Morphological controls on surface runoff: an interpretation of steady-state energy patterns, maximum power states and dissipation regimes within a thermodynamic framework Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-26-3125-2022 9 September 2022 In hydrology the formation of landform patterns is of special interest as changing forcings of the natural systems, such as climate or land use, will change these structures. In our study we developed a thermodynamic framework for surface runoff on hill slopes and highlight the differences of energy conversion patterns on two related spatial and temporal scales. The results indicate that surface runoff on hill slopes approaches a maximum power state. Read more
Agricultural intensification vs. climate change: what drives long-term changes in sediment load? Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-26-3021-2022 7 September 2022 This study explored the quantitative contribution of agricultural intensification and climate change to the sediment load of a small agricultural watershed. Rather than a change in climatic conditions, changes in the land structure notably altered sediment concentrations under high-flow conditions, thereby contributing most to the increase in annual sediment loads. More consideration of land structure improvement is required when combating the transfer of soil from land to water. Read more
Climate bifurcations in a Schwarzschild equation model of the Arctic atmosphere Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-29-219-2022 5 September 2022 Climate change is causing rapid temperature increases in the polar regions. A fundamental question is whether these temperature increases are reversible. If we control carbon dioxide emissions, will the temperatures revert or will we have passed a tipping point beyond which return to the present state is impossible? Our mathematical model of the Arctic climate indicates that under present emissions the Arctic climate will change irreversibly to a warm climate before the end of the century. Read more
The influence of vegetation water dynamics on the ASCAT backscatter–incidence angle relationship in the Amazon Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-26-2997-2022 2 September 2022 This study investigates spatial and temporal patterns in the incidence angle dependence of backscatter from the ASCAT C-band scatterometer and relates those to precipitation, humidity, and radiation data and GRACE equivalent water thickness in ecoregions in the Amazon. The results show that the ASCAT data record offers a unique perspective on vegetation water dynamics exhibiting sensitivity to moisture availability and demand and phenological change at interannual, seasonal, and diurnal scales. ASCAT backscatter–incidence angle relationship in the Amazon">Read more
Effects of rotation and topography on internal solitary waves governed by the rotating Gardner equation Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-29-207-2022 31 August 2022 Internal solitons are an important class of nonlinear waves commonly observed in coastal oceans. Their propagation is affected by the Earth’s rotation and the variation in the water depth. We consider an interplay of these factors using the corresponding extension of the Gardner equation. This model allows a limiting soliton amplitude and the corresponding increase in wavelength, making the effects of rotation and topography on a shoaling wave especially significant. Read more
Determination of atmospheric column condensate using active and passive remote sensing technology Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-15-3555-2022 29 August 2022 It is necessary to correctly evaluate the amount of cloud water resources in an area. Currently, there is a lack of effective observation methods for atmospheric column condensate evaluation. We propose a method for atmospheric column condensate by combining millimetre cloud radar, lidar and microwave radiometers. The method can realise determination of atmospheric column condensate. The variation of cloud before precipitation is considered, and the atmospheric column is deduced and obtained. Read more
Invited perspectives: Challenges and step changes for natural hazard – perspectives from the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-22-1969-2022 26 August 2022 The worldwide challenge of the present as well as the future is to navigate the global community to a sustainable and secure future. Humanity is increasingly facing multiple risks under more challenging conditions. The continuation of climate change and the ever more frequent occurrence of extreme, multi-hazard, and cascading events are interacting with increasingly complex and interconnected societies. DKKV)">Read more
Australian wildfire smoke in the stratosphere: the decay phase in 2020/2021 and impact on ozone depletion Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-22-7417-2022 24 August 2022 We present and discuss 2 years of long-term lidar observations of the largest stratospheric perturbation by wildfire smoke ever observed. The smoke originated from the record-breaking Australian fires in 2019–2020 and affects climate conditions and even the ozone layer in the Southern Hemisphere. The obvious link between dense smoke occurrence in the stratosphere and strong ozone depletion found in the Arctic and in the Antarctic in 2020 can be regarded as a new aspect of climate change. Read more
New insights on the prevalence of drizzle in marine stratocumulus clouds based on a machine learning algorithm applied to radar Doppler spectra Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-22-7405-2022 22 August 2022 Drizzle (small rain droplets) is an important component of warm clouds; however, its existence is poorly understood. In this study, we capitalized on a machine-learning algorithm to develop a drizzle detection method. We applied this algorithm to investigate drizzle occurrence and found out that drizzle is far more ubiquitous than previously thought. This study demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of drizzle in clouds and will improve understanding of the associated microphysical process. Read more
Glacial runoff buffers droughts through the 21st century Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-13-935-2022 19 August 2022 Global climate models suggest that droughts could worsen over the coming century. In mountain basins with glaciers, glacial runoff can ease droughts, but glaciers are retreating worldwide. We analysed how one measure of drought conditions changes when accounting for glacial runoff that changes over time. Surprisingly, we found that glacial runoff can continue to buffer drought throughout the 21st century in most cases, even as the total amount of runoff declines. Read more
