Using a Modified Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Scheme(MSPAS)to Simulate the Interaction between Land Surface Processes and Atmospheric Boundary Layer in Semi-Arid Regions

This paper uses a Modified Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Scheme (MSPAS) to study the interaction between land surface and atmospheric boundary layer processes. The scheme is composed of two main parts: atmospheric boundary layer processes and land surface processes. Compared with SiB and BATS, which are famous for their detailed parameterizations of physical variables, this simplified model is more convenient and saves much more computation time. Though simple, the feasibility of the model is well proved in this paper. The numerical simulation results from MSPAS show good agreement with reality. The scheme is used to obtain reasonable simulations for diurnal variations of heat balance, potential temperature of boundary layer, and wind field, and spatial distributions of temperature, specific humidity, vertical velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, and turbulence exchange coefficient over desert and oasis. In addition, MSPAS is used to simulate the interaction between desert and oasis at night, and again it obtains reasonable results. This indicates that MSPAS can be used to study the interaction between land surface processes and the atmospheric boundary layer over various underlying surfaces and can be extended for regional climate and numerical weather prediction study.

Understanding the Interactions between Climate Change,Landscape Evolution,Surface Processes and Tectonics in the Earth System:What Can the Studies of Chinese Deserts Contribute?

Due to large deserts on Earth surface a thorough understanding of climate change, landscape evolution and geomorphological processes having occurred in deserts is crucial for Earth System Science. The landscapes in deserts are, however, diverse and different over the globe with regard to their geomorphological nature, human activities and geological histories. In the last decades a great number of efforts have been put to the investigation of the initial timing of the occurrence of arid climate, e. g. in northwestern China. Silty sediments in the downwind directions have been used to deduce the histories of deserts. In general, there is a lack of knowledge about processes and landscapes in Chinese drylands between the initial Miocene silt sedimentation at desert margins and the late Quaternary multiple occurrences of wetter climate with assumed large lakes in many of the deserts in northern China. The geomorphological concept of three primary triggering factors, i.e., the sediment supply, sediment availability and transport capacity of wind, and additionally the underground geology need to be fully considered for a better understanding of the environmental histories of sand seas which should not be viewed as equivalent for deserts because sand seas cover between 〈 1% and ca. 45% of the desert areas in various continents dependent on a complex interaction between various processes of both exogenous and endogenous origins.

An overview of the spatial patterns of land surface processes over arid and semiarid regions

With data from the project Collaborative Observation of Semi-arid/Arid Regions in North China, collected during July and September 2008, the spatial patterns of land surface processes over arid and semiarid regions have been investigated based on the ordinary Kriging interpolation approach. Generally, for the radiation processes, downward and upward short-wave radiation have a uniformly increasing trend with latitude, but the spatial patterns of long-wave radiation present notable regional differences: both upward and downward long-wave radiation increase with latitude in the west of North China, while in the east they vary inversely with latitude, suggesting surface temperature and clouds respectively have feedbacks to the long-wave radiation in the west and east of North China. The surface net radiation basically has a negative latitudinal trend. Long-wave radiation budget plays an important role in the spatial pattern of surface net radiation, particularly in the east of North China, although short-wave radiation budget largely determines the magnitude of surface net radiation. For the energy processes, latent and sensible heat flux varies conversely with latitude: more available land surface energy is consumed by evaporating soil water at lower latitudes while more is used for heating the atmosphere at higher latitudes. A soil heat flux maximum and minimum are found in Loess Plateau and Qinghai Plateau respectively, and a maximum is seen in the northeast China.

EFFECT OF INITIAL PERTURBATION OF LAND SURFACE PROCESSES ON TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST

Many studies have explored the importance and influence of planetary boundary layer processes on tropical cyclones (TCs). However, few studies have focused on the influence of land surface processes on the activity of TCs. To test the effect of initial perturbations of land surface processes on TCs, a land surface process perturbation module is built in a global ensemble prediction system. Ensemble experiments for the TCs that occurred from 12 UTC 22 August to 18 UTC 24 November, 2006 show that consideration of the uncertainties within the land surface process could increase the predictability of the global ensemble prediction system. Detailed analysis on TC Xangsane (2006) indicates that the perturbation of land surface processes may increase the variation of sensible heat flux and latent heat flux. Meanwhile, the effect from land surface perturbation can be transferred to the upper atmosphere, which leads to better TC forecasts.

