bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Summer temperature regulation of interannual variability in the carbon balance in an urban forest in the Megalopolis of Beijing, China
Authors: Liu Peng , Zhange Feng , Zha Tianshan , Jia Xin , Bourque Charles , Tian Yun , Bai Yujie , Yang Ruizhi , Li Xinhao , Yu Haiqun , Xie Jing , Mao Jun
Published: March 2024

Afforestation projects in urban areas of northern China have thrived over the past two to three decades. Urban forests play an important role in sequestrating carbon (C) at local to regional scales. However, understanding the current role of C-sink strength in urban forests is generally lacking. We used continuous eddy covariance and hydrometeorological data over the period 2012–2020 from an urban forest in Beijing, to assess the interannual variability (IAV) in C-fluxes and their key controlling factors. Over the study period, the urban forest was mostly a C-sink (mean net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was -195.28 ± 98.66 g C m-2 yr-1). Interannual variability in NEE was largely due to variation in ecosystem respiration (Re), more so than to gross ecosystem production (GEP). Interannual variation in annual GEP and Re were controlled to a large extent by summer soil water content (SWC). Since the effects of SWC on GEP and Re partially offset their individual responses, IAV in annual NEE was seen as being less influenced by summer SWC. Annual NEE was constrained by changes in summer air temperature (Ta). Residuals based on a Re-to-SWC regression exhibited significant decreases with increasing summer Ta, appreciably more than the residuals based on GEP-to-SWC regressions. This pointed to the importance of summer Ta in impacting annual NEE through the suppression of Re, rather than through GEP. Our analysis further revealed that Re was more strongly affected by drought than GEP. Long-lasting drought, greater than one month, was seen to impact GEP and Re more than short-term drought. Under future climate projections of more frequent heatwaves and prolonged periods of soil water shortages, C-sink-source relationships in urban forests are likely to shift. Our results underscore the need to adequately represent the inhibitive characteristics of temperature on stand-level C-fluxes in ecosystem models for improved prediction.
On the variation and trends of nitrogen isotope composition in tree rings: the potential for fingerprinting climate extremes and bushfires
Authors: succarie amal
Published: March 2024

Purpose Climate extremes, such as droughts and floods, have become intensified and more frequent due to intensifying climate change. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and warming-induced water limitation, as well as climate extremes, may alter carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in forest ecosystems. This provides a brief review of stable nitrogenisotopic composition (δ15N) in tree ring in relation to climate extremes and bushfires in context of N availability and losses in forest ecosystems.Material and methods Tree rings were extracted from four Pinus sylvestris and four Larix gmelinii sample trees, located in a boreal plantation forest of Mohe City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Tree rings were measured to obtain mean annual basal area increment (BAI), while tree ring δ15N and total N concentrations were measured on mass spectrometer at 3-year intervals. The tree ring δ15N data were related to possible climate extremes and bushfires. A brief review of the relevant literature was also undertaken to support our preliminary research findings.Results and discussion Globally, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and water limitations have led to a warmer-drier climate. This has also been associated with increases of climate extremes such as drought and floods as well as bushfires. These extremes have been recorded with detrimental effects on plant and soil structures within forest ecosystems and play an important role in regulating N availability and losses in forest ecosystems. Studies of N deposition within forest ecosystems using soil and plant δ15N also showed that N losses under various climate extremes can occur through direct changes in N cycling, such as increasing soil nitrification and denitrification or leaching. It is highlighted that tree rings δ15N has the potential to fingerprint the intensity and frequency of climate extremes and bushfires in the forest ecosystems, but more such tree ring δ15N research needs to be done in diversified forest ecosystems to confirm the potential of using tree ring δ15N for quantifying the frequency and intensity of climate extremes and bushfires at both regional and global scale.Conclusion The variation and trend of δ15N in the soil–plant-climate systems are closely linked to the N cycling in forest ecosystems, and tree ring δ15N has the great potential to fingerprint both intensity and frequency of climate extremes such as drought and floods as well as bushfires.
Machine learning elucidates the impact of short-term emission changes on air pollution in Beijing
Authors: Zhou Wei
Published: March 2024

The Chinese Spring Festival (CSF) is the most solemn traditional festival in China, and the substantial changes in anthropogenic activities in megacities provide a unique natural experiment to assess the influence of short-term emission changes on air quality. Here we applied a machine learning based random forest algorithm to six-year aerosol composition measurements in urban Beijing during the CSFs of 2012–2020 to quantify the relative contributions of meteorology and emission changes to air quality. Our results demonstrate large variabilities of air pollutants during the CSF due to the meteorological changes and holiday effect. By removing the meteorological effect, we found that the reduced emissions during CSF caused an average decrease of 5.1% for nonrefractory PM2.5 with chloride and primary organic aerosol being the largest (8.8–18.7%) while the changes in secondary species were small. The COVID-19 lockdown during 2020 led to additional reductions of primary species by 16.3–36.8%, yet increases in nitrate and secondary organic aerosol due to enhanced secondary production. Our study has a significant implication that reducing local traffic and cooking emissions is far from enough for mitigating air pollution in winter in megacities due to the nonlinear effect of secondary production and regional transport. A synergetic control of multiple precursors, e.g., NOx and ammonia, is of great importance to reduce secondary aerosol and improve air quality. 
Role of Arctic Warming on Extreme Cold Weather Conditions in North India
Authors: k s Athira , Attada Raju
Published: March 2024

