Influences of the Clearness Index on UV Solar Radiation for Two Locations in the Tibetan Plateau——Lhasa and Haibei

Ultraviolet （UV） solar radiation has a significant influence on human health, the environment and climate. A series of measurements, including UV radiation （290 400 nm） and global solar radiation （Rs）, were continuously recorded from August 2004 at the Lhasa and Haibei sites on the Tibetan Plateau. Both observation sites＇ altitudes are above 3000 m and have similar meteorological conditions. The data from 2005 2006 was used to identify the varying characteristics of UV radiation. It＇s relation to the clearness index Ks, the relative optical mass mr, and Rs were established. The annual mean values of total daily UV radiation are 0.92 and 0.67 MJ m^-2 at Lhasa and Haibei, respectively. The UV radiation in Lhasa represented 4.6% of the global solar radiation while in Haibei this percentage was 4.2%. In the case of clear days （Ks 〉 0.8）, these percentages ranged between 4.0% and 4.5% in Lhasa and between 5.1% and 5.5% in Haibei. In the case of cloudy days （Ks 〈 0.4）, these percentages ranged from 4.4% to 6.8% in Lhasa and from 5.1% to 5.5% in Haibei. The maximum values of UV radiation for each relative optical mass diminished exponentially with mr. Thus, for Lhasa and Haibei, UV=46.25mr-129, and UV=51.76mr-142, respectively. The results of this study can be used to obtain more UV radiation data for the study of UV climate characteristics, the effects of UV on ecological processes and the feedback of the thinning of the stratospheric ozone, from more routine measurements Rs data.

Forecasting Global Solar Insolation Using the Ensemble Kalman Filter Based Clearness Index Model

This paper describes a novel approach in developing a model for forecasting of global insolation on a horizontal plane.In the proposed forecasting model,constraints,such as latitude and whole precipitable water content in vertical column of that location,are used.These parameters can be easily measurable with a global positioning system(GPS).The earlier model was developed by using the above datasets generated from different locations in India.The model has been verified by calculating theoretical global insolation for different sites covering east,west,north,south and the central region with the measured values from the same locations.The model has also been validated on a region,from which data was not used during the development of the model.In the model,clearness index coefficients(KT)are updated using the ensemble Kalman filter(EnKF)algorithm.The forecasting efficacies using the KT model and EnKF algorithm have also been verified by comparing two popular algorithms,namely the recursive least square(RLS)and Kalman filter(KF)algorithms.The minimum mean absolute percentage error(MAPE),mean square error(MSE)and correlation coefficient(R)value obtained in global solar insolation estimations using EnKF in one of the locations are 2.4%,0.0285 and 0.9866 respectively.

Estimation of Daily Global Solar Radiation with Different Sunshine-Based Models for Some Burundian Stations

Sunshine duration (S) based empirical equations have been employed in this study to estimate the daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface (G) for six meteorological stations in Burundi. Those equations include the Ångström-Prescott linear model and four amongst its derivatives, i.e. logarithmic, exponential, power and quadratic functions. Monthly mean values of daily global solar radiation and sunshine duration data for a period of 20 to 23 years, from the Geographical Institute of Burundi (IGEBU), have been used. For any of the six stations, ten single or double linear regressions have been developed from the above-said five functions, to relate in terms of monthly mean values, the daily clearness index () to each of the next two kinds of relative sunshine duration (RSD): and . In those ratios, G0, S0 and stand for the extraterrestrial daily solar radiation on a horizontal surface, the day length and the modified day length taking into account the natural site’s horizon, respectively. According to the calculated mean values of the clearness index and the RSD, each station experiences a high number of fairly clear (or partially cloudy) days. Estimated values of the dependent variable (y) in each developed linear regression, have been compared to measured values in terms of the coefficients of correlation (R) and of determination (R2), the mean bias error (MBE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the t-statistics. Mean values of these statistical indicators have been used to rank, according to decreasing performance level, firstly the ten developed equations per station on account of the overall six stations, secondly the six stations on account of the overall ten equations. Nevertheless, the obtained values of those indicators lay in the next ranges for all the developed sixty equations:;;;, with . These results lead to assert that any of the sixty developed linear regressions (and thus equations in terms of and ), fits very adequately measured data, and should be used to estimate monthly average daily global solar radiation with sunshine duration for the relevant station. It is also found that using as RSD, is slightly more advantageous than using for estimating the monthly average daily clearness index, . Moreover, values of statistical indicators of this study match adequately data from other works on the same kinds of empirical equations.