Key regions where land surface processes shape the East Asian climate

Land-atmosphere interaction,as one of the key processes affecting the atmosphere and climate over East Asia,has drawn increasing attention during the past few decades.However,the current level of understanding regarding the mechanisms through which land surface processes impact the East Asian climate needs to be improved.Based on existing studies,six key regions where land surface processes affect the East Asian climate are proposed in this study,which can provide a valuable reference for future research into land-atmosphere interaction in East Asia.

Earth surface processes and their effects on human behavior in monsoonal China during the Pleistocene-Holocene epochs

There is a wide diversity of landforms in China. The topography of three major ter- races, decreasing in height stepwise from west to east, was formed by the early Miocene. With the commencement of the Great Northern Hemisphere Glaciations （GHGs） and the glacial-interglacial cycles in the Pleistocene, thick loess deposits accumulated in north China, and fluvial terraces were formed and lakes expanded and contracted in eastern and central China. The earliest evidence of hominins in China is dated to ~1.7 Ma; they occupied the monsoon-dominated region for a long interval, until the late Pleistocene, ~50 ka. In this study, we investigated a large area rich in the relics and artifacts of early man. The results indicate that the early humans occupied riverine areas, especially medium-sized fluvial basins, and lake shores. Even in the relatively recent geological past, the occupation and abandonment of settlements were directly forced by the shifting of sand dune fields in the desert-loess transi- tional zone, which in turn was closely associated with variations in the monsoon climate and vegetation patterns. Our observations indicate that landforms were one of the main determi- nants of early human behavior, in that loess tableland, large alluvial plains, desert-Gobi areas, and the Tibetan Plateau, were not suitable environments for early human settlement. We infer that the early humans in China adapted their behavior to specific landforms and landform processes. The monsoon climate, which shapes the large-scale step-like pattern of fluvial landforms, promotes vegetation coverage and dominates soil formation, provides a crucial context for early human adaptation. The adaptation of early humans to earth surface proc- esses in East Asia is investigated for the first time in this study. Future investigations will provide further information that will increase our understanding of the linkage between early human behavior and landform processes in East Asia.

Offline experiment of land surface processes in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

The observational data of Beiluhe test of the Qinghai-Xizang railway in June 2002 are used as forcing field of the surface model to study the simulation performance in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The simulation result shows that the model (NCAR/LSM) can present the surface character tendency reasonably under observation forcing. In NCAR/LSM, the descriptions of the surface vegetation type in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau have much difference to what is actually happening. According to the actual characteristic of the surface, we define the grassland vegetation coverage rate is 0.6, and the vegetation canopy is 0.15 m, and the displacement height is 0.10 m. Compared the results with the old model's parameter in experiment, we find that the simulation air (2 m) temperature and the ground temperature are close to those of the observation, and the simulation temperature of peak value is better, and the simulation flux of the ground is sure to be improved too. So, if the surface and vegetation parameters are revised in LSM model, the simulation capability of the land surface process model can be improved effectively in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

The Observed and Simulated Major Summer Climate Features in Northwest China and Their Sensitivity to Land Surface Processes

