Download Marinoni - Third Pole Environment (TPE)

The SHARE multidisciplinary project and the
atmospheric climate observations at the
Nepal Climate Observatory - Pyramid
GAW Global Station (5079m asl, Nepal Himalayas)
Angela Marinoni
P. Bonasoni, E.Vuillermoz,
G.Lentini, R. Toffolon, P.Laj,
SHARE and NCO-P teams
An integrated scientific and technological research
project devoted to environmental monitoring and
climatic studies in mountain regions
Promoted and managed by Ev-K2-CNR Committee in
collaboration with Italian National Research Council
2° Third Pole Environment Workshop
KATHMANDU October 26-28, 2010
ICIMOD
Mountains are barometers of climate change.
As the world heats up, mountain glaciers — the
source of water for many of the world’s river
systems and people — are melting at
unprecedented rates, while rare plants and
animals struggle to survive over ever diminishing
areas. Mountain people,
already among the world’s
most disadvantaged, face
greater hardships.
Understanding how climate
change affects mountains,
and learning how to manage
and mitigate any negative
effects, is vital for all of us,
wherever we live.
FAO focus on mountains
by J Ross and T Hofer
The Third Pole region has gained growing attention due to its
significant role in global atmospheric circulation and its sensitivity
for providing a first indication of climate changes, and thus is vital
for a better understanding of global climate and environmental
changes and their impacts and interactions to human activities.
Starting from the role of mountains as primary indicators of climate change, as
stated by the UN General Assembly (Sec. Gen. Report – SMD 62/292, 2007), and
international programs of FAO (focus on mountains) and IGBP (Report 49, 2001):
What are the central research objectives?
✔ Responds to the needs and priorities identified by international research
institutions for understanding climate change and its impacts.
✔ Aims to provide scientific contribution ensuring long term high quality data by
implementing mountain observations.
✔ Provides scientific analyses on climate, atmospheric composition, hydrology
and water resources, glaciology, biodiversity, human health
and
anthropogenic impacts.
✔ Promoting and implementing a climate environment information system on
mountains.
✔ Provides a feasible framework of adaptation and mitigation strategies to
improve understanding of the effects of climate change on agriculture,
biodiversity, health and water resources, and support environmental
management policies and decision-making processes in developing
countries (UNEP – Bali Strategic Plan).
SHARE promotes the multidisciplinary study of phenomena linked to
global change, developing research activities in 6 thematic areas:
 WP1 – Scientific Research and Climate
Atmosphere
Glaciology
Energy and hydrological cycles
Limnology
Biodiversity and natural resources
Medicine
 WP2 – Technological research and Climate
Development and improvement of systems for the monitoring of atmosphere
composition and environment at high altitudes
 WP3 – Information System
Development of an integrated Information System to collect information on ongoing
monitoring activities in mountain environments (under UNEP/ Mountain Partnership)
 WP4 – Capacity building
Technology and know-how transfer. Providing of correct policy advises on
environmental field. Increasing of scientific capacity of local technicians and
researchers by direct participation in research activities and training courses.
WP1 - Scientific research and climate
Mt. Cimone
(2165m, Italy)
NCO-P (5079m, Nepal)Urdukas Pakistan
3.926 m
Mt. Rwenzori
(4700 m, Uganda)
The SHARE network:
With its stations in
Europe, Asia and
Africa, today SHARE
represents Italy’s
expert contribution to
international
integrated scientific
projects on the
climate and
environment, such
as:
UNEP-ABC,
WMO-GAW, GEO,
WCRPGEWEX-CEOP,
NASA-AERONET,
ILTER, EUSAAR.
WP - 2 Technological research
SHARE includes a component of technological innovation for the development of
climate and atmospheric observations at high altitude and remote mountain areas.
HOW the NCO-P works?
96 photovoltaic panels and
120 electric storage cells.
Data acquisition and
communication systems
Nano-SHARE:
a sophisticated
technological system
has been developed to
overcome the
difficulties often
experienced in
installing high altitude
atmospheric
monitoring stations: e.g. extreme conditions,
transport, technical issues, such as power
supply, data transmission....
In spring 2009 the first prototype of Nano-SHARE
was tested in a field
campaign along the
Himalayan Khumbu Valley
and at the NCO-P by
EvK2CNR in collaboration
with CNR and CNRS.
