Abstract
There are several inherent problems in attributing pollution concentrations to changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation: (1) the year to year variability being modulated by both, changes in circulation and changes in upwind emissions, (2) the shorter life-time of some pollutants precluding a meaningful relationship with changes in circulation, and (3) the both-ways interaction between trace gases, aerosols and climate. Simulations of transport of anthropogenic CO for high and low phases of the NAO are presented followed by an observational-based study relating the ozone seasonal variability across North Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean to the NAO. Both phases of the NAO controlling dust transport to the Mediterranean are described: the positive phase during summer over the western region and the negative one regulating dust transport over the Eastern Mediterranean in winter. Low NAO indices have been related to a higher cyclonic activity over the western basin. On the contrary, other studies found no correlation between annual wet deposition of African dust-related elements and the NAO. Although, at present, there is no consensus on the process responsible for the observed low-frequency variations in the NAO, most of them predict the continuation of the positive NAO state until the mid twenty-first century implying a predominantly zonal circulation over the western Mediterranean. This imply a reduced import of European trace gases, an enhancement of long range transport of air pollutants from North American sources and conditions in favor of mobilization and transport of North African dust mainly to the western part of this fragile basin.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Advances in Global Change Research |
Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
Pages | 171-181 |
Number of pages | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2011 |
Publication series
Name | Advances in Global Change Research |
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Volume | 46 |
ISSN (Print) | 1574-0919 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 2215-1621 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2011, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Keywords
- Air Pollution
- Atmospheric circulation
- Environment
- Mediterranean Basin
- NAO