JournalTOCs

Earth Systems and Environment
Number of Followers: 3

Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
ISSN (Print) 2509-9426 - ISSN (Online) 2509-9434
Published by Springer-Verlag

[2467 journals]

Summertime Microscale Assessment and Prediction of Urban Thermal Comfort
Zone Using Remote-Sensing Techniques for Kuwait
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  Abstract: Abstract Urbanization significantly accelerates the replacement of natural land-use and land-cover (LULC) classes, which can raise the temperature and diminish thermal comfort zone (TCZ), potentially negatively affecting the environment and human health. This study assesses and predicts the impacts of LULC change on directional shrinkage of the TCZ in Kuwait, using Landsat images and cellular automata (CA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) algorithms from 1991 to 2031. The analysis revealed a rapid urban expansion (40%) in south-east (SE), north-east (NE), and north-west (NW) directions and shrinkage of TCZ (25% area with a very uncomfortable thermal condition) in N–NW and SW directions, from 1991 to 2021. The predicted scenario showed an increase in urban areas from 44% (2021) to 47% (2026) and 52% (2031). In contrast, very uncomfortable TCZ (35% in 2026 and 40% in 2031) was found concentrated around urban areas and bare land toward N–NE and N–NW directions. The study proposes effective and sustainable strategies to mitigate the shrinkage of TCZ, including zero-soil policies, planned landscape design, artificial water bodies, and rooftop gardens. This study will be an essential tool for promoting sustainable development in Kuwait by helping urban planners and policymakers realize the impacts of urbanization and land-use change on the TCZ.
  PubDate: 2023-02-25
Land Use Land Cover Change and Related Drivers have Livelihood
Consequences in Coastal Bangladesh
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  Abstract: Abstract Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes differ based on geographic position, while different kinds of natural and physical components accelerate the changes along with impacts on surroundings and demographic background. Bangladesh has been experiencing significant changes in landscape settings, facilitating changes in people’s livelihoods. To understand the changing pattern of livelihood in coastal areas of Bangladesh, it is crucial to detect the LULC changes, including the influence of related drivers. Following the background, this study was conducted in Batiaghata Upazila of Khulna district to assess the LULC changes using RS and GIS techniques over 30 years (1990–2019). With the help of 15 key informant interviews and 2 focus group discussions, this study delves into the driving forces behind the ever-evolving changes in LULC. From the impact on the livelihood patterns of different groups of people, this study uncovers the mysteries behind these changes. Findings unveiled a tale of transformation in the study area. As the years passed, there was a decline in agriculture (7.6%) and fallow land (15.66%), and a surge in water bodies (20.68%) from 1990 to 2019. These significant changes in land use paint a picture of an ever-evolving landscape. From the devastating effects of natural disasters to the pursuit of profit and the drive for industrial advancement, a multitude of drivers are fueling the changes in land use. As literacy rates rise and temperatures fluctuate, the landscape is undergoing a transformation driven by these powerful forces. The ripple effects of LULC changes can be felt throughout the community, leaving a wake of disrupted livelihoods in its path. As opportunities narrow and marginalized groups feel the squeeze, it's crucial for stakeholders to act. By examining the changes in LULC and livelihoods aims to pave the way for a more sustainable future in coastal Bangladesh.
  PubDate: 2023-02-11
Climatology, Variability, and Trend of the Winter Precipitation over Nepal
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  Abstract: Abstract Winter precipitation accounts for ~ 5% of interannual spatial variability during the last five decades (1960–2015), with the largest variability in the western and central regions of Nepal. The temporal variability shows a relatively higher degree of variability after the 1990s. In this study, the dominant modes of winter precipitation pattern, trend and their association with oceanic and atmospheric patterns were investigated over the southern slope of the central Himalaya, Nepal. The increasing trend (< 1 mm/year) of winter precipitation is found only over the highlands of the western and central regions, whereas decreasing trend or no trend in most of the areas over the country. Further, two dominant modes of winter precipitation were observed through Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis. The first leading mode (EOF1) shows a monopole pattern with 42.9% variability with strong loading over the western and central regions, whereas the second mode (EOF2) shows a heterogeneous pattern, accounting for 18.9% of the total variance. Further, the EOF1 pattern is remotely influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and locally through Indian Ocean Basin Mode (IOBM) patterns. It is also observed that the EOF2 mode has a close relationship with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), modulating the wave train and propagating eastward to the western Himalayas.
