Paul J. Crutzen – a pioneer in Earth system science and a founding member of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-15445-2023 13 December 2023 Paul J. Crutzen was a pioneer in atmospheric sciences and a kind-hearted, humorous person with empathy for the private lives of his colleagues and students. He made fundamental scientific contributions to a wide range of scientific topics in all parts of the atmosphere. Paul was among the founders of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. His work will continue to be a guide for generations of scientists and environmental policymakers to come. Read more
Opinion: Tropical cirrus – from micro-scale processes to climate-scale impacts Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-15413-2023 11 December 2023 Tropical cirrus clouds are essential for climate, but our understanding of these clouds is limited due to their dependence on a wide range of small- and large-scale climate processes. In this opinion paper, we review recent advances in the study of tropical cirrus clouds, point out remaining open questions, and suggest ways to resolve them. Read more
Climate intervention using marine cloud brightening (MCB) compared with stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in the UKESM1 climate model Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-15305-2023 8 December 2023 The difficulties in ameliorating global warming and the associated climate change via conventional mitigation are well documented, with all climate model scenarios exceeding 1.5 °C above the pre-industrial level in the near future. There is therefore a growing interest in geoengineering to reflect a greater proportion of sunlight back to space and offset some of the global warming. We use a state-of-the-art Earth-system model to investigate two of the most prominent geoengineering strategies. MCB) compared with stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) in the UKESM1 climate model">Read more
Results of a long-term international comparison of greenhouse gas and isotope measurements at the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Observatory in Alert, Nunavut, Canada Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-16-5909-2023 6 December 2023 Network compatibility is important for inferring greenhouse gas fluxes at global or regional scales. This study is the first assessment of the measurement agreement among seven individual programs within the World Meteorological Organization community. It compares co-located flask air measurements at the Alert Observatory in Canada over a 17-year period. The results provide stronger confidence in the uncertainty estimation while using those datasets in various data interpretation applications. GAW) Observatory in Alert, Nunavut, Canada">Read more
Alpine hillslope failure in the western US: insights from the Chaos Canyon landslide, Rocky Mountain National Park, USA Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-11-1251-2023 4 December 2023 In this paper, we investigate the 28 June 2022 collapse of the Chaos Canyon landslide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA. We find that the landslide was moving prior to its collapse and took place at peak spring snow melt; temperature modelling indicates the potential presence of permafrost. We hypothesize that this landslide could be part of the broader landscape evolution changes to alpine terrain caused by a warming climate, leading to thawing alpine permafrost. USA">Read more
Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges in different environments and in the atmosphere Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-23-14949-2023 1 December 2023 To be able to meet global grand challenges, we need comprehensive open data with proper metadata. In this opinion paper, we describe the SMEAR (Station for Measuring Earth surface – Atmosphere Relations) concept and include several examples (cases), such as new particle formation and growth, feedback loops and the effect of COVID-19, and what has been learned from these investigations. The future needs and the potential of comprehensive observations of the environment are summarized. Read more
Simulated hydrological effects of grooming and snowmaking in a ski resort on the local water balance Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-27-4257-2023 29 November 2023 Ski resorts are a key socio-economic asset of several mountain areas. Grooming and snowmaking are routinely used to manage the snow cover on ski pistes, but despite vivid debate, little is known about their impact on water resources downstream. This study quantifies, for the pilot ski resort La Plagne in the French Alps, the impact of grooming and snowmaking on downstream river flow. Hydrological impacts are mostly apparent at the seasonal scale and rather neutral on the annual scale. Read more
Constraining an eddy energy dissipation rate due to relative wind stress for use in energy budget-based eddy parameterisations Ocean Science DOI 10.5194/os-19-1669-2023 27 November 2023 The dissipation rate of eddy energy in current energy budget-based eddy parameterisations is still relatively unconstrained, leading to uncertainties in ocean transport and ocean heat uptake. Here, we derive a dissipation rate due to the interaction of surface winds and eddy currents, a process known to significantly damp ocean eddies. The dissipation rate is quantified using seasonal climatology and displays wide spatial variability, with some of the largest values found in the Southern Ocean. Read more
Ground-to-UAV, laser-based emissions quantification of methane and acetylene at long standoff distances Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-16-5697-2023 24 November 2023 Measurements of the emission rate of a gas or gases from point and area sources are important in a range of monitoring applications. We demonstrate a method for rapid quantification of the emission rate of multiple gases using a spatially scannable open-path sensor. The open-path spectrometer measures the total column density of gases between the spectrometer and a retroreflector mounted on an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). By scanning the UAV altitude, we can determine the total gas emissions. UAV, laser-based emissions quantification of methane and acetylene at long standoff distances">Read more
Responses of globally important phytoplankton species to olivine dissolution products and implications for carbon dioxide removal via ocean alkalinity enhancement Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-20-4669-2023 22 November 2023 Applications of the mineral olivine are a promising means to capture carbon dioxide via coastal enhanced weathering, but little is known about the impacts on important marine phytoplankton. We examined the effects of olivine dissolution products on species from three major phytoplankton groups: diatoms, coccolithophores, and cyanobacteria. Growth and productivity were generally either unaffected or stimulated, suggesting the effects of olivine on key phytoplankton are negligible or positive. Read more