Overcast sky condition prevails on and influences the biometeorology of the tropical Andean Páramos

Clouds play a major role in modulating the biometeorological processes. We studied the influence of cloudiness on four biometeorological variables:daily air temperature(Tair), relative humidity(RH),reference evapotranspiration(ETr),and photosynthetic active radiation(PAR), recorded at four sites of Andean Páramos in southern Ecuador during 2.5 to 5.5 years. First, we quantified both the cloud cover percentage(Cloud%) creating cloud masks over the visible bands of Landsat 7 images and the sky condition(K_(T)) using the records of solar and extraterrestrial radiation. Second, we estimated KTfrom Cloud%. Finally, we quantified T_(air), RH, ET_(r), and PAR under clear, cloudy, and overcast K_(T) and their dependence on KT. The average Cloud% ranged between 65%–76%, and KTcorroborated the prevailing overcast sky(between 55% and 72.5% of the days) over the páramos. The proposed model performed well in the sites of calibration(R^(2)= 0.80;MBE = 0.00;RMSE = 0.05) and validation(R^(2)= 0.74;MBE =-0.07;RMSE = 0.11). The overcast sky diminished T_(air)(≤ 10℃), ET_(r)(≤ 1.6 mm day-1), and PAR(4 MJ m^(-2)day^(-1)) and increased RH(≥ 88%),while the variables showed the opposite behavior during the uncommon clear sky(≤ 5.5% of the days).Thus, mostly the dynamic of RH(R^(2)≥ 0.62), ETr(R^(2)≥ 0.85), and PAR(R2≥ 0.77) depended on K_(T). Hence,the prevailing overcast sky influenced the biometeorology of the páramos.

Properties of Solar Radiation over Chinese Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Climatic characteristics of broadband solarradiation (Rs) in Chinese arid and semi-arid areas are reported in this study. The annual average daily Rs in thearid and semi-arid areas is 16.3 ± 5.77 and 15.3 ± 5.16 MJm-2 d-1, respectively. The highest value (17.2 ± 5.84 MJm-2 d-1) appears in an arid area at Linze. The lowest valueappears in the semi-arid area of Ansai. Pronounced seasonal variation of Rs is observed with the highest value insummer and the lowest in winter. The clearness indexshowed similar seasonal pattern at most sites, with theminimum observed in the summer and the highest valuesin winter at both arid and semi-arid areas. The seasonalvariation of the ratio of Rs to its extraterrestrial value Kt inthe arid area is more significant than that observed in thesemi-arid region, and it is caused by the different range ofvariation of water vapor between arid and semi-arid areasThe seasonal fluctuations in Rs and Kt are mainly controlled by the water vapor content in these areas. Theaerosol particles have significant influence on Rs and Kt atstations with higher aerosol burden.

Effects of cloud,atmospheric water vapor,and dust on photosynthetically active radiation and total solar radiation in a Mongolian grassland

Photosynthetically active radiation （PAR） is an important input parameter for estimating plant produc- tivity due to its key role in the growth and development of plants. However, a worldwide routine network for sys- tematic PAR measurements is not yet established, and PAR is often calculated as a constant fraction of total solar radiation （SR）. Although the ratio of PAR to SR （PAR/SR） has been reported from many places, few studies have been performed for dry regions. The present study was therefore carried out in an arid region of Mongolia to obtain PAP-JSR and examine its dependency on sky clearness （the clearness index）, water vapor in the atmosphere and aeolian dust. Continuous measurements of PAR and SR were taken every one second using quantum and pyranometer sensors, respectively, and the readings were averaged and recorded at intervals of 30 minutes for a period of 12 months. The lowest monthly mean daily PAR/SR occurred in April （0.420）, while the highest ratio was observed in July （0.459）. Mean daily PAR/SR during plant growing season （May-August） was estimated to be 0.442, which could be useful for modeling plant productivity in the study area. The annual mean daily PAR/SR （0.435） was lower than the values reported in many previous studies. This difference could be explained with the regional variation in climate： i.e. drier climatic condition in the study area. PAR/SR was negatively correlated with the clearness index （r= -0.36, P〈0.001）, but positively with atmospheric water vapor pressure （r=0.47, P〈0.001）. The average PAR/SR was significantly lower （P=0.02） on the dusty days compared to the non-dust days. Water vapor in the atmosphere was shown to be the strongest factor in the variation of PAR/SR. This is the first study examining PAR/SR under a semi-arid condition in Mongolia.

