N. V. Pankratova

Gaseous admixtures in the atmosphere over Moscow during the 2010 summer

In the summer of 2010, the Moscow megacity during two months was within the zone of action of a blocking anticyclone. The accumulation of pollutants in a closed air mass sharply changed the surface air quality. At the end of July-the first half of August, the extreme situation became even more complicated, because the air from regions of turf and grass fires came into Moscow. According to measurement data of the Moscow IAP RAS station, the maximal hourly mean concentrations of chemically active gases NO, NO2, CO, O3, and SO2 were 175.9, 217.4, 15.8, 134.2, and 15.2 ppb, respectively. For NO2 and CO, these values are largest over the entire decadal period of observations at the station and many times exceed the MPC level (see table). The concentrations of greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, and nonmethane hydrocarbons also sharply increased. Analysis of the variability of gas contents in the surface air and in the atmospheric boundary layer showed a close relation between extreme changes in the atmospheric composition and its vertical stratification.

Estimates of carbon monoxide emissions from wildfires in northern Eurasia for airquality assessment and climate modeling

The emissions from fires in the boreal zone of northern Eurasia significantly contribute to the global emissions of greenhouse gases, their precursors, and aerosols. These emissions are an important component of the global carbon balance, and they significantly affect both seasonal and long-term variations in the chemical composition and radiation properties of the atmosphere on both regional and global scales. The atmospheric emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) from biomass burning have systematically been estimated for the entire territory of northern Eurasia over the period of 2000–2008 on the basis of satellite (MODIS MCD45A1) data on burned vegetation and the Seiler-Crutzen emission model with consideration for both regional and seasonal features. On the whole, for Russia, the annual emissions of CO from biomass burning ranged from 10.6 to 88.2 Mt/y over the indicated period. Depending on fire activity, the atmospheric emissions of CO from natural fires and agricultural work may yield from 25 to 200% of the total technogenic emissions according to the EDGAR-2000 model. In this case, the dominant contribution is made by boreal forest fires (8–57 Mt/y), whose portion amounts to 63–76% of the total emissions from biomass burning. This relatively short observational series does not allow one to reliably estimate long-term variations; however, on the whole, a stable increase in burned areas has been observed in forest, steppe, and agricultural regions over the last decade. Our analysis suggests significant spatial and seasonal variations in the large-scale fields of fire emissions, which are determined by the physical, geographic, and climatic features of individual regions. The calculated fields of emissions can be used in transport-chemical models, studies of the regional transport and quality of air, and climate models.

Gas composition of the surface air in Moscow during the extreme summer of 2010

In summer 2010, anomalously hot weather occurred in the European part of Russia. It was caused by a blocking anticyclone of an unusually high intensity. West winds were stopped in the whole column of the troposphere, from the Earths surface up to the lower stratosphere, for two months. During this entire period, the concentration of gaseous and aerosol pol� lutants grew in the nearsurface air. In the end of July and the first half of August, this extreme situation become even more complicated due to the arrival of air masses from the areas of forest, peat, and grass fires to Moscow. By the measurements data from the station of the Institute of Physics of the Atmosphere, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPA RAS), the concentrations of reactive gases NO, NO 2 , CO, and O 3 exceeded both the average daily and the general maximum permissi� ble concentration (MPC). The concentrations of greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, and other hydrocarbons were also excessive. Analysis of variation in gas content in the nearsurface air and in the atmospheric bound� ary layer has shown a close dependence on vertical stratification of the atmosphere. The blocking anticyclone above the European part of Russia recorded in summer 2010 significantly exceeded all the previously recorded ones in its dura� tion. According to (1), the duration of summer block� ing anticyclones in the Northern and Southern Hemi� spheres has not exceeded three weeks for the last forty years, while the longest periods of anticyclonic weather in winter have not lasted more than a month. Anomalies in the frequency and intensity of atmo� spheric blockings were recorded most often in the years of El Nino/La Nina phenomenon, including 2010 (see, for instance, (2)). The formed hot weather lead to the outbreak of numerous forest and peat wildfires. In total, 29 000 wild� fires were recorded in summer 2010 with a total burned area of 1.2 million ha (3). And though the wildfire intensity in 2010 was weaker than in some other years (e.g., 40 000 wildfires with a total burned area of about 1.5 million ha were recorded in 1972; 28 000 wildfires of 4.2 million ha, in 1998; 29 000 wildfires of 2.4 mil� lion ha, in 2009), the economic, ecological, and social consequences were more significant. The most important consequence of the emer� gency situation that appeared in summer 2010 was change in the chemical composition of the atmo� sphere above the European territory of Russia and West Siberia. Cities and settlements were covered with a dense haze when they happened to be in smoke trails of forest and peat wildfires. The presence of obviously extreme quantities of aerosols in the nearsurface air caused extreme concern and a demand for introduc� tion of required protective activities (3). No less nega� tive an effect on peoples health and ecosystems was made by a significant change in gas composition of the atmosphere.