Cold waves are characterized by a sharp drop in air temperatures that lasts for a few days, impacting various sectors of society, including human health, agriculture, and transportation. In India, the northern parts of the country witness the majority of cold wave events during boreal winter seasons starting from November to February. In this study, we identify the extreme cold wave events over north India during the period 1951-2020 and investigate their occurrence with rapid Arctic warming through the Quasi Resonant Amplification (QRA) fingerprint. Our findings reveal that a warm Arctic, double zonal jet formation, and amplification of (baroclinic) wave numbers 6 to 7 were observed during extreme cold waves of north India. The upper tropospheric double jet acts as waveguides, trapping the 6-7 wavenumbers, leading to the amplification of Rossby waves, resulting in the persistence of extreme cold wave conditions. Moreover, the sea ice retreat over the Barents-Kara Sea observed during the extreme cold wave events induced by the Arctic warming weakens the equator-to-pole temperature gradient. This leads to the meandering of the jetstream, and promotes the formation of atmospheric blocks. Consequently, an Omega block emerges over the Ural region leading to the advection of cold air from higher latitudes to the northern parts of the country. Hence our study concludes that the Arctic warming which is confirmed through the QRA fingerprint results in highly persistent and anomalous winter weather conditions in north India.Key words: Extreme cold wave, Quasi Resonant Amplification, Atmospheric blocking, Arctic warming
The preliminary assimilation of three-dimensional horizontal winds from geostationary hyperspectral infrared measurements
Authors: Yin Ruoying
Published: March 2024

Radiance measurements from a geostationary hyperspectral infrared sounder are essential for monitoring and forecasting the development of atmospheric mesoscale events. These observations not only provide detailed atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, but also provide information of three-dimensional (3D) horizontal winds. Using CMA-MESO and CMA-GFS separately, this study assimilates three-dimensional horizontal winds derived through tracking the moisture features from Geosynchronous Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) onboard Fengyun-4A and FengYun-4B satellites. And the influence on high impact weather forecast will be discussed. The results show that the assimilation of three-dimensional horizontal winds has a positive effect on typhoon track prediction, both regional and global assimilation system.
Elemental mobilisation and redistribution during the ferromanganese nodule formation in the sediments of Ganga plain, India
Authors: Kumar Arun , Sharma Divya , Tripathi Jayant Kumar
Published: March 2024

Formation of ferromanganese nodules (FMNs) is an important pedogenic process which is commonly observed in the Ganga alluvium. We have studied geochemistry of the host alluvium and FMNs from the eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. The FMNs were categorized in three sizes (>5.6mm, 5.6 to 2mm, and 2 to 0.5mm). The major and trace elements present in the sediments and FMNs of three size ranges were analysed using XRF and ICP-OES. The geochemical composition of the sediments and FMNs were compared with the geochemical values of the Upper Continental Crust (UCC). The enrichment factor (EF) of the analysed elements were calculated for both the host sediments and the FMNs. Additionally, the Chemical index of weathering (CIA) was calculated to quantify the extent of chemical weathering of the sediments and FMNs in the alluvium. The sediments and FMNs both showed moderate chemical weathering. We propose that the weathering of aluminosilicate stages may have given Fe, Mn, and related trace elements for the nodule formation. Prolonged dry spells and monsoonal wet seasons in the Ganga plain region may be key contributors to the weathering, mobilization, precipitation, and redistribution of the Fe and Mn phases in nodules. Certain elements, such as Pb and Cr, which are considered to be harmful to the environment got sequestered in FMNs. This helped immobilization of these contaminants. Whereas, elements like P, Co, Zn, and Cu were also got sequestered during the formation of FMNs. Therefore, it has also impacted soil nutrient availability.
Unusually long path length for a nearly scatter-free solar particle event observed by Solar Orbiter at 0.43 au
Authors: Wimmer-Schweingruber Robert F. , Yang Liu , Kollhoff Alexander , Gomez-Herrero Raúl , Rodriguez-Pacheco Javier , Espinosa Francisco , Cernuda Ignacio , Ho George C. , Mason Glenn M. , Warmuth Alexander , Owen Christopher J, , Rodriguez Luciano , Shukhobodskaia Daria , Berger Lars , Kühl Patrick , Heber Bernd , Wang Linghua , Bucik Radoslav , Malandraki Olga
Published: March 2024

