Analysis of Summer Cold Vortex Activity Anomalies in Northeastern China and Their Relationship with Regional Precipitation and Temperature

The Northeastern China cold vortex(NCCV)is one type of strong cyclonic vortex that occurs near Northeastern China(NEC),and NCCV activities are typically accompanied by a series of hazardous weather.This paper employed an automatic algorithm to identify the NCCVs from 1979 to 2018 and analyzed their circulation patterns and climatic impacts by using the defined NCCV intensity index(NCCVI).The analysis revealed that the NCCV activities in summer exhibited a strong inter-annual variability,with an obvious periodicity of 3-4 years and 6-7 years,but without significant trends.In years when the NCCVI was high,NEC experienced negative geopotential height anomalies,cyclonic circulation,and cooler temperature anomalies,which were conducive to the maintenance and development of NCCV activities.Furthermore,large amounts of water vapor converged in NEC through two transportation routes as the NCCVs intensified,leading to a significant positive(negative)correlation with the summer precipitation(surface temperature)in NEC.The Atlantic sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies were closely related to summer NCCV activities.As the Atlantic SST rose,large amounts of surface sensible and latent heat flux were transported into the lower troposphere,inducing a positive geopotential height anomaly that occurred on the east side of the heat source.As a result,an eastward diverging flow was formed in the upper troposphere and propagated downstream,i.e.,the eastward propagating Rossby wave train,which eventually led to a coupled circulation in the Ural Mountains and NEC,as well as more intensive NCCV activities in summer.

Diversity on the Interannual Variations of Spring Monthly Precipitation in Southern China and the Associated Tropical Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies

There is a continuous and relatively stable rainy period every spring in southern China(SC).This spring precipitation process is a unique weather and climate phenomenon in East Asia.Previously,the variation characteristics and associated mechanisms of this precipitation process have been mostly discussed from the perspective of seasonal mean.Based on the observed and reanalysis datasets from 1982 to 2021,this study investigates the diversity of the interannual variations of monthly precipitation in spring in SC,and focuses on the potential influence of the tropical sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies.The results show that the interannual variations of monthly precipitation in spring in SC have significant differences,and the correlations between each two months are very weak.All the interannual variations of precipitation in three months are related to a similar western North Pacific anomalous anticyclone(WNPAC),and the southwesterlies at the western flank of WNPAC bring abundant water vapor for the precipitation in SC.However,the WNPAC is influenced by tropical SST anomalies in different regions each month.The interannual variation of precipitation in March in SC is mainly influenced by the signal of El Nino-Southern Oscillation,and the associated SST anomalies in the equatorial central-eastern Pacific regulate the WNPAC through the Pacific-East Asia(PEA)teleconnection.In contrast,the WNPAC associated with the interannual variation of precipitation in April can be affected by the SST anomalies in the northwestern equatorial Pacific through a thermally induced Rossby wave response.The interannual variation of precipitation in May is regulated by the SST anomalies around the western Maritime Continent,which stimulates the development of low-level anomalous anticyclones over the South China Sea and east of the Philippine Sea by driving anomalous meridional vertical circulation.

Shallow Analysis on the First Spring Soaking Rain Weather and Its Precipitation Enhancement Potential Forecast in Jinzhou Area in 2010

[Objective] The research aimed to study the first spring soaking rain weather and its precipitation enhancement potential forecast in Jinzhou area in 2010. [Method] From the weather situation characteristics, main influence system, forecast service, artificial precipitation enhancement operation and so on, the first spring soaking rain weather process in Jinzhou area in 2010 was summarized comprehensively. [Result] The weather situation characteristics of soaking rain were that the high-altitude cold air was weak, and the low-level warm wet airflow was obvious. The main influence systems were the high-altitude trough, the high-altitude shear line and the ground Mongolian cyclone. The ground inverted trough system advanced northward and got through with the same phase of Mongolian cyclone, which provided the certain energy and water vapor for the precipitation in Jinzhou area. It was one of key reasons for generating the soaking rain. The numerical forecast product played the certain guidance role in the forecast service work. The situation field forecast was accurate, but the precipitation forecast deviation was big. Therefore, the forecast service couldn’t depend on the numerical forecast product simply and totally, and should combine with the actual monitoring data to analyze and apply comprehensively. [Conclusion] The research played the safeguarding role in carrying out the large-scale artificial precipitation enhancement operation successfully in the whole area of Jinzhou.