Ozone and nitric oxides in the surface air over northern Eurasia according to observational data obtained in TROICA experiments

The results of the 1995–2008 observations of the concentrations of ozone and nitric oxides in the surface air over the Trans-Siberian Railway using a mobile laboratory (the TROICA experiments) are analyzed. The features of the spatial distribution and time variability of these gases over the continent within the latitudinal belt 48°–58° N are revealed individually for polluted and background conditions. The characteristic features of their distribution are a decrease in the concentration of nitric oxides and an increase in the concentration of ozone in an eastward direction. On the whole, the process of photochemical ozone formation over the territory of Siberia is slow. Noticeable increases in the concentration of ozone are associated with both forest and steppe fires and with the transboundary transport of pollution from the countries of eastern Asia. The dry precipitation of trace gases plays a significantly larger role in Siberia than in coastal and high-altitude unpolluted regions due to powerful and long temperature inversions.

CHANGES IN TRENDS OF ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION OVER URBAN AND BACKGROUND REGIONS OF EURASIA: ESTIMATES BASED ON SPECTROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS

The analysis of the CO and CH4 total column (TC) as well as aerosol optical depth (AOD) data in urban and background regions of Eurasia for different seasons and periods from 1998 to 2016 years is presented. Trends estimates based on longterm spectroscopic datasets of OIAP RAS (Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences) for stations Moscow, Zvenigorod (ZSS, Moscow province), Zotino (ZOTTO, Central Siberia), Beijing (joint site of OIAP RAS and IAP CAS (Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)), SPbSU stations Peterhof and NDACC stations located in Eurasia were compared between themselves and with similar assessments obtained from satellite data. Significant decrease of anthropogenic CO in megacities Moscow (3.5±2.2%/yr) and Beijing (1.4±1.4%/yr) in autumn months of 1998−2016 were found according ground-based spectroscopic observations. In spite of total anthropogenic CO emissions decrease (for Europe and China) and absence of growth of wild-fires emissions in 2007−2016 we found that CO TC in background regions of Northern Eurasia has stabilized or increased in summer and autumn months of 2007−2016. Decrease of AOD over Central and Southern Europe and over China (1−5%/ yr) was observed after 2007. Since 2007 an increase in CH4 TC trends over Northern Europe as well as for tropical belt of Eurasia has been obtained. Analysis of satellite observations AIRS v6 of CO and CH4 TC and MODIS AOD data confirmed the ground-based estimates of trends.

EVIDENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC RESPONSE TO METHANE EMISSIONS FROM THE EAST SIBERIAN ARCTIC SHELF

Average atmospheric methane concentration (CH 4 ) in the Arctic is generally higher than in other regions of the globe. Due to the lack of observations in the Arctic there is a deficiency of robust information about sources of the methane emissions. Measured concentrations of methane and its isotopic composition in ambient air can be used to discriminate sources of CH 4 . Here we present the results of measurements of the atmospheric methane concentration and its isotope composition (δ 13 C CH4 ) in the East Siberian Arctic Seas during the cruise in the autumn 2016. Local sections where the concentration of methane in the near-water layer of the atmosphere reaches 3.6 ppm are identified. The measurements indicated possibility of formation of high methane peaks in atmospheric surface air above the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) where methane release from the bottom sediments has been assumed.

Brown Carbon and Black Carbon in the Smoky Atmosphere during Boreal Forest Fires

We have investigated the variability of smoke aerosol absorbing ability with variations in the content of brown carbon (BrC) and black carbon (BC). Using monitoring data on radiative characteristics of smoke aerosol at AERONET stations and the spatial distribution of aerosol optical depth (AOD) obtained by the MODIS spectrometer (Terra satellite), we have detected large-scale smokes during boreal forest fires in Russia and Canada (1995–2012). The spatial distribution (50°–70° N, 95°–125° W) and temporal variability (at AERONET station Fort McMurray) of AOD during the smoking of a part of Canada in July 2012 have been analyzed. AOD probability distributions for July 14–18, 2012, and an estimate of aerosol radiative forcing of smoke aerosol at the upper boundary of the atmosphere have been obtained. We have proposed a technique for the diagnostics of BrC and BC in smoke aerosol particles from the spectral dependence of the imaginary part of the refractive index. At a wavelength of 440 nm, the contributions of BrC and BC to the smokeaerosol absorbing abitity can be comparable in magnitude. In many cases, the absorption spectra of smoke aerosol can be adequately approximated by either power or exponential functions. The presence of BrC in smoke-aerosol particles highly extends the variety of observed absorption spectra in a smoky atmosphere and spectral dependences of single scattering albedo. In the spectral range of 440–1020 nm, the radiative characteristics of smoke aerosol are largely contributed by its fine mode.

The impact of the April 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption on the atmosphere composition in Moscow

This paper reports a study of the April 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption on the atmosphere composition in Moscow. Concentrations of some gases, including sulfur dioxide, were measured at a station operated by Moscow University and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics. The impact of this eruption was felt, not only in the composition of the gaseous medium, but also in that of atmospheric precipitation as sampled and analyzed at the Meteorological Observatory of Moscow University. The NOAA hysplit model was used to carry out forward and backward trajectory analyses. It is shown that the descent of air masses during an anticyclone is a necessary condition for reliable recording of volcanic admixtures by ground-based stations.

Observations of atmospheric methane and its stable isotope ratio (δ13C) over the Russian Arctic seas from ship cruises in the summer and autumn of 2015

The results of experimental measurements of atmospheric methane concentrations and its isotopic composition in the Russian Arctic seas in the summer and autumn of 2015 are discussed. The Keeling plot method and inverse number simulation were used for revealing the factors responsible for elevated methane concentrations over the sea surface. Its maximum concentrations (up to 2050 ppb) were measured over the Kara and Laptev seas, as well as in the port area of Arkhangel’sk. It is shown that tundra and bog ecosystems of Siberia serve as the main sources of methane in the measurement zone (except for the area adjacent to large ports). As a whole, the share of methane from microbiological sources is as high as approximately 43% of the total methane concentrations along the ship route.

Spatial variations in the air turbidity factor above the European part of Russia under conditions of abnormal summer of 2010

We analyze spatial variations in the air turbidity factor T obtained from the interpolation of ground-based solar radiometry data within the territory (40°–70° N, 30°–60° E) in summer 2010. The abnormal heat and connected fires of summer 2010 changed the mean values of air turbidity and the character of its spatial variations. As a result, a “tongue” of increased values of the turbidity factor was observed in the south-to-north direction in July, and a closed region of anomalous high T was formed over the territory (48°–55° N, 37°–42° E) to the south of Moscow and partly covered the Moscow region in August. Such a pattern resulted from blockage preventing from ingress of air masses from the west and producing closed air circulation over the European Part of Russia (EPR).