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) are bound to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) by the Lorentz force. The expansion of the IMF close to the Sun focuses the particle pitch-angle distribution, and scattering counteracts this focusing. Solar Orbiter observed an unusual solar particle event on 9 April 2022 when it was at 0.43 astronomical units (au) from the Sun. The inferred IMF along which the SEPs traveled was about three times longer than the nominal length of the Parker spiral.Nevertheless, the pitch-angle distribution of the particles of this event is highly anisotropic, and the electrons and ions appear to be streaming along the same IMF structures. The angular width of the streaming population is estimated to be approximately 30 degrees. The highly anisotropic ion beam was observed for more than 12 h. This may be due to the low level of fluctuations in the IMF, which in turn is very probably due to this event being inside an interplanetary coronal mass ejection. The slow and small rotation in the IMF suggests a flux-rope structure. Small flux dropouts are associated with very small changes in pitch angle, which may be explained by different flux tubes connecting to different locations in the flare region. The unusually long path length along which the electrons and ions have propagated virtually scatter-free together with the short-term flux dropouts offer excellent opportunities to study the transport of SEPs within interplanetary structures. The 9 April 2022 solar particle event offers an especially rich number of unique observations that can be used to limit SEP transport models.
FarZone4IT: A new software for the calculation of far–zone effects for spherical integral
Authors: Pitonak Martin , Trnka Petr , Belinger Jiri , Novák Pavel , Sprlak Michal
Published: March 2024

Integral transformations are a useful mathematical apparatus for modelling the gravitational field. They represent the mathematical basis for the formulation of integral estimators of gravity field values, including error propagation. The theoretical and practical aspects of integral transformations traditionally used for the calculation of geoid/quasi-geoid heights in geodesy, such as Stokes’ and Hotine’s integral transformations, have already been studied. However, theoretical and practical concepts regarding other integral transformations, including non-isotropic (azimuth-dependent) transformations, have not yet been explored. One of the basic assumptions of integral transformations is global data coverage. However, the availability of ground measurements is frequently limited. In practice, the global integral is divided into two complementary regions, namely the near and far zones. Non-negligible systematic effects of data in the far zone require accurate evaluation. For this purpose, a new software library entitled FarZone4IT is being created in the MATLAB environment to calculate far-zone effects in integral transformations for gravitational potential gradients up to the third order. The library contains scripts for the calculation of integral kernels, error kernels, truncation error coefficients, and far zone effects for a selected set of input parameters. This contribution concerns the implementation of theoretical equations defining far zone effects and the subsequent numerical testing of the library functionality. Closed-loop tests were carried out using gravitational potential functionals generated from a synthetic model of the Earth's gravity field.
The resilience of Tethyan planktonic and benthic calcifying algae to Early Cretaceous perturbations: comparison between the Valanginian Weissert Event and the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a
Authors: Erba Elisabetta , Parente Mariano
Published: March 2024

During the Cretaceous, the Berriasian-Aptian interval witnessed a transition from a relatively cool climate with intermittent polar ice to a greenhouse state that persisted throughout the Late Cretaceous. These palaeoclimatic changes were associated with the construction of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), which significantly perturbed the ocean-atmosphere system by introducing large amounts of CO2, trace metals, and micronutrients, thereby impacting the biosphere. Our study focused on the Tethyan Ocean during the Early Cretaceous, examining the resilience of planktonic and shallow-water benthic calcifying algae to environmental changes. We observed their adaptation, recovery dynamics, and the influence of palaeoCO2 levels on their resilience. Calcification patterns of calcareous nannoplankton served as a proxy for ecological and engineering resilience. While calcareous nannoplankton as a whole showed high resistance, individual taxa exhibited varying levels of resilience. Nannoconids, particularly narrow-canal ones, were highly sensitive and had low resistance. In contrast, Watznaueria barnesiae showed the least sensitivity and highest resistance, likely due to its adaptive strategies and long lifespan. Nannoplankton calcification recovery (engineering resilience) from the Weissert Event took approximately 3 million years. After OAE1a, instead, nannoplankton did not return to pre-perturbation conditions. In shallow-water platforms, Dasycladales, aragonitic benthic calcifiers, exhibited lower resilience compared to nannofossils. They experienced a decline in species diversity across both the Weissert Event and the OAE 1a, which could indicate higher sensitivity to reduced carbonate saturation under high pCO2 conditions. After the Valanginian Weissert Event, Dasycladales were able to recover, albeit they show a much lower engineering resilience compared to nannoconids, as it took nearly 10 million years to revert to pre-disturbance diversity. The OAE 1a represented a more intense perturbation: their decrease of species diversity was much more drastic and permanent, and Dasycladales were unable to recover, losing their dominant role as carbonate platform biocalcifiers for the remainder of the Cretaceous. Our study provides an assessment of the resilience of Tethyan phytoplanktonic and shallow-water benthic calcifying algae to disturbances during the Early Cretaceous, with implications for tipping points associated with palaeo-CO2 levels. The differential responses in terms of timing and magnitude and the recovery dynamics contribute to the understanding of the potential impacts of current and future global changes on the resilience of marine ecosystems and the thresholds that may lead to ecological crises.
Overview of distributed fibre-optic sensing in geophysical applications.
Authors: Hartog Arthur
Published: March 2024