Hardening effect and precipitation evolution of an isothermal aged Mg-Sm based alloy

The age-hardening behavior and precipitation evolution of an isothermal aged Mg-5Sm-0.6Zn-0.5Zr(wt.%) alloy have been systematically investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM). The Vickers hardness of the present alloy increases first and then decreases with ageing time. The sample aged at 200 ℃ for 10 h exhibits a peak-hardness of 90.5 HV. In addition to the dominant β_(0)’ precipitate(orthorhombic,a = 0.642 nm, b = 3.336 nm and c = 0.521 nm) formed on {11-20}α planes, a certain number of γ’’ precipitate(hexagonal, a = 0.556 nm and c = 0.431 nm) formed on basal planes are also observed in the peak-aged alloy. Significantly, the basal γ’’ precipitate is more thermostable than prismatic β_(0)’ precipitate in the present alloy. β_(0)’ precipitates gradually coarsened and were even likely to transform into β_(1) phase(face centered cubic, a = 0.73 nm) with the increase of ageing time, which accordingly led to a gradual decrease in number density of precipitates and finally resulted in the decreased hardness and mechanical property in the over-aged alloys.

Jonzac Thermal Spring Water Reinforces Skin Barrier Function of Human Skin and Presents a Soothing and Regenerating Effect

The skin is a formidable physical and biological barrier which communicates continuously with the outside of the body. And the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human epidermis, plays a central role in the interaction between the cutaneous tissue and the external environment. The horny layer, and more generally the whole skin layers, avoid the penetration of harmful exogenous agents, produce molecules named anti-microbial peptides which impact the composition of the cutaneous microbiota, regulate the internal corporal temperature, avoid the water loss from the inside of the body and constitute an incredible efficient anti-oxidant network. Nevertheless, nowadays, the skin is more and more solicited by the different elements of the cutaneous exposome, including atmospheric pollution and solar radiations, which can cause a dramatic acceleration of the skin ageing process. As a consequence, due to the multifunctional protective role of the skin, during the recent decade the cosmetic industry invested massively in the development of new raw materials and end-products (dermo-cosmetics) able to preserve an optimal state of the skin regarding the external environment. Based on their physical-chemical properties thermal spring waters, which are extremely rich in inorganics ions, are interesting and powerful candidates to be part, as integral component, of new efficient dermo-cosmetic formulations dedicated to protect the skin from the external stimuli. The aim of the present work was to investigate and characterize the activity of Jonzac thermal spring water on the skin. Using different models, we proved for the first time that Jonzac thermal spring water reinforces the barrier function of the skin by modulating the expression of key markers including filaggrin and human beta defensin 2 on ex vivo human skin. The ex vivo and in vivo hydration activity, by Raman spectroscopy and corneometry respectively, has been also demonstrated. We have also shown that Jonzac thermal spring water ameliorates significantly the cutaneous microrelief in vivo. To conclude, we characterize the soothing effect of Jonzac thermal spring water by the analysis of histamine release in Substance P treated skin explants and by measuring the redness of the skin following UV exposure of the skin in vivo. We observed that both parameters decreased following a preventive treatment of the skin with Jonzac thermal spring water. Taken together our results indicate that Jonzac thermal spring water is a promising and powerful dermo-cosmetic which can be used to preserve an optimal state of the cutaneous tissue.

Precursor Role of Winter Sea-Ice in the Labrador Sea for Following-Spring Precipitation over Southeastern North America and Western Europe

