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
A post-wildfire response in cave dripwater chemistry Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-2745-2016 21 July 2016 Our current understanding of wildfires on Earth is filled with knowledge gaps. One reason for this is our poor record of fire in natural archives. We open the possibility for speleothems to be “a missing piece to the fire-puzzle”. We find by effecting surface evaporation and transpiration rates, wildfires can have a multi-year impact on speleothem, forming dripwater hydrology and chemistry. We open a new avenue for speleothems as potential palaeo-fire archives. Read more
The PRISM4 (mid-Piacenzian) paleoenvironmental reconstruction Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-12-1519-2016 13 July 2016 Past intervals in Earth history provide unique windows into conditions much different than those observed today. We investigated the paleoenvironments of a past warm interval (~ 3 million years ago). Our reconstruction includes data sets for surface temperature, vegetation, soils, lakes, ice sheets, topography, and bathymetry. These data are being used along with global climate models to expand our understanding of the climate system and to help us prepare for future changes. Read more
Can mussels be used as sentinel organisms for characterization of pollution in urban water systems? Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-20-2679-2016 8 July 2016 We assessed if nitrogen stable isotopes in mussels are a suitable indicator, capable of resolving spatial and temporal variability of nutrient pollution in an urban estuary. Our results highlight the value of using stable isotope analysis as an integrative tool to establish an understanding of local processes and pollution levels in theses urban aquatic systems. We suggest that mussels can become a robust tool for the detection of emerging anthropogenic pollutants of concern in urban water systems. Read more