The technology of distributed fibre-optic sensors (DFOS) has developed over more than four decades, initially confined to temperature sensing, which remains a valuable tool. In the last 15 years, however, the addition of distributed vibration/acoustic sensing has vastly increased the use of DFOS in geophysical applications.The combination of acoustic, temperature and static strain measurement has provided a deeper insight in the subterranean and subsea realms, ranging from hydrocarbon and geothermal energy production, earthquake monitoring to oceanography and glaciology. Spare or disused capacity on long-distance fibre-optic communications links has opened up many opportunities for sensing the environment, especially in oceanography. Techniques developed for oil and gas exploration and production have led to reliable methods for conveying optical fibres in the very hostile found in boreholes and this has extended the applications of DFOS to understanding tectonic movements and also to decarbonising the energy supply industry, e.g. in carbon sequestration and geothermal production.The talk will provide a brief overview of the instrumentation used for DFOS and it will discuss some of the key applications in geophysics. It will also examine some of the untapped opportunities and how technological improvements might enable these to be realised.  
Modeling atmospheric transport of cosmogenic radionuclide ¹⁰Be using GEOS-Chem 14.1.1 and ECHAM6.3-HAM2.3: implications for solar and geomagnetic reconstructions
Authors: Zheng Minjie , Adolphi Florian , Ferrachat Sylvaine , Mekhaldi Florian , Lu Zhengyao , Nilsson Andreas , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: March 2024

A prerequisite to applying 10Be in natural archives for solar and geomagnetic reconstructions is to know how 10Be deposition reflects atmospheric production changes. However, this relationship remains debated. To address this, we use two state-of-the-art global models GEOS-Chem and ECHAM6.3-HAM2.3 with the latest beryllium production model. During solar modulation, both models suggest that 10Be deposition reacts proportionally to global production changes, with minor latitudinal deposition biases (
An InSAR-GNSS Velocity Field for Iran
Authors: Elliott John , Watson Andrew , Lazecky Milan , Maghsoudi Yasser , McGrath Jack , Payne Jessica
Published: March 2024

We present average ground-surface velocities and strain rates for the 1.7 million square km area of Iran, from the joint inversion of InSAR-derived displacements and GNSS data. We generate interferograms from seven years of Sentinel-1 radar acquisitions, correct for tropospheric noise using the GACOS system, estimate average velocities using LiCSBAS time-series analysis, tie this into a Eurasia-fixed reference frame, and perform a decomposition to estimate East and Vertical velocities at 500 m spacing. Our InSAR-GNSS velocity fields reveal predominantly diffuse crustal deformation, with localised interseismic strain accumulation along the North Tabriz, Main Kopet Dagh, Main Recent, Sharoud, and Doruneh faults. We observe signals associated with recent groundwater subsidence, co- and postseismic deformation, active salt diaprism, and sediment motion. We derive high-resolution strain rate estimates on a country- and fault-scale, and discuss the difficulties of mapping diffuse strain rates in areas with abundant non-tectonic and anthropogenic signals.
Water-induced mantle overturns and the origins of Archean cratons
Authors: Wu1 Zhongqing
Published: March 2024

Deep Space Exploration Laboratory / School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.2Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.3Department of Geology, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.* Corresponding author: wuzq10@ustc.edu.cn.The origins of the Archean cratons were most important events in the early Earth and crucial for understanding how the early Earth worked. The mechanisms for the origins of the Archean cratons remain unclear. It is widely accepted that Archean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) plutons were derived from hydrous mafic magmas in the garnet/ amphibole stability field. Although the subduction can bring water to the mantle to produce granitic magma, the island Arc Model for the origin of continents meets fundamental challenges. The growing evidences support the plume-driven oceanic plateau models for the origin of continents. However, the lower parts of the oceanic plateau have been thought to be dry. How to generate the hydrous meta-basalt at the base of the oceanic plateau remain an open question.Here we show that the Archean cratons resulted from the evolution of the hydrous magma ocean (Wu et al., 2023). The whole-mantle magma ocean created by the moon-forming giant impact likely evolved into an outer magma ocean and a basal magma ocean because the magma ocean would initially crystallize in the mid mantle and the basal magma ocean is denser than the overlying solid mantle. The basal MO at the beginning should contain a certain amount of water since extensive studies suggest substantial accretion of water-rich bodies during core formation. The major lower-mantle minerals have limited water storage capacity. Therefore, with progressive crystallization, the basal magma ocean becomes increasingly enriched in water. The basal magma ocean eventually becomes gravitationally unstable because of the enrichment of water. The triggered massive mantle overturns transported a large amount of water upward to the shallow part of the Earth and resulted in the major pulses of the crust and thick SCLM generations. The model can account for many observations including the source of water needed for generation of the continental crust, the major pulse of crustal growth around the end of the Archean, why the TTG and thick SCLM basically occurred in the Archean, and why only the Earth among inner planets was covered with the continental crust. Wu, Z., Song, J., Zhao, G., & Pan, Z. (2023). Water-induced mantle overturns leading to the origins of Archean continents and subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2023GL105178. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105178
Role of thin clouds in modulating the cloud radiative effect of marine low clouds
Authors: Choudhury Goutam , Goren Tom
Published: March 2024