The role of winter sea-ice in the Labrador Sea as a precursor for precipitation anomalies over southeastern North America and Western Europe in the following spring is investigated. In general terms, as the sea ice increases, the precipitation also increases. In more detail, however, analyses indicate that both the winter sea-ice and the sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies related to increases in winter sea-ice in the Labrador Sea can persist into the following spring. These features play a forcing role in the spring atmosphere, which may be the physical mechanism behind the observational relationship between the winter sea-ice and spring precipitation anomalies. The oceanic forcings in spring include Arctic sea-ice anomalies and SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific and high-latitude North Atlantic. Multi-model Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 and Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project simulation results show that the atmospheric circulation response to the combination of sea-ice and SST is similar to that observed, which suggests that the oceanic forcings are indeed the physical reason for the enhanced spring precipitation. Sensitivity experiments conducted using an atmospheric general circulation model indicate that the increases in precipitation over southeastern North America are mainly attributable to the effect of the SST anomalies, while the increases over Western Europe are mainly due to the sea-ice anomalies. Although model simulations reveal that the SST anomalies play the primary role in the precipitation anomalies over southeastern North America, the observational statistical analyses indicate that the area of sea-ice in the Labrador Sea seems to be the precursor that best predicts the spring precipitation anomaly.

THE EFFECT OF EQUATORIAL CENTRAL PACIFIC SSTAS ON THE INTERANNUAL VARIATION OF PRECIPITATION OVER SOUTHWEST CHINA DURING SPRING

The interannual variations of rainfall over southwest China(SWC) during spring and its relationship with sea surface temperature anomalies(SSTAs) in the Pacific are analyzed, based on monthly mean precipitation data from 26 stations in SWC between 1961 and 2010, NCEP/NCAR re-analysis data, and Hadley global SST data. Sensitivity tests are conducted to assess the response of precipitation in SWC to SSTAs over two key oceanic domains, using the global atmospheric circulation model ECHAM5. The interannual variation of rainfall over SWC in spring is very significant.There are strong negative(positive) correlation coefficients between the anomalous precipitation over SWC and SSTAs over the equatorial central Pacific(the mid-latitude Pacific) during spring. Numerical simulations show that local rainfall in the northwest of the equatorial central Pacific is suppressed, and a subtropical anticyclone circulation anomaly is produced, while a cyclonic circulation anomaly in the mid-latitude western Pacific occurs, when the equatorial Pacific SSTAs are in a cold phase in spring. Anomalous northerly winds appear in the northeastern part of SWC in the lower troposphere. Precipitation increases over the Maritime Continent of the western equatorial Pacific, while a cyclonic circulation anomaly appears in the northwest of the western equatorial Pacific. A trough over the Bay of Bengal enhances the southerly flow in the south of SWC. The trough also enhances the transport of moisture to SWC. The warm moisture intersects with anomalous cold air over the northeast of SWC, and so precipitation increases during spring. On the interannual time scale, the impacts of the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs on rainfall in SWC during spring are not significant, because the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs are affected by the equatorial central Pacific SSTAs; that is,the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs are a feedback to the circulation anomaly caused by the equatorial central Pacific SSTAs.

CLIMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPRING PRECIPITATION OVER SOUTHERN CHINA AND ITS INTRASEASONAL OSCILLATION

Based on observations and reanalysis data,the characteristics of the evolution of climatological spring precipitation over Southern China(SPSC) and the associated climatological intraseasonal oscillation(CISO) and atmospheric circulation are studied.Results show that SPSC increases in an oscillatory way.Although the evolution of SPSC is similar in different regions,there are also differences.In different regions of Southern China,the onset dates of the rain season are from the 12 th to 24 th pentad and the peak dates are after the 20 th pentad.CISO is an important component of SPSC,which is not only statistically significant,but also accompanies a dynamically coherent structure.The peak wet/dry phase of each CISO cycle corresponds to a significant rainfall increasing/decreasing period and modulates the evolution of SPSC.The rainfall growth in the second half of March and mid-April is the result of the modulation.The wet/dry phase of CISO is accompanied by low-level convergent(upper-level divergent) and cyclonic(anti-cyclonic) circulation,which favors ascending motion to develop over Southern China.