  PubDate: 2023-01-24
Gendered Vulnerability, Perception and Adaptation Options of Smallholder
Farmers to Climate Change in Eastern Ethiopia
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  Abstract: Abstract Climate change has become a global phenomenon, but its impact is unevenly distributed among regions, economic classes, age classes and genders. Gender is among the factors that influence the perception and adaptation of smallholder farmers to the impacts of climate change. This study assessed the level of gender vulnerability, perception and adaptation options against climate change in the rural areas of Meta District, eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 193 respondents through household survey, focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews. Long-term climate data (1990–2019) were acquired from the National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia. Integrated vulnerability assessment method through the construction of indices from selected indicators of climate change was used to describe vulnerability. A multivariate probit model (MVP) was employed to identify factors affecting the choice of adaptation options to climate change. Climate data analysis showed that long-term annual, belg (short rainy season from February-April) and kiremt (long rainy season from June–September) seasonal rainfall had high variability with a coefficient of variation of 37.7%, 42.5% and 34.4%, respectively. Approximately 90% of male- and 74% of female-headed households perceived declining and erratic rainfall and rising temperature over time in their locality in the last three decades. The lower perception of women implies that they had less access to climate information and lack awareness, which constrains their adaptation against the impacts of climate change. The likelihood of household heads adopting soil and water conservation (SWC) practices, adjusting planting dates and use of drought-tolerant varieties was 77.2%, 56.9% and 53.9%, respectively. Women were more vulnerable, with a vulnerability index (VI) of − 0.138, to climate change than men (VI = 0.009) in the study area. These findings necessitate the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive and context-specific policies that provide poor female farmers with the opportunities to diversify their livelihood with non-farm income. Moreover, non-formal trainings and better extension services are needed to enhance the perception of climate change and the use of adaptation practices to improve resilience against climate change.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Assessment of Catchment Behavior of the Wadi Louza in NW-Algeria Under
Hydrological Drought Conditions
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  Abstract: Abstract Climate-related droughts have become more common in many parts of the world in recent years, causing negative consequences for agriculture, the environment, and food security. The recent drought in northwestern Algeria’s semi-arid regions has had an impact on both water resource balance and agriculture, with hydrological processes being particularly badly affected and provided hydrological drought. The Wadi Louza basin is one of the drought-affected regions, as it is situated in an area with scarce water resources. Data from hydrological gauging stations for 28 years were used to investigate drought history. The aim of this study is to characterise and monitor the hydrological drought over different time periods (3, 6, 9, and 12 months) using the Streamflow Drought Index (SDI) index and to evaluate the behavior of the Wadi Louza catchment under drought conditions using a HBV-light hydrological model. The results show that the driest hydrological years were 1991–1993, and 2005–2006, and that a 12-month time scale was the most appropriate for developing an effective drought mitigation strategy. The HBV-light model generates a portion of the runoff in the lower soil zone that is predicted to be 15.30% of recharge, confirming that the Wadi Louza basin has been subjected to extreme droughts.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Energy Production Potentials from Municipal
Solid Waste Management in Thailand Through 2050
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  Abstract: Abstract This study estimated the amounts of municipal solid waste, greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potential, and energy production potential from waste management in Thailand from 2017–2050. According to a grey forecasting model (GM 1,3), waste generation is predicted to increase at an average rate of 1.15% year–1 and will reach 39.61 M tons in 2050. Four waste management scenarios were investigated including: a baseline scenario, in which waste management practices in 2017 remain unchanged; scenario 1, which includes installation of waste-to-energy incineration plants from 2018–2021; scenario 2, which assumes the waste-to-energy target (900 MWe) is accomplished; and scenario 3 which maximizes waste sorting and material recovery. In the baseline scenario, greenhouse gas emissions will reach 18,972 kt CO2eq and the power production potential will be 179 MWe in 2050. Scenario 2 provides maximum waste disposal reduction, resulting in the greatest greenhouse gas mitigation. Its greenhouse gas emissions are 20% lower than the baseline in 2030, and 47% in 2050. The power production potential in scenario 2 in 2050 (910 MWe) can help prevent 11,756 kt CO2eq of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption. Scenario 1 provides the smallest greenhouse gas mitigation potential, with only 7% reduction in 2030 compared to the baseline. However, all scenarios can help Thailand meet its Nationally Determined Contributions targets. Findings from this study provide some insights for policy makers and researchers in evaluating waste management and climate policies.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Assessment of Drought Conditions Over Different Climate Zones of