The cloud radiative effect (CRE) of low-level marine clouds has traditionally been expressed primarily as a linear function of the cloud cover. However, recent studies have revealed a substantial change in CRE even at a constant cloud cover. This change is attributed to variations in cloud morphology governed by the horizontal and vertical distribution of cloud water. A unique feature of these morphologies, especially for low marine clouds, is the occurrence of distinct quantities of optically thin clouds. Understanding the impact of these thin clouds on low-level marine CRE is crucial for two reasons. First, spaceborne studies indicate a prevalent occurrence of thin clouds in areas characterized by peak low-level cloud cover. Second, the relationship between thin clouds and CRE may differ from that of their optically thicker counterparts due to their semitransparency to incoming shortwave and outgoing longwave radiations. This study investigates the influence of thin clouds on the CRE of low-level clouds over the Southeast Pacific Ocean using six years of concurrent measurements from MODIS and CERES spaceborne sensors. The results show a substantial influence of thin clouds on the shortwave and longwave components of CRE, as well as the balance them. The findings emphasize the need for a more comprehensive representation of thin clouds and, therefore, cloud morphology in climate models.
The response of Martian photoelectron boundary to the 2018 global dust storm
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Wei Yong , Fan Kai
Published: March 2024

Extensive research efforts have revealed that the Martian dust storms can perturb the upper atmospheric condition and as a consequence, enhance plasma density and photoelectron flux in the ionosphere. However, previous observational studies of the Martian dust storm impacts have been restricted to regions below 400 km, which limits our understanding of the Martian dust storm effects in the upper ionosphere and magnetosphere. Here, based on the suprathermal electron measurements made by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, we identify with an automatic procedure the occurrences of all photoelectron boundary (PEB) crossings at solar zenith angle below 120° (with a dust-free median altitude of about 600 km). Using the dayside PEB as a proxy of the upper ionospheric and magnetospheric condition, we analyze the variations of the PEB altitude during the 2018 global dust storm (GDS) of Mars Year 34 (MY34) and compare them with the period in MY33 when there was no global dust storm. We conclude that the column dust optical depth (CDOD) emerges as one of the main driving factors for PEB altitude variations during the GDS. Our analysis implies that the GDS can affect the Martian upper atmosphere and ionosphere over considerable distances and extended time scales.
The modest influence of internal factors on autumn phenology compared to climate factors 
Authors: Ren Shilong ,   Global change and plant phenology
Published: March 2024

Autumn phenology plays a vital role in regulating the length of growing season and carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems. Under global climate change, delayed autumn phenology has been widely reported, but as to the potential drivers and mechanisms, it is are still unclear, especially the impact magnitude and direction of internal factors. In this study, based on satellite-derived the end of growing season (EOS) and photosynthetic data over the Northern Hemisphere (>30° N) from 1982 to 2014, we comprehensively investigated the impacts of developmental and environmental factors on EOS and compared their relative effects across different climate zones and vegetation types. We found the magnitude of EOS shift was highly heterogeneous across climate zones and vegetation types. It delayed more in humid regions than in drought regions. The response of EOS to temperature and precipitation in warm-dry areas was opposite to that in other areas. Spring phenology had an important legacy effect on EOS. But no direct sink limitation effect of growing season photosynthesis on autumn phenology was detected in any climate zone or vegetation type, as reported in some other field observations. While internal factors played a certain role in modulating EOS, their total impact was lower than the influence of temperature and precipitation in most regions and vegetation types. Our findings emphasize the complexity of factors influencing EOS, and call for elaborate investigation on the driving mechanisms of autumn phenology at different scales and under different climate backgrounds.
Consistency of multiple Aerosol Optical Depth retrievals from satellite data
Authors: Dermann Diana , Stöffelmair Ulrike , Popp Thomas
Published: March 2024