Strengthened influence of the East Asian trough on spring extreme precipitation variability over eastern Southwest China after the late 1980s

The relationship between variations in the East Asian trough(EAT)intensity and spring extreme precipitation over Southwest China(SWC)during 1961-2020 is investigated.The results indicate that there is an interdecadal increase in the relationship between the EAT and spring extreme precipitation over eastern SWC around the late1980 s.During the latter period,the weak(strong)EAT corresponds to a strong and large-scale anomalous anticyclone(cyclone)over the East Asia-Northwest Pacific region.The EAT-related anomalous southerlies(northerlies)dominate eastern SWC,leading to significant upward(downward)motion and moisture convergence(divergence)over the region,providing favorable(unfavorable)dynamic and moisture conditions for extreme precipitation over eastern SWC.In contrast,during the former period,the EAT-related circulation anomalies are weak and cover a relatively smaller region,which cannot significantly affect the moisture and dynamic conditions over eastern SWC;therefore,the response in extreme precipitation over eastern SWC to EAT is weak over the period.The interdecadal change in the relationship between eastern SWC spring extreme precipitation and the EAT could be related to the interdecadal change in the EAT variability.The large(small)variability of the EAT is associated with significant(insignificant)changes in spring extreme precipitation over eastern SWC during the latter(former)period.

Influence of the Eastern Indian Ocean Warm Pool Variability on the Spring Precipitation in China

The relationship between the variability of the Eastern India Ocean Warm Pool (EIWP) and the spring precipitation in China is studied in the paper based on an analysis of the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data, the reanalysis data of monthly grid wind field at 925 hPa with a resolution of 2.5° latitude and longitude from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR),and the monthly mean rainfall data from 160 observational stations in China. The results show that there is a strong correlation between the EIWP variability and the spring precipitation in China. The area, volume and intensity indices of the EIWP are negatively correlated with the spring precipitation in southwestern China, while they are positively correlated with the spring precipitation in the rest of China, especially in the northeast. For this correlation between the EIWP variability and the spring precipitation in China, it is found that the correlative relationship is mainly connected with the variations of the moisture transport by the warm air flow, which is under the influence of the EIWP variability, into the inland of China in spring. Two causative factors may influence this transport. One is the variation of the moisture transport carried by the warm air flow from the Arabian Sea influenced by the EIWP variability. The other is the variation of the equator-crossing flow (70°-90°E) influenced by the EIWP anomaly in the previous winter which exerts its effect on the moist warm air transported from the Southern Hemisphere. The position and intensity of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH)variability caused by EIWP variation also influence the spring precipitation in China.

Distribution of winter-spring snow over the Tibetan Plateau and its relationship with summer precipitationin Yangtze River

The distribution of winter-spring snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau （TP） and its relationship with summer precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River Valley （MLYRV） during 2003-2013 have been investigated with the moderate-resolution imaging spectrometer （MODIS） Terra data （MOD10A2） and precipitation observations. Results show that snow cover percentage （SCP） remains approximately 20% in winter and spring then tails off to below 5% with warmer temperature and snow melt in summer. The lower and highest percentages present a declining tendency while the middle SCP exhibits an opposite variation. The maximum value appears from the middle of October to March and the minimum emerges from July to August. The annual and winter-spring SCPs present a decreasing tendency. Snow cover is mainly situated in the periphery of the plateau and mountainous regions, and less snow in the interior of the plateau, basin and valley areas in view of snow cover frequency （SCF） over the TP. Whatever annual or winter-spring snow cover, they all have remarkable declining tendency during 2003-2013, and annual snow cover presents a decreasing trend in the interior of the TP and increasing trend in the periphery of the TP. Hie multi-year averaged eight-day SCP is negatively related to mean precipitation in the MLYRV. Spring SCP is negatively related to summer precipitation while winter SCP is positively related to summer precipitation in most parts of the MLYRV. Hence, the influence of winter snow cover on precipitation is much more significant than that in spring on the basis of correlation analysis. The oscillation of SCF from southeast to northwest over the TP corresponds well to the beginning,development and cessation of the rain belt in eastern China.

Application Effects of Ultra-fine Powder Shaped Maize Seed Coating Agent in Spring Sowing areas in northeast China

The research explored adaptability maize seed coating agent in spring sowing and effects of ultra-fine powder shaped areas in northeast China. The results showed that germination potential and rate both improved around 5% and the num- ber of root increased by 4% in the treatments with ultra-fine powder shaped maize seed coating agent compared with the control group without seed coating. What＇s more, the treatments with ultra-fine powder shaped maize seed coating agent took advantages in terms of fresh weight of seeding, stem diameter, and dry weight. It is notable that control effects on underground insects performed the best, with per- centage over 94%, which is more excellent relative to other agents in markets. Therefore, ultra-fine powder shaped maize seed coating agent can be widely applied in spring sowing areas in northeast China, without side effects.