Kazakhstan Using Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index
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  Abstract: Abstract The present research was carried out to understand the long-term changes in drought conditions over major climate regions of Kazakhstan using the temperature-sensitive Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). The inter-annual and intra-annual drought events were studied by computing SPEI at resolute time scales such as SPEI 1, SPEI 3 and SPEI 12. The non-parametric statistical metrics including the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were used to find the direction and magnitude of trends shown by the index. The results of the study revealed a significant drying tendency of the arid and semi-arid climate zones. An insignificant wetting tendency was observed for the humid and sub-humid climate zones of the country. The analysis of SPEI 3 showed that the summer and autumn seasons made a significant contribution to the dry periods in the semi-arid climate zone while the spring season aided in generating a similar downward trend in the arid climate zone. April, August and September were recorded as the months with the highest occurrence probability of total droughts in all the climate divisions of Kazakhstan. Until the point of probable meteorological change in 1994; the central longitudinal position occupied by the highest possibility occurrence areas for overall droughts showed a westerly and north-easterly shift during the subsequent period. The drought index also reflected an increased occurrence probability of all types of droughts with an obvious shift in the intensive drought centers during the studied time slices. However, the range of occurrence probability shrank with the increasing severity of droughts.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Assessment of Projected Climate Change Impact on Wheat (Triticum
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  Abstract: Abstract Ethiopia is the major wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) producer country in Africa in terms of total area coverage and total production. But, wheat productivity in Ethiopia is low as compared to the genetic potential of the crop mainly due to climate change and climate variability. Studies that focus on impact of climate change on wheat productivity have paramount importance in Ethiopia, where limited adaptive strategies have been available. This study was conducted at Jamma located in the northeastern part of Ethiopia with the objectives to (1) calibrate and evaluate the CERES (Crop-Environment-Resource-Synthesis) wheat model in DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) model for simulating phenology and yield of wheat crop (2) assess impact of projected climate change on wheat crop (3) explore management measures for wheat crop. Model calibration was performed using phenology and yield data. Daily climate data for the period (1980–2009) and future climate data for 2030s (2020–2049) and 2050s (2040–2069) were used for impact and management scenarios analysis. Baseline climate data (Model calibration revealed that root mean square error (RMSE) for anthesis, physiological maturity, grain yield, and biomass yield were 2 days, 3 days, 399 kg ha−1, 895 kg ha−1and 0.3, respectively. The RMSE during the model evaluation were 2 days, 4 days, 139 kg ha−1 and 526 kg ha−1 for the respective parameters indicated the genetic coefficients were properly calibrated. Simulation under carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization showed that wheat grain yield may slightly increase in 2030s and in 2050s under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios. The simulation result without CO2 fertilization showed that grain yield may decrease in 2030s and 2050s under both RCPs. The use of long maturing cultivars under late sowing may help to significantly increase grain yield. In conclusion, projected climate change may affect wheat production adversely, but impact may be reduced using suitable crop management measures.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Assessment of Hydro-climatic Variables and Its Impact on River Flow Regime
in the Sub-basins of the Upper Indus Basin
