Porting the WAVEWATCH III (v6.07) wave action source terms to GPU Geoscientific Model Development DOI 10.5194/gmd-16-1445-2023 3 May 2023 Wind-generated waves play an important role in modifying physical processes at the air–sea interface, but they have been traditionally excluded from climate models due to the high computational cost of running spectral wave models for climate simulations. To address this, our work identified and accelerated the computationally intensive section of WAVEWATCH III on GPU using OpenACC. This allows for high-resolution modelling of atmosphere–wave–ocean feedbacks in century-scale climate integrations. Read more
Selective deuteration as a tool for resolving autoxidation mechanisms in α-pinene ozonolysis Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-4373-2023 1 May 2023 We discuss and show the viability of a method where multiple isotopically labelled precursors are used for probing the formation pathways of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) from the oxidation of the monoterpene a-pinene. HOMs are very important for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in forested regions, and monoterpenes are the single largest source of SOA globally. The fast reactions forming HOMs have thus far remained elusive despite considerable efforts over the last decade. Read more
Particulate organic matter in the Lena River and its delta: from the permafrost catchment to the Arctic Ocean Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-20-1423-2023 28 April 2023 Arctic warming accelerates permafrost thaw and release of terrestrial organic matter (OM) via rivers to the Arctic Ocean. We compared particulate organic carbon (POC), total suspended matter, and C isotopes (δ13C and Δ14C of POC) in the Lena delta and Lena River along a ∼1600 km transect. We show that the Lena delta, as an interface between the Lena River and the Arctic Ocean, plays a crucial role in determining the qualitative and quantitative composition of OM discharged into the Arctic Ocean. Read more
Patterns and drivers of water quality changes associated with dams in the Tropical Andes Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-27-1493-2023 26 April 2023 Dams are an important and rapidly growing means of energy generation in the Tropical Andes of South America. To assess the impacts of dams in the region, we assessed differences in the upstream and downstream water quality of all hydropower dams in Colombia. We found evidence of substantial dam-induced changes in water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and suspended sediments. Dam-induced changes in Colombian waters violate regulations and are likely impacting aquatic life. Read more
Foreign emissions exacerbate PM2.5 pollution in China through nitrate chemistry Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-4149-2023 24 April 2023 Research on the sources of Chinese PM2.5 pollution has focused on the contributions of China’s domestic emissions. However, the impact of foreign anthropogenic emissions has typically been simplified or neglected. Here we find that foreign anthropogenic emissions play an important role in Chinese PM2.5 pollution through chemical interactions between foreign-transported pollutants and China’s local emissions. Thus, foreign emission reductions are essential for improving Chinese air quality. Read more
Uncertainty in aerosol–cloud radiative forcing is driven by clean conditions Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-4115-2023 21 April 2023 The impact of aerosols on clouds is one of the largest uncertainties in the human forcing of the climate. Aerosol can increase the concentrations of droplets in clouds, but observational and model studies produce widely varying estimates of this effect. We show that these estimates can be reconciled if only polluted clouds are studied, but this is insufficient to constrain the climate impact of aerosol. The uncertainty in aerosol impact on clouds is currently driven by cases with little aerosol. Read more
A multi-disciplinary analysis of the exceptional flood event of July 2021 in central Europe – Part 2: Historical context and relation to climate change Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-23-1287-2023 19 April 2023 Heavy precipitation in July 2021 led to widespread floods in western Germany and neighbouring countries. The event was among the five heaviest precipitation events of the past 70 years in Germany, and the river discharges exceeded by far the statistical 100-year return values. Simulations of the event under future climate conditions revealed a strong and non-linear effect on flood peaks: for +2K global warming, an 18% increase in rainfall led to a 39% increase of the flood peak in the Ahr river. Read more
Brief communication: On the extremeness of the July 2021 precipitation event in western Germany Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-23-1227-2023 17 April 2023 Estimating the severity of a rainfall event based on the damage caused is easy but highly depends on the affected region. A less biased measure for the extremeness of an event is its rarity combined with its spatial extent. In this brief communication, we investigate the sensitivity of such measures to the underlying dataset and highlight the importance of considering multiple spatial and temporal scales using the devastating rainfall event in July 2021 in central Europe as an example. Read more
Investigation of links between dynamical scenarios and particularly high impact of Aeolus on numerical weather prediction (NWP) forecasts Author(s): Anne Martin, Martin Weissmann, and Alexander Cress Weather and Climate Dynamics DOI 10.5194/wcd-4-249-2023 14 April 2023 Global wind profiles from the Aeolus satellite mission are an important recent substitute for the Global Observing System, showing an overall positive impact on numerical weather prediction forecasts. This study highlights atmospheric dynamic phenomena constituting pathways for significant improvement of Aeolus for future studies, including large-scale tropical circulation systems and the interaction of tropical cyclones undergoing an extratropical transition with the midlatitude waveguide. Read more
The new Kr-86 excess ice core proxy for synoptic activity: West Antarctic storminess possibly linked to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) movement through the last deglaciation Climate of the Past DOI 10.5194/cp-19-579-2023 12 April 2023 It is unclear how different components of the global atmospheric circulation, such as the El Niño effect, respond to large-scale climate change. We present a new ice core gas proxy, called krypton-86 excess, that reflects past storminess in Antarctica. We present data from 11 ice cores that suggest the new proxy works. We present a reconstruction of changes in West Antarctic storminess over the last 24000 years and suggest these are caused by north–south movement of the tropical rain belt. Read more