Enhancing corrosion resistance of ZK60 magnesium alloys via Ca microalloying: The impact of nanoscale precipitates

Enhancing corrosion resistance of Mg-Zn alloys with high strength and low cost was critical for broadening their large-scale practical applications. Here we prepared solutionized, peak-and over-aged ZK60 alloys with and without microalloying Ca(0.26 wt.%) to explore the effects of nanoscale precipitates on their corrosion behavior in detail via experimental analyses and theoretical calculations. The results suggested the peak-aged ZK60 alloy with Ca addition showed improved corrosion resistance in comparison with the alloys without Ca,owing to the contribution of Ca on the refinement of precipitates and increase in their number density. Although the precipitates and Mg matrix formed micro-galvanic couples leading to dissolution, the fine and dense precipitates could generate “in-situ pinning” effect on the corrosion products, forming a spider-web-like structure and improving the corrosion inhibition ability accordingly. The pinning effect was closely related to the size and number density of precipitates. This study provided important insight into the design and development of advanced corrosion resistant Mg alloys.

Diurnal Variations of Summer Precipitation in the Beijing Area and the Possible Effect of Topography and Urbanization

The present study examined the diurnal variations of summer precipitation in the Beijing area by usingsubdaily precipitation and wind observations. A combined effect of topography and urbanization on thecharacteristics of diurnal variations was suggested. It was shown that stations located in the plain areaexhibited typical night rain peaks, whereas those in the mountainous area exhibited clear afternoon peaks ofprecipitation diurnal variations. The precipitation peaks were associated with wind fields around the Beijingarea, which were found to be highly modulated by mountain-valley circulation and urban-country circulation.The lower-tropospheric wind exhibited a clear diurnal shift in its direction from north at 0800 LST to southat 2000 LST, which reflected mountain-valley circulation. The transitions from valley to mountain windand the opposite generally happened after sunset and sunrise, respectively, and both occurred earlier for thestations located closer to mountains. By comparing the diurnal variations of precipitation at stations in anortheast suburb, an urban area, and a southwest suburb, it was revealed that the northeast suburb grouphad the highest normalized rainfall frequency, but the southwest group had the lowest from late afternoon tolate evening. On the contrary, in the early morning from about 0200 to 1000 LST, the southwest group andurban group had the highest normalized rainfall frequency. This pattern might originate from the combinedeffects of mountain-valley topography and urbanization.

INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY OF WINTER AND SPRING PRECIPITATION IN SOUTH CHINA AND ITS RELATION TO MOISTURE TRANSPORT

The interannual variability of winter and spring precipitation in South China(SC)and its relation to moisture transport are investigated by using the monthly precipitation data of NMIC,NCEP reanalysis datasets and NOAA ERSST analysis datasets from 1960 to 2008.The results show that winter and spring precipitation in SC is less than normal from the 1960s to the start of the 1970s and from the end of the 1990s to the present.Most of rainfall anomalies on the whole regional scale of SC is well in phase during winter and spring,and the frequency of persistent drought is higher than that of persistent flood.Seasonal variations of moisture transport differences of SC between persistent drought and flood events are observed:the differences in winter are characterized by moisture transport from Bay of Bangle(BOB)and South China Sea(SCS),while differences in spring are characterized by that from SCS and North China(NC).There are two types of Ni o3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA)related to persistent winter and spring drought(flood)events in SC,which are positive SSTA next to Ni o4(Ni o3)and negative SSTA next to Ni o3(Ni o4).Moreover,the variations of moisture transport from BOB and SC have important effects on persistent drought/flood in SC when the Ni o3.4 index is in the positive phase,while those from western North Pacific(WNP)-SC in winter and those from Philippine Sea(PHS)-SC and NC in spring primarily contribute to persistent drought/flood events in SC when the Ni o3.4 index is in the negative phase,and these stronger(weaker)moisture transports are observed in persistent flood(drought)during winter and spring regardless of the Ni o3.4 index.In conclusion,with the correlation between variations and distributions of Ni o3.4 SSTA and persistent drought/flood events in SC,moisture transport is responsible for the formation of precipitation anomalies.In addition,the moisture transport from SCS is most significantly correlated with persistent drought/flood events during winter and spring.