Northwest China （NWC） is a typical arid and semi-arid region. In this study, the main summer climate features over NWC are presented and the performance of an atmospheric general circulation model （NCEP GCM/SSiB） over this region is evaluated. Satellite-derived vegetation products are applied in the model. Based on comparison with observational data and Reanalysis II data, the model generally captures major features of the NWC summer energy balance and circulation. These features include： a high surface tem- perature center dominating the planetary boundary layer; widespread descending motion; an anticyclone （cyclone） located in the lower and middle （upper） troposphere, covering most parts of central NWC; and the precipitation located mainly in the high elevation areas surrounding NWC. The sensitivity of the summer energy balance and circulation over NWC and surrounding regions to land surface processes is assessed with specified land cover change. In the sensitivity experiment, the degradation over most parts of NWC, except the Taklimakan desert, decreases the surface-absorbed radiation and leads to weaker surface thermal effects. In northern Xinjiang and surrounding regions, less latent heating causes stronger anomalous lower-level anticyclonic circulation and upper-level cyclonic circulation, leading to less summer precipitation and higher surface temperature. Meanwhile, the dry conditions in the Hexi Corridor produce less change in the latent heat flux. The circulation change to the north of this area plays a domi- nant role in indirectly changing lower-level cyclonic conditions, producing more convergence, weaker vertical descending motion, and thus an increase in the precipitation over this region.

Studies of surface processes of electrocatalytic reduction of CO_(2) on Pt(210), Pt(310) and Pt(510)

Surface processes of CO_(2)reduction on Pt(210),Pt(310),and Pt(510)electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry.Different surface structures of these platinum single crystal electrodes were obtained by various treatment conditions.The experimental results illustrated that the electrocatalytic activity of Pt single crystal electrodes towards CO_(2)reduction is decreased in an order of Pt(210)>Pt(310)>Pt(510),i.e.,with the decrease of(110)step density on well-defined surfaces.When the surfaces were reconstructed due to oxygen adsorption,the catalytic activity of all the three electrodes has been enhanced to a cer-tain extent.Although the activity order remains unchanged,the electrocatalytic activity has been en-hanced more significantly as the density of(110)step sites is more intensive on the Pt single crystal surface.It has revealed that the more open the surface structure is,the more active the Pt single crystal electrode will be,and the easier for the electrode to be transformed into a surface structure that exhib-its higher activity under external inductions.However,the relatively ordered surfaces of Pt single crystal electrode are comparatively stable under the same external inductions.The present study has gained knowledge on the interaction between CO_(2)and Pt single crystal electrode surfaces at a micro-scopic level,and thrown new insight into understanding the surface processes of electrocatalytic re-duction of CO_(2).

Surface runoff processes and sustainable utilization of water resources in Manas River Basin, Xinjiang, China

Water is the important resource to guarantee the existence and development of oases in arid areas. To improve the utilization efficiency of water resources in Manas River Basin, this paper investigated the trends and periods of runoff based on the runoff and climate data for the past 50 years. Subsequently, with the socioeconomic and water resources data, we studied a comprehensive evaluation on the water security in this area. The results indicated that the stream flows in the three hydrological stations of Hongshanzui, Kensiwat and Bajiahu have sig- nificantly increased and undergone abrupt changes, with periods of 18 and 20 years. According to assessment, water security in the Manas River Basin was at an unsafe level in 2008. In criterion layer, the ecological security index and the index of supply-demand situation are both at the relatively secure level; the quantity index and so- cioeconomic index of water resources are at the unsafe level and basic security level, respectively. Therefore, in order to achieve sustainable economic and social development within the Manas River Basin, it is vital to take a series of effective measures to improve the status of water security.

A CLOUD-RESOLVING MODELING STUDY OF SURFACE RAINFALL PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH LANDFALLING TYPHOON KAEMI(2006)