This study addresses the critical issue of accurately measuring Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from satellite data, given the significant impact of aerosols on climate. Aerosols and clouds contribute the largest uncertainty to Earth's radiative forcing estimates, as stated by the IPCC. The study utilizes data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service and focuses on AOD retrieval using Dual-View Instruments (ATSR2, AATSR, SLSTR) and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), specifically for Dust AOD.Due to the under-determined nature of the AOD retrieval process, assumptions about aerosol properties and Earth's surface are necessary. Furthermore, cloud masking needs to be done prior to the retrieval since even spurious cloud contamination can lead to significant AOD errors. Consistency among different algorithms and instruments is crucial for reliable conclusions. Analyzing data from Dual-View Instruments and IASI, the research examines the varying levels of consistency among different algorithms.  For these metrics, 5x5° global maps are provided for each metric. Defining a minimal threshold for each of the 4 metrics, an overall count of fulfilled consistency criteria (ranging from 0 to 4) is calculated as ultimate quantity.  Low consistency (total number of fulfilled criteria below 3) is then an indicator for a higher level of difficulty in retrieving AOD, while areas with high consistency (3 or 4) are considered more reliable. Such a consistency map helps aerosol retrieval experts to focus critical examination of their algorithms while research using the satellite aerosol data records can base their analysis on well-founded quality statements. It is important to point out that there is no perfect algorithm to this day since each of them has their strengths and weaknesses under specific conditions.
Eco-STEAM Challenge Green Hotel
Authors: Borovnica Danilo , Grujic Miroslav
Published: March 2024

It is important to study climate change from the earliest school days. It is also a great opportunity for a STEM approach to learning and learning science through hands-on experiences. In this article, we will present some of our experiences in working with students.With our students we participated in the Eco-STEAM Challenge together with 11 other schools from Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.This competition, within the Scientik network, aimed to raise awareness about climate change and possible mitigation measures.In the course of a month, students regularly measured the temperature and humidity of the air around our school in four selected places. Using the Arduino set, we made a temperature and air humidity device. We later processed the obtained data and made a proposal for improving the school environment in order to mitigate at least a little the effect of climate change in our micro environment.Our school is located in the center and is surrounded on three sides by busy streets.During April, the students also conducted an experiment testing the air quality in different parts of the school yard. They came to the conclusion that the air is most polluted in the part of the park that is next to the main street and the large parking lot.Knowing that the air is not heated directly by the sun's rays, but rather by the foundation, which later emits the energy it has absorbed, we realize that it is important what materials we are surrounded by. Asphalt, concrete, brick are among those that heat the air the most. Guided by that knowledge, we came up with the idea of how to adjust our space (school yard) and thereby reduce heating, but also enable other species to come and live in our environment.By measuring during the project, we came to the conclusion that in some days, in addition to high temperatures, we also had extremely low humidity. Plants have the effect of increasing air humidity, so our proposal for adjusting the yard will also take this into account.We would make a natural environment (hotel) for insects out of metal construction and wood. In this way, we will encourage the presence of insects for which our climate is a natural habitat and strengthen urban biodiversity.That's how the whole project got the name "Hotel in our school for insects is cool".We had the opportunity to share our experience with colleagues from Serbia, Turkey and Portugal within the project Learn and Experience Science Together Online (lestoproject.com) where we created learning scenarios. One of the scenarios was created precisely on the topic of global warming.
QUARTETnary - the card game about the geological time scale: crowdfunding, manufacturing, and educational value 
Authors: van Zelst Iris , Peskens Ronnie , Perez-Diaz Lucia
Published: March 2024