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  Abstract: Abstract The assessment of hydro-climatic variables plays a key role to examine long-term changes in snow-fed and glacier-fed rivers that are vulnerable to climatic variations in areas of complex topography. This study investigated monthly, annual and seasonal variability of three major elements in the water system, temperature, precipitation and streamflow changes to determine their relationships, using Terra climate, a high-resolution regional climate modeling product and in situ river discharge data in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). Long-term (1960–2017) trends and magnitudinal changes in hydro-climatic variables were determined by applying modified Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope test. The spatial variations in climate variables show significant trends that are strongly regulated by the altitude. Overall, warming trends are greater in spring and higher with elevation. The temperature trends show significant increase in maximum temperature (Tmax) during autumn (0.09 °C/decade), spring (0.22 °C/decade) and winter (0.12 °C/decade), while decrease in summer (− 0.07 °C/decade). A significant decrease in Tmax was observed in the Hunza and Jhelum sub-basins which indicate a suspected pattern of summer cooling over the period. Tmax exhibited large spatio-temporal variations with respect to high (e.g., Hunza and Shyok) and low (e.g., Jhelum and Kabul) altitude sub-basins, in contrast to more homogenous patterns of trends in minimum temperature (Tmin) across the whole UIB. River discharge from high-altitude sub-basins was positively correlated with temperature, while in low-altitude sub-basins with precipitation. A clear trend in annual and seasonal variations in hydro-climatic variables from the snow-fed and glacier-fed sub-basins could be a response to climatic factors.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Monthly, Seasonal, and Annual Variations of Precipitation and Runoff Over
West and Central Africa Using Remote Sensing and Climate Reanalysis
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  Abstract: Abstract Precipitation and runoff variability over West and Central Africa is the major challenge of water resource management, which drives a range of socio-economic issues. Storm water runoff poses serious environmental problems and public health issues in these regions. We use descriptive statistics in order to analyze monthly, seasonal, and annual runoff and precipitation using the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and the Fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) (ERA5) datasets, respectively for the period 1981–2021. Based on the results, the climate of the western zone is different from that of the equatorial zone, where runoff is persistently high throughout the year. Monthly and seasonal runoff show that June, July and August have higher runoff values. The high values for these three months correspond to the rainy season in these regions. Trends of the runoff and precipitation are detected using Mann–Kendall test. Apart of the coastal zones where trends are positive, trends in runoff are mostly negative throughout the Western and Central African regions. The result will benefit our understanding of the increasing suffrage of the local population from severe floods, landslides and soil erosion over this region.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Hedging the Effect of Climate Change on Crop Yields by Pricing Weather
Index Insurance Based on Temperature
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  Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we calculate the premium of weather index insurance written on temperature indices. To model the daily average temperature data, we use a stochastic model in which the noise part is determined by a generalized hyperbolic process. We used daily data recorded in two cities in Ethiopia to validate our model. A growing degree day (GDD) temperature index is employed for calculating the price of index insurance that is used to hedge the loss of crop yields associated with an abrupt change of temperature. Using the GDD index, we calculate the premium of the insurance contract used to ensure three major crops, namely teff, wheat, and barley. Moreover, the risk factor of weather derivative market is calculated from the historical temperature data by calculating the GDD which is the highlight of the paper. Depending on the method implemented, the calculated value of the market price of risk is 0.028, with the corresponding premium value of 290. This premium value is more accurate than the value obtained assuming that, the market price of risk is zero. We have also proposed a normal distribution to model payoff movement of an insurance contract, and we are studying the probability of profit and loss for the farmer who enters the insurance. Our results are promising for establishing weather index insurance.
  PubDate: 2023-01-01
Pros and Cons of Biochar to Soil Potentially Toxic Element Mobilization
and Phytoavailability: Environmental Implications
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  Abstract: Abstract While the potential of biochar (BC) to immobilize potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in contaminated soils has been studied and reviewed, no review has focused on the potential use of BC for enhancing the phytoremediation efficacy of PTE-contaminated soils. Consequently, the overarching purpose in this study is to critically review the effects of BC on the mobilization, phytoextraction, phytostabilization, and bioremediation of PTEs in contaminated soils. Potential mechanisms of the interactions between BC and PTEs in soils are also reviewed in detail. We discuss the promises and challenges of various approaches, including potential environmental implications, of BC application to PTE-contaminated soils. The properties of BC (e.g., surface functional groups, mineral content, ionic content, and π-electrons) govern its impact on the (im)mobilization of PTEs, which is complex and highly element-specific. This review demonstrates the contrary effects of BC on PTE mobilization and highlights possible opportunities for using BC as a mobilizing agent for enhancing phytoremediation of PTEs-contaminated soils.