Humidity Effect and Its Influence on the Seasonal Distribution of Precipitation δ^(18)O in Monsoon Regions

The humidity effect, namely the markedly positive correlation between the stable isotopic ratio in precipitation and the dew-point deficit ATd in the atmosphere, is put forward firstly and the relationships between the δ18O in precipitation and ATd are analyzed for the Urumqi and Kunming stations, which have completely different climatic characteristics. Although the seasonal variations in δ18O and △Td exhibit differences between the two stations, their humidity effect is notable. The correlation coefficient and its confidence level of the humidity effect are higher than those of the amount effect at Kunming, showing the marked influence of the humidity conditions in the atmosphere on stable isotopes in precipitation. Using a kinetic model for stable isotopic fractionation, and according to the seasonal distribution of mean monthly temperature at 500 hPa at Kunming, the variations of the δ18O in condensate in cloud are simulated. A very good agreement between the seasonal variations of the simulated mean δ18O and the mean monthly temperature at 500 hPa is obtained, showing that the oxygen stable isotope in condensate of cloud experiences a temperature effect. Such a result is markedly different from the amount effect at the ground. Based on the simulations of seasonal variations of δ18O in falling raindrops, it can be found that, in the dry season from November to April, the increasing trend with falling distance of δ18O in falling raindrops corresponds remarkably to the great △Td, showing a strong evaporation enrichment function in falling raindrops; however, in the wet season from May to October, the δ18O in falling raindrops displays an unapparent increase corresponding to the small △Td, except in May. By comparing the simulated mean δ18O at the ground with the actual monthly δ18O in precipitation, we see distinctly that the two monthly δ18O variations agree very well. On average, the δ18O values are relatively lower because of the highly moist air, heavy rainfall, small ATd and weak evaporation enrichment function of stable isotopes in the falling raindrops, under the influence of vapor from the oceans; but they are relatively higher because of the dry air, light rainfall, great △Td and strong evaporation enrichment function in falling raindrops, under the control of the continental air mass. Therefore, the δ18O in precipitation at Kunming can be used to indicate the humidity situation in the atmosphere to a certain degree, and thus indicate the intensity of the precipitation and the strength of the monsoon indirectly. The humidity effect changes not only the magnitude of the stable isotopic ratio in precipitation but also its seasonal distribution due to its influence on the strength of the evaporation enrichment of stable isotopes in falling raindrops and the direction of the net mass transfer of stable isotopes between the atmosphere and the raindrops. Consequently, it is inferred that the humidity effect is probably one of the foremost causes generating the amount effect.

Effects of irrigation on precipitation in the arid regions of Xinjiang,China

Soil moisture is an important parameter for the interaction between soil and atmosphere. It is the sec- ond important factor that influences climate change, next to sea surface temperature （SST）. Most previous studies focused on the monsoon regions in East China, and only a few laid emphases on arid environments. In Xinjiang, which is located in Northwest China, the climate is typically arid and semi-arid. During the past 20 years, the pre- cipitation in Xinjiang has shown a significant increasing trend, and it is closely related to oasis irrigation. This paper aims at discussing whether abnormal soil moisture in spring can be the signal to forecast summer precipitation. The effects of abnormal soil moisture due to farm irrigation in spring in arid environments on regional climate are inves- tigated by using a regional climate model （RegCM3）. The results indicate that positive soil moisture anomaly in irrigated cropland surface in May led to an increase in precipitation in spring as well as across the whole summer. The impact could last for about four months. The effects of soil moisture on the surface air temperature showed a time-lagging trend. The summer air temperature declined by a maximum amplitude of 0.8℃. The increased soil moisture could enhance evaporation and ascending motion in the low troposphere, which brought in more precipi- tation. The soil moisture affected regional weather and climate mainly by altering the surface sensible and latent heat fluxes.

