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Radioisotopes demonstrate changes in global atmospheric circulation possibly caused by global warming
Lucrezia Terzi1,2, Gerhard Wotawa3, Michael Schoeppner4,5
1Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Mol, Belgium. lucrezia.terzi@sckcen.be.
Scientific Reports
|July 3, 2020
Summary
Beryllium-7, a cosmogenic radionuclide, tracks global atmospheric changes. This study reveals significant shifts in atmospheric circulation and tropopause height over the past decade, linked to global warming.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Geophysics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Global atmospheric circulation patterns are complex and influenced by various factors.
- Understanding decadal changes in the atmosphere is crucial for climate change research.
- Cosmic ray-induced radionuclides offer potential as tracers for atmospheric dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel method for studying global atmospheric processes using beryllium-7.
- To investigate decadal changes in atmospheric circulation and tropopause height.
- To determine the correlation between beryllium-7 concentration changes and solar/geomagnetic activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing ground-level measurements of the cosmogenic radionuclide beryllium-7 as a proxy.
- Tracking aerosol-bound beryllium-7 transport from the stratosphere to the troposphere.
- Analyzing time-series data of beryllium-7 concentrations over the last decade.
Main Results:
- Beryllium-7 measurements successfully tracked tropospheric variations, tropopause height changes, and jet stream dynamics.
- Observed changes in beryllium-7 concentrations were largely independent of solar activity and Earth's magnetic field.
- Significant, progressive changes in global atmospheric circulation and tropopause height were identified over the past decade.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence of ongoing, significant alterations in global atmospheric circulation.
- Modifications in tropopause heights over the last decade are confirmed.
- Observed atmospheric changes are, at least partially, attributable to global warming.
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