QUARTETnary is an educational card game about the geological time scale. Consisting of 60 beautifully illustrated and colourful cards, QUARTETnary has players explore all the important events in the Earth’s history: from dinosaurs to humans and from the formation of the Alps to the formation of the Himalayas. Suitable for ages 8 and up, gameplay follows that of the classic card game ‘quartets’, where players aim to collect sets of four cards belonging to a specific group (in this case, a certain geological time unit). At the end of the game, the player with the most complete geological time line (i.e., the most quartets) wins the game! Here, we present the design of the fully finished card game (including prototypes to play at the Geoscience Game Night at EGU!) and our journey to get the game manufactured. Specifically, we will touch upon the following:setting up our own company ‘The Silly Scientist’ to publish the game 
finding and selecting a printer 
playtesting the game (how to make a prototype?) and the design changes to the cards as a result of playtesting 
the preparation of and results from our crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter 
distribution and shipping of QUARTETnary to Kickstarter backers and going towards retail
To assess the educational benefits of QUARTETnary, we also present preliminary results from surveys filled in by people before and after playing QUARTETnary. The surveys assess players’ knowledge of the geological time scale and the history of the Earth through both self-assessment (“How much do you know about Earth’s history?”) and objective questions testing knowledge of specific events (“Which geological time period(s) ended with a major mass extinction?”) and the order of events (“What happened in the same time period during which the Sahara was formed?”). Hence, through the surveys we are able to assess if and how a player’s knowledge on the history of the Earth improves through playing QUARTETnary. In addition, we gather subjective feedback through the surveys on what players think of QUARTETnary both in terms of being fun to play and as an educational tool. The subset of results shown here stem from playtesting QUARTETnary with colleagues and friends with a university and Earth science / astronomy background who generally played the game once between filling in the before and after surveys. Future data from the Kickstarter backers should give a more complete overview of the educational value of QUARTETnary with more diversity in (scholarly) backgrounds and the amounts of times QUARTETnary was played between surveys. 
Exploring early seismo-ionospheric signs preceding the February 6, 2023, Turkey earthquake (Mw 7.8): Preliminary results
Authors: Tachema Abdennasser
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the early seismo-ionospheric signals preceding the 7.8 magnitude Turkey earthquake sequence on February 6, 2023. The main shock struck at 01:17:35 UTC in Şehitkamil, Gaziantep in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria. About nine hours later, a strong 7.5 magnitude aftershock occurred to the northeast of the first main quake.The present work is based on the analysis of the ionospheric behavior in response to these successive major earthquakes, using space-based GPS/GNSS (Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite Systems) data. Employing geodetic data derived from both Turkish national (TUSAGA) and international (IGS) permanent receivers, we generated a local ionospheric map covering the seismogenic zone of southern Turkey. The aim is to reconstruct the time series of ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) and discern any potential anomalies in this signal. The diurnal variation of the ionospheric TEC shows homogeneity in the spatiotemporal pattern of the GNSS_TEC signal, except for January 12, 2023. At noon on this day, the ionospheric TEC reaches its maximum value (98.41 TECu), exceeding 250% of the mean value in the temporal series. This anomalous behavior prompted application of a robust statistical approach to exclude outliers, combined with wavelet transform analysis to capture the time-frequency characteristics of the ionospheric responses. These steps validated the results, indicating a potential seismic influence on the ionosphere approximately three weeks before the mainshock.This research represents an important step to understanding seismo-ionospheric interactions, highlighting the complex relationship between crustal motions and ionospheric dynamics. Anomalies identified in the ionosphere prior to the major seismic event in Turkey suggest that the approach developed could be promising for predicting earthquakes. Further validation and collaboration are essential to refine these results and advance seismic risk assessment.Keywords: 2023 Turkey earthquake, GPS/GNSS-TEC data, Pre-earthquake ionospheric anomaly, Crustal-Ionospheric Synergy.
Groundwater flow components and environmental problems in a groundwater flow system, center-west Mexico
Authors: Olea Olea Selene , Llanos Solis Aurora Guadalupe , Eric Morales-Casique , Priscila Medina-Ortega , Felipe Armas Vargas , Salgado Albiter Ariadna Camila , Sierra García Betsabé Atalía , Ramírez González Lorena
Published: March 2024

The Cuitzeo groundwater flow system in central Mexico is facing challenges due to intensive groundwater extraction, nitrate pollution, and a decline in groundwater levels. To understand the processes underlying these environmental impacts, we used compiled data from 2013 and employed cluster analysis to identify distinct groups. Four groups were identified based on flow trajectories, incorporating geological information, structural features, and hydrochemical diagrams such as Piper, Gibbs, and Mifflin.The determined flow trajectories or components consist of local, intermediate, and two regional components. The spatial distribution of these flow components is associated with recharge areas and structural features, displaying a non-sequential evolution to groundwater flow direction.This work presents preliminary findings from the analysis of environmental problems such as nitrates and a decrease in groundwater levels, contributing to an enhanced understanding of the origins of these impacts and offering insights for future solutions.
Settlement and Landslide Risk Analysis of Temporary Soil Dump Based on InSAR and Continuous Medium Model
Authors: Qin Xiaoqiong , Huang Yuanjun , Xie Linfu , Shi Xuguo , Wang Chisheng
Published: March 2024

The planned soil dumping in Shenzhen has been insufficient for a long time, and improper disposal of excess soil would pose significant safety hazards such as soil settlement and landslides. Therefore, analyzing the causes and potential impacts of soil dumping disasters is crucial for effective risk prevention and control. Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is an effective land surface deformation monitoring technology with unique advantages, including low costs, large-scale implementation potential, and a high coherence level in the settlement analysis of soil dumps without vegetation.This study investigated a soil dump with the highest risk potential in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone, processing 91 Sentinel-1 images from 2019 to 2022 for deformation monitoring. An improved Small Baseline Subset-InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) method was utilized to analyze the soil dump’s time-series deformation, and multi-source remote sensing data were used for auxiliary interpretation. The experimental results indicate that rainfall, high temperature, and construction vibrations may cause instability of the soil dump. When the monthly rainfall is 200 mm/month and the temperature is 30℃, the meteorological conditions significantly impact the soil dump’s stability. In addition, vegetation and drainage procedures can help resist the impact of high temperatures and rainfall. Activities such as slope excavation, earthwork filling, and gravel production are also the main causes of settlement fluctuation in the soil yard. However, with artificial excavation, unloading, and comprehensive management, the soil dump’s LOS velocity decreases by 10% to 45%.The Chishi soil dump remains stable during the original period and does not show a subsidence trend until the soil dump is formed. The overall settlement rate is around -33.3mm/yr, and most severe settlement occurs near the north slope with a maximum deformation rate of about -51mm/yr. The closer to the landfill’s center, the greater the soil thickness and the more severe the settlement. Moreover, with similar soil thicknesses, the settlement rate on the slope is higher than that at the top of the soil dump.The limit equilibrium analysis of the soil dump indicates a risk of instability under continuous heavy rainfall. Therefore, a depth-integrated continuous medium model was introduced to simulate the surface process and analyze the potential landslide risk. The landslide simulation results demonstrate that a landslide will likely occur, harm personnel, and damage the buildings on the north side of the soil dump when it is saturated (≥ 0.50). This research can provide case references for the analysis, interpretation, disaster prevention, and control evaluation of similar soil dumps. 
Intense fluid overpressure in the eastern slope of the Yinggehai Basin, South China Sea
Authors: Yang Baibing , Meng Qingfeng , Hao Fang
Published: March 2024