  PubDate: 2022-12-27
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00336-8
Current and Future Climate Extremes Over Latin America and Caribbean:
Assessing Earth System Models from High Resolution Model Intercomparison
Project (HighResMIP)
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  Abstract: Abstract Extreme temperature and precipitation events are the primary triggers of hazards, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and landslides, with localized impacts. In this sense, the finer grids of Earth System models (ESMs) could play an essential role in better estimating extreme climate events. The performance of High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) models is evaluated using the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) over the 1981–2014 period and future changes (2021–2050) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP5–8.5, over ten regions in Latin America and the Caribbean. The impact of increasing the horizontal resolution in estimating extreme climate variability on a regional scale is first compared against reference gridded datasets, including reanalysis, satellite, and merging products. We used three different groups based on the resolution of the model’s grid (sg): (i) low (0.8° ≤ sg ≤ 1.87°), (ii) intermediate (0.5° ≤ sg ≤ 0.7°), and (iii) high (0.23° ≥ sg ≤ 0.35°). Our analysis indicates that there was no clear evidence to support the posit that increasing horizontal resolution improves model performance. The ECMWF-IFS family of models appears to be a plausible choice to represent climate extremes, followed by the ensemble mean of HighResMIP in their intermediate resolution. For future climate, the projections indicate a consensus of temperature and precipitation climate extremes increase across most of the ten regions. Despite the uncertainties presented in this study, climate models have been and will continue to be an important tool for assessing risk in the face of extreme events.
  PubDate: 2022-12-19
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00337-7
Evaluation of Historical Simulations of CMIP6 Models for Temperature and
Precipitation in Guatemala
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  Abstract: Abstract This study evaluates the ability of 38 General Circulation Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to simulate the historical climate of Guatemala. The lack of long-term data from local stations in the country limits the analysis of historical climate, so the study’s purpose is to find which models have the best ability to simulate it. Monthly temperature and precipitation are evaluated with observational data from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU), University of East Anglia, England, and using the following statistical evaluation metrics: standard deviation (SD), Pearson’s (PCC) and Spearman’s (SCC) correlation coefficients, root mean square errors (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), and mean absolute error (MAE). In addition, the best GCMs are selected based on the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) for temperature and precipitation. For each variable, a group’s five models were selected as best models based on the calculated metrics. For precipitation, the best five models present NSE values ranging from 0.45 to 0.65, CCP and CCS from 0.7 to 0.8. For temperature, the best five models show values of NSE from 0.5 to 0.6, and CCP and CCS not less than 0.8. In general, the models slightly overestimate the observed temperature and underestimate the observed precipitation. The models with the best ability found here are MRI-ESM-2.0 for temperature and IPSL-CM6A-LR for precipitation. The best five models for each variable are bias corrected, resulting in some statistical evaluation metrics improvement, and then a weighted geographic regression (WGR) for spatial downscaling to the mean year, dry and rainy season, for each variable.
  PubDate: 2022-12-12
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00333-x
Coastal Salinity and Water Management Practices in the Bengal Delta: A
Critical Analysis to Inform Salinisation Risk Management Strategies in
Asian Deltas
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  Abstract: Salinisation within delta environments is a dynamic process governed by the interaction between coastal, fluvial and geomorphological systems. Increasingly, these have been modified through human activity and management practices, which lead to unintended problems associated with waterlogging and salt accumulation in soils and water resources. As a result of these issues, over 100 million people in the Ganges–Brahmaputra and other Asian deltas are negatively affected by a lack of freshwater availability and decreased crop yields. Rising sea levels, climate change, and population increase are all likely to exacerbate these problems. Using an iterative approach of literature review, we analyse the evolution of water management practices and policy and how these have influenced salinity within the delta, with a conceptual framework of understanding developed to guide risk management strategies. We find that management of coastal flooding and salinisation is hampered by socio-economic conditions and the dynamic hydro-morphology of the delta, which has increasingly been altered through diversion and abstraction of upstream flow. Whilst engineering solutions protect large areas from inundation, interruption of natural flood-dynamics also increases the potential impact from storm-surge and fluvio-tidal flooding. To limit salinity, policies based on salinisation science, as well as the implementation of adequately financed, multi-layered, integrated risk management plans at the local, regional, and river basin levels, are required. The promotion of stakeholder engagement should be encouraged to ensure local co-operation and effective implementation of policies. The mitigation of the multiple and cascading hazards associated with salinisation caused by anthropogenic activity, climate change and socio-economic development is crucial for the populations of delta regions across Asia.