WP - 3 SHARE Information System
An integrated GIS database for environmental data
management in the high mountains regions
To :
RESEARCHERS (optimize their investments,
harmonize their databases and improve
collaboration)
STAKEHOLDERS (access to a simple
information system)
Two principal and integrated actions are planned:
1. a shared database for the collection, management and access to
spatial and non spatial data;
2. a dedicated thematic portal for the access to distributed
databases and directly to remote high altitude stations.
WP - 4 Capacity building
UNEP close collaboration with SHARE will
strengthen partnership with developing countries,
providing scientific knowledge and technological
expertise for the climate related studies. The knowhow will be available locally
and to intergovernmental agencies, providing a technology
transfer mechanism and supporting decisionmaking on the environment.
Mechanisms for transferring know-how and
technology in the fields of environmental and
geophysical sciences have already been activated.
On-the-job training is provided to local technicians
and researchers so as to create “scientific capacity”,
as indicated in Agenda 21.
Collaboration with local partners is mandatory within
SHARE project, with the aim of a common knowledge
growth.
Training of local technical staff (Ev-K2-CNR, UNEP).
SHARE Pilot Projects
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
ABC NCO-P
Paprika
Stelvio
CEOP-HE
CCQQB
Biodiversity
Seed Bank
GARD Khumbu
(Global Alliance Respiratory Disease)
9. Nano SHARE
10. Information system
GARD KHUMBU
(Global Alliance Respiratory Disease)
Indoor air pollution is recognized as a major
global public health threat. Approximately
half the world’s population and up to 90% of
rural household in developing countries use
biomass fuels in the form of wood, dung and
crop residues often associated with a bad
ventilation in the houses, especially in cold
mountain areas and in winter.
Khumbu Valley population is a particular sample
of population
= no traffic and industry pollution
= very high indoor pollution
The population uses biomass fuels for home
heating and cooking and many houses have
not a chimney.
GARD SURYA
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Epidemiologic study
Questionnaire
3 villages located at different
altitudes (2600m, 3600m, 4200m)
Total estimated population: 350
Indoor and outdoor pollution were measured
in cooperation with the Kathmandu University.
Preliminary results show a high incidence
of bronchial obstruction, a low incidence of
outdoor pollution, the presence of indoor
pollution.
Spirometry
Exhaled Nitric Oxide
Exhaled air condensate
(biomarkers)
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiography
Urine samples (inflammation
biomarkers)
Eyes examination
ABC monitoring in the Himalayas:
The Nepal Climate Observatory – Pyramid
The INDOEX and ABC project results inspired Ev-K2-CNR to fund the
monitoring of atmospheric composition in Himalaya - Karakorum with
the aim of contributing to the ABC-Asia Project, in collaboration with
CNR-ISAC, CNRS-LGGE and NAST.
5079 m asl
Tibet
NCO-P
NCO-P
Nepal
N 27°57'
E 86°48'
India
Indian Ocean
NCO-P Scientific goals:
 To characterize the physical, optical and
chemical properties of aerosol particles at a
high altitude site in the Himalayas and their
variability,
 To investigate the origin of particulate
matter (anthropogenic/biogenic/dust) and
their radiative impact (in particular related to
their glacier melting potential),
 To contribute to a better understanding of
the O3 budget in the area (characterizing the
contributions of regional - long range stratospheric air masses to the O3
variability),
 To monitor greenhouse active and ozonedestroying Halocarbon gases.
The NCO-Pyramid in-situ continuous measurements
Measurement
Instrument
Aerosol number concentration and
size distribution (10nm to 32µm)
DMPS/SMPS, OPC-GRIMM 190
Absorption coefficient (Black carbon
concentration)
MAAP
Total and back scattering coefficient
INTEGRATING NEPHELOMETER-TSI
3563
Aerosol optical depth
CIMEL
Surface ozone concentrations
TEI 49C
Greenhouses gas concentration
(CFC, HFC, HCFC,...)
