Ground Layer Of Air Research Articles

Plutonium isotopes in the ground air layer in southern Poland (2010–2016): Source terms, seasonal variability and correlations with meteorological conditions

In this study, the results of the analysis of Pu-238 and Pu-239 + 240 activity concentrations on aerosol filters collected from 2010 to 2016 in Krakow (Southern Poland) are presented and discussed. For the first time, the temporal variation of Pu-239 + 240 activity concentration in surface air in Poland was studied using Fourier analysis. The analysis clearly showed that the Pu-239 + 240 content in the near-ground air layer is subject to seasonal variations and demonstrates annual periodicity. Pu analyses were performed using alpha spectrometry. The measured values ranged from 1.93∙10−10 Bq/m3 to 1.31∙10−8 Bq/m3 with an average of 2.07∙10−9 Bq/m3 for Pu-239 + 240 and from 9.07∙10−11 Bq/m3 to 1.27∙10−9 Bq/m3 with the average 1.52∙10−10 Bq/m3 for Pu-238. The analysis of the potential sources of plutonium isotopes in the air aerosols samples indicated that only two samples are uniquely characterized by the ratio corresponding to spent nuclear fuel: February 2012 (0.59 ± 0.18) and February 2015 (0.68 ± 0.19). The remaining samples showed mixed origins, with global radioactive fallout appearing to contribute more than spent nuclear fuel. To study the relationship between Pu-239 + 240 and meteorological conditions, Pearson's correlation and circulation pattern analyses were performed. The analyses showed that the Pu-239 + 240 activity concentration depends on air temperature (R = 0.51), the sum of ice and snowfall (R = −0.45), relative humidity (R = −0.54) and mean total cloud cover (R = −0.56). High concentrations of Pu-239 + 240 were positively correlated with air advection from the southern and eastern sectors, whereas low concentrations were observed during dynamic weather conditions with intense circulation from the western sector. In case of Pu-238 no significant correlation was observed.

Characteristics of forecasting meteorological conditions of air pollution over Odesa

Formulation of the problem. The level of atmospheric air pollution in large cities is influenced by a number of factors, among which the most important are the emissions of pollutants into the air, the characteristics of the sources of admixtures, the landscape features, synoptic and meteorological conditions (Vystavnaya, Zubkovych 2014). The influence of the latter is associated with the scattering, washing out and transformation of harmful substances in the atmosphere, as well as the significant variability of their concentrations in space and time. The characteristics of the wind regime (wind direction and velocity), temperature inversions, and formation of low-troposphere currents are among the meteorological factors that most influence the concentrations of contaminants in the layer of atmosphere near the surface (Ivus 2017), (Agayar 2018) Shevchenko 2020). The purpose of the article is to develop and improve methods of forecasting meteorological conditions of atmospheric pollution over industrial areas of Odesa, as well as characterize the variability of meteorological values over the Northwest Black Sea. Methods. the data of four-time observations (01, 07, 13, 19 hours) for the main pollutants on the network of eight stationary posts for the February, April, July and October of 2011 are used as the initial materials. The catalog of typical synoptic processes over the territory of Ukraine for the period of 2011-2015 is compiled at the Department of Meteorology and Climatology of the OSENU. To clarify specific synoptic situations, synoptic maps of all levels (ground-level, AT-925, AT-850, AT-700 and AT-500) from the archive of the ARMSin (‘automatic forecaster workstation’- program for processing synoptic maps that is applied in Ukraine. Results. 1. CO concentrations in the city of Odesa increase with distance from the coastal strip in to the depth of land with maximum values in places with high traffic load, regardless of the season; 2. Absence of industrial facilities and meteorological conditions contribute to the low level of air pollution around post N 8. Exceedance of the maximum allowable concentrations of carbon monoxide is observed in 6 out of 8 observation posts; 3. Favorable conditions for the accumulation of admixtures are formed in peripheral processes with low-gradient pressure fields, in front parts of cyclones and in low-motion and small cyclones with the same air mass; 4. Temperature inversions almost always accompanied the accumulation of harmful admixtures in the ground layer of air above Odesa. Scientific novelty and practical significance. In this article we have analyzed influence of meteorological conditions on the level of atmospheric air pollution in Odesa region. For these purposes the more nuanced-based method of forecasting was adapted. We have demonstrated that its use has efficiency at the present time for improvement of operative prognostic units work for the Northwest Black Sea region. Such conclusions may be identified as a result of empirical findings.

Risk analysis of natural gas transportation processes

The problem of ensuring technological reliability and environmental friendliness of the natural gas transportation process, the main approaches to risk assessment and management at industrial facilities are considered. To increase the trouble-free operation of the gas transmission system, a comprehensive risk management system is proposed. The research of an ecological condition of the ground layer of air is being done in Bogorodchany district based on the constructed maps, which represent a distribution of harmful matters concentrations, its coefficients and also the coefficients of ecological danger and the map of a total contaminating index. The general chart of ecological risk is represented. Analysis of objects for gas transportation is made. The method of area detonating calculation and distance of mixture explosive cloud distribution is considered during the damage at the main gas pipeline. Area detonating calculations and the distance of mixture explosive cloud distribution are conducted at different wind speeds.

Urban Heat Island in Moscow at different heights, depths and on the surface

The urban heat island (UHI) in Moscow was for the first time studied not only at the ground air level, but also at different heights, depths and on the surface using stationary, radiosonde and satellite data. Long-term dynamics of the UHI intensity in the ground air layer has been estimated since the end of the 19th century both as traditional ‘maximal intensity’ (the difference between the city centre and rural zone), and as ‘average intensity’ (the difference between all urban and all rural stations). In recent years they have been 2.0 and 1.0 ºC, respectively. The quasi-stabilization of both parameters in the second half of the 20th century was probably the result of extensive city growth at that time; the new increase in the UHI intensity seems to be connected with the densification of urban development and heat sources in the last 20 years. The mean daily vertical extension of the UHI in the atmosphere is approximately 300 m. In the upper soil layer (up to 160 cm deep) the maximal UHI intensity was about 1.6-1.7 ºC half a century ago. The average UHI intensity at the field of the surface temperature in recent years is 2.7 ºC.

Kontaminacja w przyziemnej warstwie powietrza w Zawoi w aspekcie poszukiwania obszarów odniesienia

Kontaminacja w przyziemnej warstwie powietrza w Zawoi w aspekcie poszukiwania obszarów odniesienia

Microbiota of the ground air layers in natural and industrial zones of the Kola Arctic

ABSTRACTThe fungi and bacteria number, as well as the species composition of the fungi in the ground air layer in the European Arctic region of Russia, primarily in the tundra (the Rybachy Peninsula), in the subzone of the northern taiga (the Pasvik State Nature Reserve) and in the industrial areas (the Copper-Nickel Plant “Pechenganickel,” the Kandalaksha Aluminum Plant) have been studied. One hundred and ninety-two atmosphere air samples of various ecosystems have been analyzed. The sample collection took place in the summer-autumn period (June, July, September, in 2012–2015) with the aspirator, precipitating microorganisms on the surface of media. The number of microorganisms per 1 m3 of air was calculated. The portion of the airborne fungi in the ground air layer both in the tundra and in the taiga was higher in comparison with the bacteria, and amounted to 60–77% of the total number colony forming units (CFU). The least number of microorganisms in the investigated period was registered in the Barents Sea coastal atmospheric air, only 11–15 microbial CFU per 1 m3. The airborne fungi diversity in the taiga zone was richer than in the tundra. The fungi of the g. Penicillium predominated in both zones air. Bacteria gram-positive (the division Fermicutes) predominated within the bacterial biota. The species Penicillium decumbens, P. raistrickii prevailed in the air of the background tundra zone regions. The representatives of the genus Torula and Sterilia mycelia, P. raistrickii predominated in the taiga zone. Close by the Copper–Nickel Plant (about 3 km), the air bacterial contamination (100–600 CFU per 1 m3) was revealed, with prevailing bacteria gram-negative (the division Gracilicutes). The species Cladosporium oxysporum predominated in the air to the greatest possible extent of the contaminated region due to the emissions of the Kandalaksha Aluminum Plant. The species Gongronella butleri were uppermost due to the emissions of the Copper–Nickel Plant «Pechenganickel». The quantity of the dark-pigmented fungi in the air for both zones amounted to 25% of the total amount within the emphasized species. The composition of the air industrial emissions stimulated the development of specific airborne fungi which are essentially different from those of the background regions.

Model Development for the Determination of PM2.5 and PM10 Fine Particles in Ground Layer of Atmospheric Air

Concentrations of fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) are the most important indicators of atmospheric air pollution. For the development of the atmosphere quality management system, the methods for calculating the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in the ground layer of air based on artificial neural networks are proposed, the input parameters of which are the total dust content in the air and the common meteorological parameters. The results of trial design and training of neural networks showed the absence of a hidden relationship between the concentrations of two fractions of fine dust, respectively, for the calculation of PM10 and PM2.5, separate neural network models should be used. It is shown that the accuracy of modeling can be improved by taking into account the coefficient of chemical transformation characterizing the ability of the atmosphere to self-purification. The designed neural networks demonstrated a high accuracy in the calculation of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations.

Variations of atmospheric electric field and meteorological parameters in Kamchatka in 1997-2016

Analysis of seasonal and annual variations of aero-electric field at a midlatitudinal observatory Paratunka in Kamchatka was carried out for 1997-2016. Stable seasonal intervals of the highest and the lowest values are observed. Changeability of the annual trend of aero-electric field in the near ground air layer at the observatory located in an active geodynamic region is shown. A large positive trend was changed by a smooth negative one. It is likely to be associated either with radon emanation intensity change in the observatory region or with volcanic activity change in Kamchatka.

Evaluation of wind erosion protective efficiency No-till technology in southern Ukraine steppe conditions

The aim of the research was to the efficiency wind erosion control of farming system «no-till» (NT) for conditions of South Steppe of Ukraine. The research was conducted at heavy load southern chornozem in the crop rotation «pea – winter (spring) wheat – sorghum – mustard». In field experiment two options of processing of the soil (traditional and minimum) and NT were studied. Options aggregate of surface soil (0–5 cm), the weight of crop residues and projective covering the soil surface were determined. Research field was equipped by meteorological station and field’s wind erosion dust-meter. The efficiency wind erosion control by NT was evaluated in three directions: the presence of dangerous wind erosion period (February–April) a certain amount of plant residues, that protect of soil surface from extreme winds (1); presence during this period of high values of «random» surface roughness of the soil, which reduces the strength of the wind in ground layer of air (2) and values of soil wind erodibility index (3). Evaluation promises more effective in terms of opening up the soil surface crop residues reveals that NT fully meets the criterion of preserving (erosion control) technology – projective cover ground in a dangerous deflationary period is an average of three years of research on the crops of spring wheat – 37.9 % for sorghum crops – 71.1 % and on crops of mustard – 60.2 %. An important indicator of the erosion control efficiency of soil tillage is percentage of vertically oriented surface plant residues. Unbroken soil surface tillage after harvesting will have the maximum amount of such residues. Analysis of these studies show that when used NT observed maximum value of this parameter – 35–55 %, more than that in other tillage. So the version with traditional soil tillage this parameter does not exceed 5 %, and versions with minimal system soil tillage – 30 %. Estimation of effectiveness of soil protection NT via a «random» surface roughness also shows a high ability wind erosion control this technology. At the same time, it should be stated that the presence of high «random» roughness autumn plowing deep plowed fields, despite the fact that the surface of the soil in the case of poorly protected plant residues. The main index of soil wind erodibility is the fraction greater than 1 mm, the so-called «lumpiness». It is known, lumpiness indicator correlate with various other soil wind erodibility indicators, in particular, the mechanical strength of soil aggregates, containing wind erosion fraction by (<0.25 mm) and wind erodibility indicators there were obtained in portable wind tunnel. Intensive plowing of the soil leads to formation of a surface of the soil with high resistance by the strong winds in the fall (lumpiness – 70–90 %). It is connected with specific mechanisms of formation of soil structure. Plowing of solonetzic chernozems, especially after dry summer and an early autumn, leads to formation of soil structure units of the larger sizes. But during the winter of lumpiness by all options of researches gradually decreases, what is explained, first of all, by action on soil units of the procedures «melting» – «freezing» that, in turn, is function from the number of transitions of temperature of the soil through 0 °C. There is a destruction of soil aggregates and dispersion of the soil, in the conditions of an unstable temperature schedule in the winter, that is a consequence of warming of climate when in the afternoon of air temperature and the soil positive, and at night the soil freezes. At the same time, when the surface of the soil during the winter and at the beginning of spring is unploughed the soil condition, as it is observed on options with NT, the number of procedures of transition through 0 °C soil temperatures sharply decreases, so a destruction of aggregates goes not so intensively on the soil surfaces. But, according to our research, in the spring, lumpiness in variants of the NT is not diminished, was 50–70 %, the lower limit soil wind erodibility for chernozem. This phenomenon is bound to higher humidity of the soil which promotes coagulation of soil particles and existence of a large number of plant residues as source of the biological substances with capacity for bonding. These factors strengthen process of formation of aggregates, large by the size, what leads to increase soil lumpiness. Direct observations of NT wind erosion control efficiency during dust storms on 26th and 27th of January, 2014 showed that soil loss in NT was 3.5 times less them on a variant of traditional tillage and 2.9 times less them on a variant of minimum tillage.