Hydrochemical and isotope characteristics of spring water discharging from Qiushe Loess Section in Lingtai, northwestern China and their implication to groundwater recharge

The loess plateau in northwestern China with an area of 640 000km^2, which has developed the loess deposits with a thickness up to 200m in typical areas, is regarded as a huge carbon stock like the karst area in southwestern China, and plays an important role in regional(even global) carbon cycle. But the spring discharging from loess is poorly known compared with karst spring so far. The objective of this study is to ascertain the characteristics and origin of spring at Qiushe Village, Lingtai County, Gansu Province by hydro-chemical and isotopic methods. The results show that the springs including LGQ, HMQ, YYQ and CZQ are the depression spring and belong to the same shallow aquifer with the well water JZJ. There are not distinct seasonal/diurnal-scale variations on the hydro-chemical characteristics of the spring water(LGQ, HMQ, YYQ, CZQ) and groundwater(JZJ). The hydro-chemical type of groundwater is Ca·Mg-HCO_3. The D and O isotope ratios indicate that the precipitation is the main recharge source of groundwater in study area. And the results of tritium(TU) and Cl concentration suggest that the recharge cycle of groundwater may be more than 60 yrs. Our study shows that the water cycle in loess plateau including rainfall, infiltration, recharge and discharge exerts a continuous impact on carbon stock in loess, which should be paid more attention to in future research on the quantitative reconstruction of paleoclimate.

Amount and temperature effects responsible for precipitation isotope variation in the southern slope of Himalayas

Seasonal variation of stable isotopes in precipitation of Kathmandu Valley on the southem slope of Himalaya was carried out to understand the controlling mechanism of amount and temperature effect on the basis of one year stable isotope data from 2010 to 2011. Highly depleted isotope values in major rainy period are obtained just after the onset of precipitation in summer, which ac- counts for ＂amount effect＂ due to saturation isotopic compositions in high moisture condition, whereas, the higher values in winter are indicative to regional vapors （temperature effect） recycling of various sources. An abrupt depletion of isotope values in mid- June, indicates the onset date of monsoon precipitation, by the replacement of winter air mass with southem monsoon. Thus, pre- cipitation isotopes are a tool revealing the onset date of summer monsoon and temporal features of variability, in local and regional monsoons precipitations. A comparison of long term monthly values of 5180, temperature, and precipitation with GNIP 6180 data shows the temporal variations of stable isotopes are mostly controlled by amount and temperature effects. During summer mon- soon, the amount effects are stronger for high values of precipitation （R=0.7） and altitude effect appears for low moisture in late rainy season, thus from December to June （winter to pre-monsoon） the controlling features of isotopes remains under the temper- ature effect. A temporal rate of temperature effect is derived as 0.04%0 per year which indicates a dry signal of atmospheric condition and a temperature relation 5180=（0.371±0.08）T＋（0.156±0.05） is obtained from this analysis. The meteoric water lines of Kathmandu before and after monsoon onset of 2011, are found as 5D=（4.36±0.3）5180＋（15.66±1.2） and 5D=（6.91±0.2）S180-（7.92±2.26） from lab samples result, and 5D=9.25180＋11.725 and 5D=8.535180＋16.65 from GNIP data, which lacks the consistency both for slopes and intercepts values for the study period. The mean lapse rate values of δ18O and δD from GNIP data are obtained as -0.002‰/m and -0.015 ‰/m, which indicate the altitudinal effects in regional precipitation of the southern slope of Himalayas. This study estimates new stable isotopes data in recent precipitation using simple methodology which can be important for regional precipitation monitoring systems, environmental change and paleo-climatic studies.

Causes and Predictability of the 2021 Spring Southwestern China Severe Drought

In the spring of 2021,southwestern China(SWC)experienced extreme drought,accompanied by the highest seasonal-mean temperature record since 1961.This drought event occurred in the decaying phase of a La Niña event with negative geopotential height anomalies over the Philippine Sea,which is distinct from the historical perspective.Historically,spring drought over SWC is often linked to El Niño and strong western North Pacific subtropical high.Here,we show that the extreme drought in the spring of 2021 may be mainly driven by the atmospheric internal variability and amplified by the warming trend.Specifically,the evaporation increase due to the high temperature accounts for about 30%of drought severity,with the contributions of its linear trend portion being nearly 20%and the interannual variability portion being about 10%.Since the sea surface temperature forcing from the tropical central and eastern Pacific played a minor role in the occurrence of drought,it is a challenge for a climate model to capture the 2021 SWC drought beyond one-month lead times.