The detailed surface rainfall processes associated with landfalling typhoon Kaemi（2006） are investigated based on hourly data from a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model simulation. The model is integrated for 6 days with imposed large-scale vertical velocity, zonal wind, horizontal temperature and vapor advection from National Center for Environmental Prediction （NCEP） / Global Data Assimilation System （GDAS） data. The simulation data are validated with observations in terms of surface rain rate. The Root-Mean-Squared （RMS） difference in surface rain rate between the simulation and the gauge observations is 0.660 mm h^-1, which is smaller than the standard deviations of both the simulated rain rate （0.753 mm h^-1） and the observed rain rate （0.833 mm h^-1）. The simulation data are then used to study the physical causes associated with the detailed surface rainfall processes during the landfall. The results show that time averaged and model domain-mean Ps mainly comes from large-scale convergence （QWVF） and local vapor loss （positive QWVT）. Large underestimation （about 15%） of Ps will occur if QWVT and QCM （cloud source/sink） are not considered as contributors to Ps ,QWVF accounts for the variation of P during most of the integration time, while it is not always a contributor to Ps,Sometimes surface rainfall could occur when divergence is dominant with local vapor loss to be a contributor to Ps - Surface rainfall is a result ofmulti-timescale interactions. QWVE possesses the longest time scale and the lowest frequeney the second and QCM of variation with time and may exert impact on P on longer time scales. QWVF possesses longest time scale and lowest frequency and can explain most of the variation of Ps. QWVT possess shorter time scales and higher frequencies, which can explain more detailed variations in Ps. Partitioning analysis shows that stratiform rainfall is dominant from the morning of 26 July till the late night of 27 July. After that, convective rainfall dominates till about 1000 LST 28 July. Before 28 July, the variations of QWVT in rainfall-free regions contribute less to that of the domain-mean QWVT while after that they contribute much, which is consistent to the corresponding variations in their fractional coverage. The variations of QWVF in rainfall regions are the main contributors to that of the domain-mean QWVF, then the main contributors to the surface rain rate before the afternoon of 28 July.

A Modeling Study of Surface Rainfall Processes Associated with a Torrential Rainfall Event over Hubei,China,during July 2007

The surface rainfall processes associated with the torrential rainfall event over Hubei,China,during July 2007 were investigated using a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model.The model integrated the large-scale vertical velocity and zonal wind data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction（NCEP）/Global Data Assimilation System（GDAS） for 5 days.The time and model domain mean surface rain rate was used to identify the onset,mature,and decay periods of rainfall.During the onset period,the descending motion data imposed in the lower troposphere led to a large contribution of stratiform rainfall to the model domain mean surface rainfall.The local atmospheric drying and transport of rain from convective regions mainly contributes to the stratiform rainfall.During the mature periods,the ascending motion data integrated into the model was so strong that water vapor convergence was the dominant process for both convective and stratiform rainfall.Both convective and stratiform rainfalls made important contributions to the model domain mean surface rainfall.During the decay period,descending motion data input into the model prevailed,making stratiform rainfall dominant.Stratiform rainfall was mainly caused by the water vapor convergence over raining stratiform regions.

Simulation Experiments of Land Surface Physical Processes and Ecological Effect over Different Underlying Surface

Based on the existing Land Surface Physical Process Models(Deardorff, Dickinson, LIU, Noilhan, Seller, ZHAO), a Comprehensive Land Surface Physical Process Model (CLSPPM) is developed by considering the different physical processes of the earth's surface-vegetation-atmosphere system more completely. Compared with SiB and BATS, which are famous for their detailed parameterizations of physical variables, this simplified model is more convenient and saves much more computation time. Though simple, the feas...

Microstructure and texture evolution in titanium subjected to friction roll surface processing and subsequent annealing

Commercial purity and high purity titanium sheets were initially strained by a new technique, named as friction roll surface processing （FRSP）. Severe strain was imposed into the surface layer and strain gradient was formed through the thickness of the sheet. The microstructure and texture in as-strained state were investigated by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique On the surface of the sheets, ultra-fine grains were found to have a sharp texture with a preferred orientation strongly related to the FRSP direction. The evolution of microstructure and crystallographic texture of FRSPed samples during recrystallization were also studied by electron back-scattered diffraction （EBSD） technique after being annealed at selected temperatures and time. The results indicated that the preferred orientations resulting from FRSP and annealing in the surface layer were formed during rolling and its recrystallization textures were reduced by FRSP. In addition, the texture evolved stably without change in main components during the annealing.