  PubDate: 2022-12-05
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00335-9
The Influence of the Madden–Julian Oscillation on the Wet Season
Rainfall over Saudi Arabia
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  Abstract: Abstract The influence of Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is examined on intraseasonal rainfall variability during the wet season (November–April) by using the real-time multivariate (RMM) MJO index, ERA5 reanalysis, and daily observed rainfall dataset from 26 stations in Saudi Arabia for the period 1985–2021. The MJO 8 phases are categorized into wet (phases 1, 2, 7 and 8) and dry (phases 3, 4, 5, and 6) based on the Saudi Arabian intraseasonal rainfall characteristics associated with MJO phases. It is observed that 41% (46%) of total (extreme) rainfall events occur during the MJO wet phases, while only 23% (18%) of such events occur during MJO dry phases. The intraseasonal variability signals are isolated from daily dataset by applying a 30- to 90-day period bandpass filter. The analyses are validated by constructing composites of daily filtered precipitation anomalies during MJO 8 phases. The physical mechanism indicates that the significant intraseasonal wetter conditions are linked with enhanced easterly and southeasterly moisture convergence over Saudi Arabia from the Arabian Sea. The atmospheric cyclonic circulation anomalies during the wet phases favor more moisture convergence and vertical moisture advection, which may lead to enhanced convection and rainfall. However, during the dry phases, anticyclonic circulation anomalies enhance moisture divergence and reduce vertical moisture advection and consequently suppress the convection and rainfall activity over Saudi Arabia. The analyses show that the intraseasonal rainfall variability over Saudi Arabia is significantly influenced by the MJO during the wet season. These findings have important implications for sub-seasonal rainfall forecasting in Saudi Arabia.
  PubDate: 2022-11-30
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00334-w
Modeling the Impacts of Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land use
on Carbon Footprints Using Kernel Density Function in an Urban Setting
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  Abstract: Abstract Rapid urbanization accelerates the rate of carbon emissions (CE), resulting in unfavorable fluctuating in climatic conditions of urban settings. One of the prominent reasons behind these climatic anomalies is the direct result of CO2 emission and heat-trapping gasses from industries and urban built-up areas. This study addresses the ongoing CE issues in Khulna City by analyzing CE from residential, commercial, and industrial land use. Moreover, the study explores diverse sources of CE from intense energy consumption using electricity, gas, fuel, and wood. Consequently, the carbon footprint (CF) has been estimated using specific CE coefficients for each landuse category. Specific concentration of CE for each landuse category is demonstrated on maps using geospatial and kernel density applications. Results suggested Khulna City’s monthly CE have been estimated 55,536,435 kg from residential, 14,612,942 kg from commercial and 2,606,823 kg from industrial land use. From residential landuse, each household has an average CF of 355.51 kg CO2/month. The restaurants and roadside hotels have the highest contribution from commercial landuse, average CF of 1231.64 kg and 4150.82 kg CO2/month, respectively. Meanwhile, the jute and food industries are responsible for 38,016 kg and 14,036 kg CO2/month, respectively. Compared to the sources of CE, industrial and residential landuse have a consumption pattern of 99% and 83% of electricity, respectively, rather than other sources. This study’s results may help policymakers understand CE patterns from each sector to generate future urban growth and planning decisions.