flask sampling
Chemical Characterization (organic
and inorganic) of Aerosol Particles
high volume sampling on quartz filters
Solar irradiance (200 - 3600 nm)
Pyranometer CMP21 Kipp&Zonen
Meteorological parameters
(air temperature, Atmospheric
pressure, Relative humidity, Wind
speed and direction, Precipitation)
VAISALA WXT510
WINSCM
10%
Dust
Averaged PM10 composition at NCO-P
5.4 mg m-3
Cl
0.3%
NO3
2%
SO4
7%
SO4
14%
Na
0.6%
NH4
3%
NO3
5%
Cl
1%
K
1%
Mg
0.3%
Ca
2%
WSOM
20%
Dust
55%
WINSCM
10%
Oxalate
Oxalate
2%
Cl
Ca
4% NO3
Mg
1% SO4
K
Na
1%
NH4
NH4
6%
NaK
1%
Carrico et al 2003
Mg
Ca
WSOM
WINSCM
Dust
OM+BC
65%
OM+BC
Na
NH4
K
Mg
Ca
Cl
NO3
SO4
Oxalate
4 years of black carbon concentration
[Marinoni et al., ACP, 2010]
black carbon diurnal variations
1000
4
Monsoon
PRE-MONSOON
Pre-monsoon
MONSOON
Post-monsoon
POST-MONSOON
Dry season
DRY
900
3
ng m-3
Vy (m/s)
800
700
2
600
1
500
0
400
300
-1
200
100
-2
0
00
0:00
2:00
06
4:00
6:00
8:00
12
18
10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00
UTC + 4:45
0:00
[Bonasoni et al., ACP, 2010]
[Marinoni et al., ACP, 2010]
Atmospheric Brown Clouds hot spots in the Himalayas
BC deposition on snow/ice surfaces
Deposition of black carbon is a major driver of glacial retreat in the HinduKush-Himalaya-Tibetan region (ABC Regional assessment, 2008).
Ramanathan and Carmichael report that the impact of BC on melting snow
and glaciers may equal the impact of increased atmospheric CO2.
Starting from BC concentrations at NCO-P in pre-monsoon season we
estimate:
 26-68 µg Kg-1 BC snow concentration
 2 – 5.2 % snow albedo reduction
 70 – 204 mm (we) runoff increase from a typical
Tibetan glacier
equal to 24 % of the seasonal runoff
[Yasunari et al., ACP, 2010]
Long-range transport of dust and
pollution : 12–18 June 2006
Large dust storm blew through the Indus
Valley, along the border between Pakistan
and India, on June 12, 2006 (NASA MODIS).
The severe heat waves that affected these
areas in May 2006, could favor the
development of dust storms and increase of
pollution levels.
Dust storm in the Indus Valley
June 12, 2006
In this MODIS picture, the dust heads
toward the Himalaya Mountains.
12-18 June 2006 @ NCO Pyramid
… blowing along the Himalayas edge, dust air mass mixed with
pollution, is pumped into the mountain valleys reaching the NCO-P
8
6
4
2
0
Jun
Break in the monsoon precipitation
Jul
Aug
Sep
Rain cumulative (mm)
12 – 22 June 2006:
Long-range transport of pollution and dust during Monsoon
-3
ng
m-3
ng m
1200
L evoglucosan
800
4000
3000
2000
1000
400
0
5000
EC [ng/m3]
ACUTE POLLUTION
EPISODE OF APRIL
2010
6000
0
0
22/03/1 0
23/03/1 0
24/03/1 0
25/03/1 0
26/03/1 0
27/03/1 0
28/03/1 0
29/03/1 0
30/03/1 0
31/03/1 0
01/04/1 0
02/04/1 0
03/04/1 0
04/04/1 0
05/04/1 0
06/04/1 0
07/04/1 0
08/04/1 0
09/04/1 0
10/04/1 0
2000
4000
BC [ng/m3]
6000
10:46 NST
A thick haze
is clearly
discernible
by NCO-P
images
taken on
April 7
during
morning and
after-noon
conditions,
testifying the
afternoon
extension of
the ABCs up
to the high
Himalayass.
16:46 NST
Scientific results:
Special Issue
Atmospheric Brown Cloud in the Himalayas
9 papers on ACP/ACPD relative to NCO-P data
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/special_issue103.html
World Meteorological Organization
Global Atmospheric Watch
NCO-P (PYR) is the 33° GAW WMO Global Station
NCO-P
DATA AVAILABILITY
http://evk2.isac.cnr.it/realtime.html
+ NRT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION