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- Laj, P., et al.
(författare)
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Measuring Atmospheric Composition Change
- 2009
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-2844 .- 1352-2310. ; 43:33, s. 5351-5414
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Scientific findings from the last decades have clearly highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to atmospheric change processes. In fact, observation of atmospheric composition variables has been an important activity of atmospheric research that has developed instrumental tools (advanced analytical techniques) and platforms (instrumented passenger aircrafts, ground-based in-situ and remote sensing stations, earth observation satellite instruments) providing essential information on the composition of the atmosphere. The variability of the atmospheric system and the extreme complexity of the atmospheric cycles for short-lived gaseous and aerosol species have led to the development of complex models to interpret observations, test our theoretical understanding of atmospheric chemistry and predict future atmospheric composition. The validation of numerical models requires accurate information concerning the variability of atmospheric composition for targeted species via comparison with observations and measurements. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent advances in instrumentation and methodologies for measuring atmospheric composition changes from space, aircraft and the surface as well as recent improvements in laboratory techniques that permitted scientific advance in the field of atmospheric chemistry. Emphasis is given to the most promising and innovative technologies that will become operational in the near future to improve knowledge of atmospheric composition. Our current observation capacity, however, is not satisfactory to understand and predict future atmospheric composition changes, in relation to predicted climate warming. Based on the limitation of the current European observing system, we address the major gaps in a second part of the paper to explain why further developments in current observation strategies are still needed to strengthen and optimise an observing system not only capable of responding to the requirements of atmospheric services but also to newly open scientific questions.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Kulmala, Markku, et al.
(författare)
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Overview of the biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate interactions (BACCI) studies
- 2008
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Ingår i: Tellus. Series B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology. - : Stockholm University Press. - 0280-6509 .- 1600-0889. ; 60:3, s. 300-317
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we present research methods and results obtained by the Nordic Centre of Excellence Biosphere-Aerosol-Cloud-Climate Interactions (BACCI) between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2007. The centre formed an integrated attempt to understand multiple, but interlinked, biosphere-atmosphere interactions applying inter and multidisciplinary approaches in a coherent manner. The main objective was to study the life cycle of aerosol particles and their importance on climate change. The foundation in BACCI was a thorough understanding of physical, meteorological, chemical and ecophysiological processes, providing a unique possibility to study biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate interactions. Continuous measurements of atmospheric concentrations and fluxes of aerosol particles and precursors and, CO2/aerosol trace gas interactions in different field stations (e.g. SMEAR) were supported by models of particle thermodynamics, transport and dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, boundary layer meteorology and forest growth. The main progress was related to atmospheric new particle formation, existence of clusters, composition of nucleation mode aerosol particles, chemical precursors of fresh aerosol particles, the contribution of biogenic aerosol particles on the global aerosol load, transport, transformation and deposition of aerosol particles, thermodynamics related to aerosol particles and cloud droplets, and the microphysics and chemistry of cloud droplet formation.
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| 4. |
- Svenningsson, Birgitta, et al.
(författare)
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Hygroscopic growth and critical supersaturations for mixed aerosol particles of inorganic and organic compounds of atmospheric relevance
- 2006
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. - 1680-7324. ; 6:7, s. 1937-1952
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The organic fraction of atmospheric aerosols contains a multitude of compounds and usually only a small fraction can be identified and quantified. However, a limited number of representative organic compounds can be used to describe the water-soluble organic fraction. In this work, initiated within the EU 5FP project SMOCC, four mixtures containing various amounts of inorganic salts (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and sodium chloride) and three model organic compounds (levoglucosan, succinic acid and fulvic acid) were studied. The interaction between water vapor and aerosol particles was studied at different relative humidities: at subsaturation using a hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyzer (H-TDMA) and at supersaturation using a cloud condensation nuclei spectrometer (CCN spectrometer). Surface tensions as a function of carbon concentrations were measured using a bubble tensiometer. Parameterizations of water activity as a function of molality, based on hygroscopic growth, are given for the pure organic compounds and for the mixtures, indicating van't Hoff factors around 1 for the organics. The Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) mixing rule was tested on the hygroscopic growth of the mixtures and it was found to adequately explain the hygroscopic growth for 3 out of 4 mixtures, when the limited solubility of succinic acid is taken into account. One mixture containing sodium chloride was studied and showed a pronounced deviation from the ZSR mixing rule. Critical supersaturations calculated using the parameterizations of water activity and the measured surface tensions were compared with those determined experimentally.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Schneider, J. M., et al.
(författare)
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Benefits of cooperation with genetic kin in a subsocial spider
- 2008
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 105:31, s. 10843-10846
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Interaction within groups exploiting a common resource may be prone to cheating by selfish actions that result in disadvantages for all members of the group, including the selfish individuals. Kin selection is one mechanism by which such dilemmas can be resolved This is because selfish acts toward relatives include the cost of lowering indirect fitness benefits that could otherwise be achieved through the propagation of shared genes. Kin selection theory has been proved to be of general importance for the origin of cooperative behaviors, but other driving forces, such as direct fitness benefits, can also promote helping behavior in many cooperatively breeding taxa. Investigating transitional systems is therefore particularly suitable for understanding the influence of kin selection on the initial spread of cooperative behaviors. Here we investigated the role of kinship in cooperative feeding. We used a cross-fostering design to control for genetic relatedness and group membership. Our study animal was the periodic social spider Stegodyphus lineatus, a transitional species that belongs to a genus containing both permanent social and periodic social species. In S. lineatus, the young cooperate in prey capture and feed communally. We provide clear experimental evidence for net benefits of cooperating with kin. Genetic relatedness within groups and not association with familiar individuals directly improved feeding efficiency and growth rates, demonstrating a positive effect of kin cooperation. Hence, in communally feeding spiders, nepotism favors group retention and-reduces the conflict between selfish interests and the interests of the group.
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