THE INFLUENCE OF TERRAIN ALTITUDE, SLOPE EXPOSURE AND SLOPE DEGREE ON PLANT SPATIAL DISTIRIBUTION

Article represents the state-of-the-art review of the literature considering influence of a relief on a spatial distribution of separate plants and vegetable communities. The relief is the ecological factor exerting indirect impact on a vegetable cover due to redistribution of heat, light and moisture. The author allocated ecologically significant elements of a relief – district height above sea level, an exposition of a slope and the steepness of a slope. Explicitly influence of height of the district above sea level on different forms of a relief – a macrorelief, a mesorelief, and a microrelief are considered. It is noted that in mountain systems vegetation it is more rich and more various than vegetation of plains that is caused by large variety of soil climatic conditions in mountains. Height of separate belts and a set of species of plants in them depend on the mountains latitude. Fluctuation of temperature gradient concerning the heights, seasons, and slopes of different exposition is very large. The mesorelief and microrelief caused the redistribution of heat and moisture, and also nutrients in the soil. For such forms of a relief the altitude change of a vegetable cover is extremely poor. In the conditions of meso - and a microrelief there is an increase in fluctuation of temperatures, intensity of frosts, duration of the frost-free period that generally influences the development of plants, their abundance and spatial distribution. Radiation level, winter distribution of snow and speed of wind depend on slope exposure. On slopes of different exposures some natural changes of air and soil temperature are observed. Exposure of slopes are of great importance for the life cycle of plants. Influence of various slope exposures is reflected in structure of vegetation on all the forms of a relief. Distinctions in soil temperatures on the slopes with various exposures also affect air temperature that is reflected in character of vegetation, structure of flora, dynamics of vegetation development and morphology of plants. Temperature of the soil and ground air layer, thickness of snow cover, size of daily amplitude of temperature, power of a soil profile, intensity of an erosion depends on the degree of slope. The degree of slope influences the specific structure and structure of phytocoenosis, emergence the petrophylous bush species, semi-low shrubs and grassy plants, formation of ecological, genetic and altitudinal zones of vegetable communities.

DISTRIBUTION OF ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION EMISSIONS’ COMPONENTS IN ATMOSPHERE AND ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS OF BAIKAL INDUSTRIAL ZONE

Fluorine and sulfur distribution in primary aluminum, the atmosphere, and atmosphere precipitation in the region of Bratsk city is considered. HF and SO2 contents in the atmosphere are found to be reduced when the amount of precipitations increases. For the first time, actual fluorine densities in all daily samples of rain and snow precipitations in the zone of the effect of emissions at the Bratsk industrial platform are determined and the indices affecting them (ground air layer temperature, intensity of the atmosphere precipitation) are found. The performances of emission component distribution in the atmosphere precipitation allow us to use them for the ecological estimation of the ambient air and determination of the correlation with the process parameters.