The Sensitivity of Ground Surface Temperature Prediction to Soil Thermal Properties Using the Simple Biosphere Model(SiB2)

Using the Simple Biosphere Model （SiB2）, soil thermal properties （STP） were examined in a Tibetan prairie during the monsoon period to investigate ground surface temperature prediction. We improved the SiB2 model by incorporating a revised force-restore method （FRM） to take the vertical heterogeneity of soil thermal diffusivity （k） into account. The results indicate that （1） the revised FRM alleviates daytime overestimation and nighttime underestimation in modeled ground surface temperature （Tg）, and （2） its role in little rainfall events is significant because the vertical gradient of k increases with increasing surface evaporation. Since the original formula of thermal conductivity （A） in the SiB2 greatly underestimates soil thermal conductivity, we compared five Mgorithms of A involving soil moisture to investigate the cause of overestimation during the day and underestimation at night on the basis of the revised FRM. The results show that （1） the five algorithms significantly improve Tg prediction, especially in daytime, and （2） taking one of these five algorithms as an example, the simulated Tg values in the daytime are closer to the field measurements than those in the nighttime. The differences between modeled Tg and field measurements are mostly within the margin of error of -4-2 K during 3 August to 4 September 1998.

The Effects of Land Surface Process Perturbations in a Global Ensemble Forecast System

Atmospheric variability is driven not only by internal dynamics, but also by external forcing, such as soil states, SST, snow, sea-ice cover, and so on. To investigate the forecast uncertainties and effects of land surface processes on numerical weather prediction, we added modules to perturb soil moisture and soil temperature into NCEP＇s Global Ensemble Forecast System （GEFS）, and compared the results of a set of experiments involving different configurations of land surface and atmospheric perturbation. It was found that uncertainties in different soil layers varied due to the multiple timescales of interactions between land surface and atmospheric processes. Perturbations of the soil moisture and soil temperature at the land surface changed sensible and latent heat flux obviously, as compared to the less or indirect land surface perturbation experiment from the day-to-day forecasts. Soil state perturbations led to greater variation in surface heat fluxes that transferred to the upper troposphere, thus reflecting interactions and the response to atmospheric external forcing. Various verification scores were calculated in this study. The results indicated that taking the uncertainties of land surface processes into account in GEFS could contribute a slight improvement in forecast skill in terms of resolution and reliability, a noticeable reduction in forecast error, as well as an increase in ensemble spread in an under-dispersive system. This paper provides a preliminary evaluation of the effects of land surface processes on predictability. Further research using more complex and suitable methods is needed to fully explore our understanding in this area.

Failure mechanisms and surface treatment processes of thermal barrier coatings:Review

Thermal Barrier Coatings(TBCs)technology is key to improving the service temperature and the productivity of aircraft engines.The performance and failure life of TBCs are strongly influenced by surface integrity and microstructure.Therefore,recognizing failure mechanisms and developing effective surface treatment processes are crucial for further improving the reliability and durability of TBCs.This paper explains the primary reasons for TBC failure,emphasizing on how integrity of surface and interface influences interfacial oxidation,high-temperature erosion,and Calcium-Magnesium-Alumina-Silicate(CMAS)corrosion.Furthermore,this paper completely and rigorously evaluates the research status of TBCs surface treatment processes,including the characteristics and effects of various processes,and describes the requirements and goals of pretreatment and post-treatment.In addition,a potential direction for the development and application of TBCs surface treatment is suggested.