Impact of Cloud on Net Ecosystem CO_(2) Exchange of Alpine Meadow in Tibetan Plateau

Meteorological elements and CO_(2) fluxes over alpine meadow ecosystem were observed continuously from 2004 to 2005 in Damxung Alpine Meadow Flux Station,China Flux Network.Based on the eddy covariance CO_(2) fluxes and meteorological data obtained,the relationships among the CO_(2) fluxes,the cloud amount,and the meteorological factors in alpine meadow ecosystem were explored and analyzed.Some conclusions can be drawn from the discussion with previous researches as following:(1)the cloud amount can affect the net ecosystem CO_(2) exchange(NEE)of alpine meadow on Tibetan Plateau;(2)the soil temperature sensitive to the cloud amount,is a major environmental controlling factor for NEE,and closely relates to the maximum of NEE.In the moming period with large cloud amount,the NEE reaches its maximum when the clearness index ranges from 0.5 to 0.7;yet in the afternoon it comes to the maximum with the index from 0.2 to 0.35.The span of soil temperature covers from 12 to 15℃as the NEE at its highest;(3)the scatterplots between NEE and photosynthetic available radiation(PAR)was a significant inverse triangle in the clear day,two different kinds of concave curves in the cloudy day,and strongly convergent rectangular hyperbola in the overcast day.These differences were controlled by the changes of light radiation and soil temperature.

Estimation of monthly global solar radiation over twelve major cities of Libya

This study aims to estimate monthly averaged daily horizontal global solar radiation.Measured climatological data collected at twelve major cities located across Libya’s map were used to establish 7 different empirical models.The empirical coefficients of the models were calculated using the least square method.The accuracy of the models was evaluated using different statistical criteria such as Taylor diagram,mean absolute percentage error,MAPE,and root mean square error,RMSE.The results indicated that the sunshine duration-based models are more accurate than air temperature-based models,and the best performance was obtained by the quadratic regression model for all twelve Libyan cities.Moreover,this regression model can be used for the prediction of monthly mean horizontal global solar radiation at a specific site across Libya’s regions with minimum error.Furthermore,the results of the global solar irradiance produced by this method can be used for designing solar systems applications.

Cloudy Sky Conditions Promote Net Ecosystem CO_2 Exchange in a Subtropical Coniferous Plantation across Seasons

Dynamic changes in solar radiation have an important influence on ecosystem carbon sequestration,but the effects of changes caused by sky conditions on net ecosystem CO2 exchange(NEE)are unclear.This study analyzed the effects of sunny,cloudy,and overcast sky conditions on NEE using carbon flux and meteorological data for a subtropical coniferous plantation in 2012.Based on one-year data,we found no seasonal variation in the light response curve under various sky conditions.Compared with sunny sky conditions,the apparent quantum yield(α)and potential photosynthetic rate at a light intensity of 150 and 750 W m^-2(P150 and P750)under cloudy sky conditions increased by an average of 82.3%,217.7%,and 22.5%;αand P150 under overcast sky conditions increased by 118.5%and 301%on average.Moderate radiation conditions were more favorable for maximum NEE,while low radiation conditions inhibited NEE.In most cases,when the sunny NEE was used as a baseline for comparison,the relative change in NEE(%NEE)was positive under cloudy sky conditions and negative under overcast sky conditions.The average maximal%NEE under cloudy sky conditions was 42.4% in spring,34.1% in summer,1.6% in autumn and –87.3% in winter.This study indicates that cloudy sky conditions promote photosynthetic rates and NEE in subtropical coniferous plantations.