The gas-bearing Yinggehai Basin in the northern South China Sea is characterized by high pressure and temperature conditions. The Miocene strata in the eastern slope exhibit intense overpressure with a pressure coefficient exceeding 2.2. Understanding the characteristics of overpressure and clarifying its causes are very important for natural gas exploration and development in reservoirs with intense overpressure. This study identifies and characterizes the pressure structure in the eastern slope of Yinggehai Basin by utilizing formation pressure data from formation tests (MDT) and drill pipe tests (DST) in combination with conventional logging data (acoustic wave, density, and resistivity). The pressure distribution exhibits a distinct three-stage ladder structure. Overpressure initiates in the Lower Pliocene Yinggehai Formation, with a pressure coefficient of 1.2. The formation pressure increases sharply in the underlying Upper Miocene strata (1st member of the Huangliu Formation), with a pressure coefficient ranging from 1.4 to 1.8. The pressure coefficient increases to between 2.1 and 2.3 in the 2nd member of the Huangliu Formation.We utilized the logging curve combination method, Bowers effective stress method, and Bowers acoustic-density crossplot method to differentiate between two types of overpressure origins: loading and unloading type, and further evaluated their contribution rate to overpressure. Loading overpressure primarily accounts for the overpressure observed in the Yinggehai Formation, contributing to pore pressure with a range from 51% to 93%. In contrast, the overpressure in the Huangliu Formation is predominantly of the unloading type, contributing to pore pressure from 35% to 46%. Additionally, we analyzed the genetic mechanism of overpressure, utilizing lithology, subsidence rate, organic matter maturity, and seismic attribute data. We find that the loading overpressure in the Yinggehai Formation is attributed to unbalanced compaction of mudstone due to rapid sedimentation (sedimentation rate > 500m/ Ma). The unloading intense overpressure in the Miocene strata is most likely caused by the vertical transmission of overpressured fluid along faults and fractures. Our findings provide implications for complex pressure structure, overpressure evaluation, and genetic mechanisms in sedimentary basins.
Multi-level magma storage and continuous mafic recharge controlling explosive activity in Raung volcano, Indonesia: Evidence from thermobarometric estimate
Authors: Moktikanana Mradipta Lintang Alifcanta , Ohba Tsukasa , Harijoko Agung , Wibowo Haryo Edi
Published: March 2024

The study of magma plumbing system underneath a volcano is important to understand eruption triggers, estimate the probability of another eruption, and predict future eruptive behavior. Raung Volcano, located in East Java, Indonesia, is a very active volcano with a long-established basaltic to dacitic magma system. The most recent activity in 2022 was dominated by andesitic Strombolian explosions. However, several Plinian eruptions in the VEI-4 to VEI-5 scale had been documented in both andesite and dacite composition. Despite its variety of eruptive behaviors and potential hazards, Raung magma plumbing system is poorly understood. We investigate the depth and temperature of magma storage underneath Raung volcano by applying several thermobarometer models, including clinopyroxene-melt thermobarometry, orthopyroxene-melt thermobarometry, plagioclase-melt thermobarometry, and olivine-melt thermometry. Our findings reveal that there are five levels of crystallization below Raung from the upper crust to the crust-mantle boundary, at depths of 1.5 – 11 km, 11 – 15 km, 15 – 22 km, 18 – 26 km, and 26 – 30 km. These depths correspond to the major lithological boundary of East Java's sediment thickness (10 – 15 km), crust thickness (10 – 25 km), and Moho depth (25 – 39 km). This suggests that Raung magma storage is controlled by crustal structure. Textural features such as mantled pyroxene, sieved plagioclase, and oscillatory zoned crystals indicate a significant rate of continuous hotter, mafic magma recharge, supplying heat and volatiles into shallower reservoir. These features imply that multi-level magma storage and highly dynamic magma plumbing system play major roles in triggering Raung explosive eruption. Better understanding of Raung complex magma system is important for forecasting the timing and explosivity of potential eruptions, as well as improving long-term hazard mitigation.