Progresses and future directions on yardangs

Background,aim,and scope Yardang is a kind of typical wind-eroded landform in arid zones both on Earth and other planets.Their geomorphic process records the surface changes and climate,which may play a vital role in exploring the coupled landform-atmosphere system in arid zones.Recently,significant progresses have been made in this research field,and a review is still absent,which is the aim of the paper.Materials and methods Previous studies on the distribution,composition,morphology,and climatic driving force of yardang landform were reviewed.Results Earth yardang’s three evolutionary models were generalized:morphology evolution model,altitude evolution model and climate driven evolution model.Extraterrestrial yardang and its evolution are also summarized:the morphology is dominated by long ridges on Venus and Titan,and three yardang evolution hypotheses and an indirect dating method based on stratigraphic contact have been studied on Mars.Discussion In this study,firstly,the definition and morphology of yardang were described to define its characteristics.Secondly,we argue that yardang evolution has two dimensions:short-term variation and longterm variation.In the short-term variation,the morphological evolution of yardang on earth can be divided into four stages:embryonic stage,juvenile stage,mature stage,and demise stage.In the long-term variation,the evolution of yardang on earth is climate-driven,i.e.,it is controlled by atmospheric circulation changes during glacial-interglacial periods.Thirdly,yardang research on extraterrestrial bodies was also summarized:yardang has been found on Mars,Venus,and Titan,and the research focus by far are on geomorphology only.Conclusions(1)Yardang landform is an erosion landform with alternating ridges and troughs,with main form of whale back shape and fluctuations in the range of aspect ratios;(2)the short-term variation of yardang is manifested in its morphological evolution and height change,while the long-term variation is climate-driven;(3)based on Earth yardang,extraterrestrial yardang research has been carried out on Mars,Venus,and Titan.Recommendations and perspectives We then proposed that:(1)yardang formation ages,due to the erosion characteristics,are difficult to constraint;(2)the wind erosion capacity in the yardang areas might have been severely underestimated,making it essential to re-evaluate the previous paleoclimate reconstruction in the closed basins with limited chronological data;(3)yardang evolution is driven by climate change,but the coupling relationship between the yardang geomorphy and the air circulation is still unclear.Finally,future research directions:(1)more chronological data are needed,as well as the wind erosion capacity for yardang initiation and development;(2)the co-evolution of mid-low latitude landforms involved in yardang long-term variation and its relationship with global atmospheric circulation.

Improved efficiency and stability of inverse perovskite solar cells via passivation cleaning

Amidst the global energy and environmental crisis,the quest for efficient solar energy utilization intensifies.Perovskite solar cells,with efficiencies over 26%and cost-effective production,are at the forefront of research.Yet,their stability remains a barrier to industrial application.This study introduces innovative strategies to enhance the stability of inverted perovskite solar cells.By bulk and surface passivation,defect density is reduced,followed by a"passivation cleaning"using Apacl amino acid salt and isopropyl alcohol to refine film surface quality.Employing X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscope(SEM),and atomic force microscopy(AFM),we confirmed that this process effectively neutralizes surface defects and curbs non-radiative recombination,achieving 22.6%efficiency for perovskite solar cells with the composition Cs_(0.15)FA_(0.85)PbI_(3).Crucially,the stability of treated cells in long-term tests has been markedly enhanced,laying groundwork for industrial viability.

A Modeling Study of Land Surface Process Impacts on Inland Behavior of Typhoon Rananim(2004)

On 12 August 2004, Typhoon Rananim （0414） moved inland over China and stagnated over the Poyang Lake area, resulting in torrential rainfall and severe geologic hazards. The Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting （ARW-WRF） model and its different land surface models （LSMs） were employed to study the impacts of land surface process on the inland behavior of Typhoon Rananim. Results show that simulations, coupled with LSMs or not, have no significant differences in predicting typhoon track, intensity, and largescale circulation. However, the simulations of mesoscale structure, rainfall rate, and rainfall distribution of typhoon are more reasonable with LSMs than without LSMs. Although differences are slight among LSMs, NOAH is better than the others. Based on outputs using the NOAH scheme, the interaction between land surtace and typhoon was explored in this study. Notably, typhoon rainfall and cloud cover can cool land surface, but rainfall expands the underlying saturated wetland area, which exacerbates the asymmetric distribution of surface heat fluxes. Accordingly, an energy frontal zone may form in the lower troposphere that enhances ascending motion and local convection, resulting in heavier rainfall. Moreover, the expanded underlying saturated wetlands provide plentiful moisture and unstable energy for the maintenance of Typhoon Rananim and increased rainfall in return.