reef Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-13-6441-2016 7 December 2016 Marine biogeochemical models are often used to understand water quality, nutrient and blue-carbon dynamics at scales that range from estuaries and bays, through to the global ocean. We introduce a new methodology allowing for the assimilation of observed remote sensing reflectances, avoiding the need to use empirically derived chlorophyll-a concentrations. This method opens up the possibility to assimilate of reflectances from a variety of missions and potentially non-satellite platforms. Read more
Significant concentrations of nitryl chloride sustained in the morning: investigations of the causes and impacts on ozone production in a polluted region of northern China Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-16-14959-2016 5 December 2016 This work addresses the unclear global significance of chlorine activation processes in the troposphere. The first high-quality measurement data set of ClNO2in northern China revealed strong ClNO2 production in the residual layers, and demonstrated its significant effects on radical budget and ozone production. Our findings imply the widespread effects of ClNO2 over the polluted regions of northern China, which may increase photochemical and haze pollution. Read more
The 1430s: a cold period of extraordinary internal climate variability during the early Spörer Minimum with social and economic impacts in north-western and central Europe Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-2107-2016 1 December 2016 Throughout the last millennium, several cold periods occurred which affected humanity. Here, we investigate an exceptionally cold decade during the 15th century. The cold conditions challenged the food production and led to increasing food prices and a famine in parts of Europe. In contrast to periods such as the “Year Without Summer” after the eruption of Tambora, these extreme climatic conditions seem to have occurred by chance and in relation to the internal variability of the climate system. Read more
Linking hydraulic traits to tropical forest function in a size-structured and trait-driven model (TFS v.1-Hydro) Geoscientific Model Development DOI 10.5194/gmd-9-4227-2016 24 November 2016 We developed a plant hydraulics model for tropical forests based on established plant physiological theory, and parameterized it by conducting a pantropical hydraulic trait survey. We show that a substantial amount of trait diversity can be represented in the model by a reduced set of trait dimensions. The fully parameterized model is able capture tree-level variation in water status and improves simulations of total ecosystem transpiration, showing how to incorporate hydraulic traits in models. TFS v.1-Hydro)">Read more