Analysis of monitoring data on organic/elemental carbon and total protein in ground air layer aerosol in the south of Western Siberia

The paper presents unique data of a 12-year (2001-2012) monitoring of the mass concentration of atmospheric aerosol and concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and total protein (TP) in it at the Klyuchi site (Novosibirsk region). It was found that aerosol mass concentrations, OC, and OC/EC ratio have an increasing trend, and TP has a decreasing trend. Seasonal changes in these concentrations and OC/EC and TP/OC ratios are also identified. The comparison of data obtained and recently published for other Asian and European regions show a good agreement between the values and trends for certain regions and the absence of agreement for other regions.

Computer Modelling Average Annual Temperature in the Ground Layer of Air for the South of Western Siberia (Russia)

Computer modelling the map of average annual temperature in the ground layer of air is performed for the southern part of Western Siberia (Russia). Four methods for data interpolation were used in ArcMap 9. Procedure of creation of digital model is described in detail. An original mathematic way for ranking of methods is proposed. According to results, Ordinary Kriging method gives the best approximation to the initial data.

Temperatures at the margins of a young spruce stand in relation to aboveground height

Abstract: Air temperature was monitored at a summit of the Jizerske hory Mountains (Czech Republic) in the vicinity of the northern and southern margins of a young Norway spruce stand (tree height ca 4.5 m) at 30, 60, 90 and 140 cm aboveground. Height intervals of temperature sensors were selected to represent terminal shoot heights in the planting stock of different tree-height categories (seedlings, semi-saplings and saplings). Another monitored reference point was 30 cm aboveground in an adjacent treeless gap between stands. The evaluation utilized measurements taken in two periods, from April to October 2010 and 2011. Differences were evaluated in mean temperature characteristics and minimum temperatures for the ground air layer in the stand gap and in the individual locations at the stand margins. Differences in values representing temperature extremes (minimum, maximum, amplitudes) showed a more conspicuous fluctuation than did mean values. The difference in the course of daily temperature characteristics in the ground layer of air (at 30 cm aboveground) between the stand gap and the southern margin of the spruce stand was small. The ground layer of air at the northern margin was markedly colder and showed a more stable course of temperatures. Decreasing temperature fluctuation was observed also with increasing height aboveground, and the frequency and intensity of ground frosts also was decreasing. At 140 cm aboveground (i.e., at approximately one-third of the spruce stand’s height), the differences between daily temperature characteristics at the southern and northern stand margins were small during the growing period, and there was comparable frequency as to the occurrence of late or early frosts. In conclusion, higher risk of damage to small-sized planting stock due to temperature stress was confirmed for higher mountain elevations. For sapling plantings during reconstruction of young coniferous stands, the selection of a suitable planting location within a small clear-cut area does not have such importance in terms of temperatures near the terminal shoot as it has for planting stock of smaller dimensions.

The microclimate of an unoccupied wintering sett of the badger, Meles meles (Carnivora: Mustelidae), in the Darwin state nature reserve, Vologda Region

Data on the microclimate (air temperature and humidity) within an unoccupied badger sett in the Darwin Reserve (the Vologda Region) between September 2005 and May 2006 have been analyzed in relation to changes in the temperature and humidity of the ground air layer and soil. A positive correlation has been revealed between the temperature regime of the soil and air temperature within the sett. After the establishment of snow cover, air and soil temperatures within the sett vary slightly and barely depend on ambient air temperature.

Growth of mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) in relation to the use of other tree species

In summit parts of the Orlické hory Mts., massive dieback of forests occurred during an air pollution/ecological disaster in the 70s to the 80s of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. Destroyed stands were cut down and deforested areas were planted by more resistant species including mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra). The aim of the paper was to assess effects of mountain pine on the prosperity of other tree species. Four localities with mountain pine stands were selected at altitudes from 1,000 to 1,115 m. In 2003–2005, growth analyses of shrubs were carried out there and basic parameters of stands were determined such as: height; cover of mountain pine, other tree species and herbs; radiation transmittance and temperature gradients. Results show the importance of the height of mountain pine stands in mitigating climatic changes in the ground layer of air, identification of the light compensation point for the mountain pine prosperity, the dependence of a growth type on outer and inner conditions of mountain pine including partly its age. Under given conditions, the present stands of mountain pine on top parts of the Orlické hory Mts. show their justification because they create a good protection for young seedlings, self-seeding and newly planted tree species. If forest spreads there, the markedly heliophilous mountain pine will recede similarly as in case of more than hundred-year-old mountain pine in the Sowie gory Mts. in Poland.