  PubDate: 2022-11-12
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00332-y
A Review of El Niño Southern Oscillation Linkage to Strong Volcanic
Eruptions and Post-Volcanic Winter Warming
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  Abstract: Abstract Understanding the influence of volcanism on ENSO and associated climatic impacts is of great scientific and social importance. Although many studies on the volcano–ENSO nexus are available, a thorough review of ENSO sensitivity to explosive eruptions is still missing. Therefore, this study aims to provide an in-depth assessment of the ENSO response to volcanism. Most past studies suggest an emerging consensus in models, with the vast majority showing an El Niño-like SST response during the eruption year and a La Niña-like response a few years later. RCP8.5-based climate model projections also suggest strong El Niño conditions and significant monsoonal rainfall reduction following strong tropical volcanism. However, some studies involving climate reconstructions and model simulations still raise concerns about the ENSO–volcano link and suggest a weak ENSO response to volcanism. This happens because ENSO response to volcanism seems very sensitive to reconstruction methods, ENSO preconditioning, eruption timing, position and amplitude. We noticed that some response mechanisms are still unclear, for instance, how the tropical volcanic forcing with nearly uniform radiative cooling projects onto ENSO when coincidental ENSO events are underway. Moreover, there are very less observational and proxy records for assessing the extratropical volcanism impact on ENSO. Nevertheless, model-based studies suggest that Northern (Southern) Hemispheric extratropical eruptions may lead to an El Niño (La Niña)-like response. We further noticed that the origin of post-eruption winter warming is still elusive; however, recent findings suggest that the large-scale circulation changes concurrently occurring during volcanism are the potential source of high-latitude winter warming. Existing uncertainties in the simulated ENSO response to volcanism could be reduced by considering a synchronized modeling approach with large ensembles.
  PubDate: 2022-11-07
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00331-z
Expansion of Moraine-Dammed Glacial Lakes and Historical GLOF Events in
Cordillera Blanca Region of Peruvian Andes
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  Abstract: Abstract The dramatic mass loss of Tropical Andean glaciers under the influence of climate change has caused alterations in regional hydrological regimes, including development and expansion of glacial lakes, especially moraine-dammed lakes, supraglacial lakes and ice-dammed lakes. There is a broad consensus on Moraine-Dammed Glacial Lakes (MDGLs) to be commonly understood as potentially most dangerous lakes that can trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The GLOF event in that process is expected to negatively impact the downstream communities, agricultural assets and infrastructure. In this study, we have prepared an updated and detailed inventory of MDGLs in the Cordillera Blanca region of the Peruvian Andes. The multi-temporal satellite data (TM, ETM, OLI and Sentinel-2A) was used to analyze the changes in lake area over a period of 40 years from 1980 to 2020. A total of 38 MDGLs (size > 0.05 km2) covering an area of 10.30 km2, and located in the altitudinal zone ranging from 4155 to 4960 masl were identified and mapped. From 1980 (6.59 km2) to 2020 (10.3 km2), an expansion of 3.7 km2 (35%) at an annual rate of 0.09 km2/year was observed in the lake area. This study also contributes in terms of developing a database of past GLOF events from an extensive literature survey to understand the hazard and disaster profile of the region for the period 1702–2020. A total of 28 GLOF events have been reported in the region which brought devastation to the surrounding communities. We conclude that the region is highly prone to GLOFs as understood from the occurrence of GLOFs in the past as well as from the current scenario of MDGLs.
  PubDate: 2022-10-14
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00330-0
COVID-19 Restriction Movement Control Order (MCO) Impacted Emissions of
Peninsular Malaysia Using Sentinel-2a and Sentinel-5p Satellite
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  Abstract: Abstract The unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the whole world in every aspect including health, social life, economic activity, education, and the environment. The pandemic has led to an improvement in air quality all around the world, including in Malaysia. Lockdowns have resulted in industry shutting down and road travel decreasing which can reduce the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and air pollution. This research assesses the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on emissions using the Air Pollution Index (API), aerosols, and GHG which is Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in Malaysia. The data used is from Sentinel-5p and Sentinel-2A which monitor the air quality based on Ozone (O3) and NO2 concentration. Using an interpolated API Index Map comparing 2019, before the implementation of a Movement Control Order (MCO), and 2020, after the MCO period we examine the impact on pollution during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Data used Sentinel-5p, Sentinel-2A, and Air Pollution Index of Malaysia (APIMS) to monitor the air quality that contains NO2 concentration. The result has shown the recovery in air quality during the MCO implementation which indirectly shows anthropogenic activities towards the environmental condition. The study will help to enhance and support the policy and scope for air pollution management strategies as well as raise public awareness of the main causes that contribute to air pollution.
  PubDate: 2022-10-08
  DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00329-7