Elucidation of the character of radionuclide concentration changes in the near ground layer of air

The Fokker Planck equation was used to analyze the probability of the appearance of radionuclide impulses of any type. Distribution functions for the stationary state and conditions when different factors influence the impulse amplitude and duration are presented. A high degree of correlation was obtained between our results and an analysis of distribution functions of radioactivity and seismic noises in certain regions in Europe and Japan found in the literature. This presents a contribution to the further explanation of the mechanism of radioactivity changes in the near ground layers of air.

Integration of remote sensed and in-situ data in an analysis of the air pollution effects on terrestrial ecosystems in the border areas between Norway and Russia

Transboundary air pollution from industries in Nikel and Zapolyarnij has caused severe damage to the environment in Southern-Varanger in Norway and in Pechenga municipality in Russia. The work presented in this paper focuses on the integration of in-situ air pollution data with remote sensing based land cover maps. Land cover maps have been utilised to detect changes in the major land cover types within the area. The major change in the environment was the decrease of the sensitive lichen-dominated land cover types, and the increase of bilberry-dominated land cover types and finally the increase of the land cover types with the greatest air pollution stress (industrial barren, barren, and partly damaged vegetation, defoliated forests, lichen removal). A GIS based method for assessing the relationship of the remotely sensed land cover maps with the environmental condition parameters was developed and applied. By comparing the results from this analysis we observed that the land cover types with the greatest stress had the largest concentrations of SO2 in the ground air layer, while the land cover types with minor damage (the remaining lichen-dominated vegetation) had rather low concentrations of sulphur dioxide in the ground air layer. The area of the land cover types with the greatest stress (industrial barren, barren and partly damaged vegetation) has increased in the period 1973–1988, and the degradation is carried out in a such manner that sensitive mountain and lichen vegetation formations have been transformed into a more barren-like environment. The increase in the emissions has also transferred the natural barrens which also consisted of some sparse vegetation into a complete barren with little vegetation left. Also the epilitic lichens and mosses on bare rocks and stones were also removed by the high concentrations of SO2. The land cover types with minor damage (with the remaining lichen-dominated vegetation) had rather low concentrations of the contaminants (SO2, Ni and S), while the partly damaged and damaged land cover types had the highest concentrations of the contaminants. An exception was the Ni and S concentrations found in class 11 Industrial barrens which were lower than expected. Associations between the degradation and the SO2 concentration in the air were also documented. The conclusion from this analysis is that the in-situ data support the observations of damaged vegetation and industrial barrens imaged by the Landsat satellites, especially in the surroundings of Nikel and Zapolyarnij.

Impulse Character of Radionuclide Concentration Changes in the Near Ground Layer of Air

Impulse Character of Radionuclide Concentration Changes in the Near Ground Layer of Air

On the assessment of sulphur deposition on forests growing over the areas of industrial impact

A method of calculation of sulphur deposition values on forests subjectto long-term industrial influence is presented. Investigations wereconducted in the vicinities of nickel smelters of Kola peninsula. Sulphurdioxide (SO2) is the major phytotoxicant emitted by theseenterprises. Depositions of sulphur were calculated on the basis of ground air layer pollution. To determine it a mathematical model was applied.Field surveys of forest ecosystems response to air contamination werecarried out and areas of different forest damage degree were identified.More than 4300 km2 of the territory of Kola peninsula isunder the impact of nickel enterprises. Average SO2concentration over the area of slight damage to forests is about 20µg/m3. It corresponds to the critical level proposed for forest ecosystems (UN ECE, 1993). Sulphur deposition over thearea of slight damage varies from 0.6 to 1.0 g/m2yr-1 for coniferous forests. For deciduous forests it isabout 1.0 g/m2 yr-1. These values are close totarget loads for highly sensitive ecosystems (Nilsson et al., 1991), but they exceed critical loads for the northern regions of Europe (Downing etal., 1993).