The solar dimming/brightening effect over the Mediterranean Basin in the period 1979–2012

Kambezidis, H. D.; Kaskaoutis, Dimitris G.; Kalliampakos, George; Rashki, Alireza; Wild, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2016.10.006

Cited by 39 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…However, it should be considered that in this region, the SSR is likely being more affected by potential changes of the aerosol direct effect (Nabat et al, ), as clear‐sky days are more frequent in the Mediterranean summer than in other European areas. This is coherent with the findings of Kambezidis et al (), who found higher values under clear skies (without aerosols but including clouds) compared to those under clear skies (without clouds but including aerosols) using reanalysis data of surface net shortwave radiation during June–August, indicating that aerosols attenuate more the shortwave radiation compared to clouds over the Mediterranean in summer. Moreover, a positive trend in clear‐sky SSR in Europe has been found by Bartók () during the time period 2001–2012, which is partly attributed to a reduced aerosol load.…”

Section: Trend and Variability Analysissupporting

confidence: 92%

Trends and Variability of Surface Solar Radiation in Europe Based On Surface‐ and Satellite‐Based Data Records

et al. 2018

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The incoming solar radiation is the essential climate variable that determines the Earth's energy cycle and climate. As long‐term high‐quality surface measurements of solar radiation are rare, satellite data are used to derive more information on its spatial pattern and its temporal variability. Recently, the EUMETSAT Satellite Application on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) has published two satellite‐based climate data records: Surface Solar Radiation Data Set‐Heliosat, Edition 2 (SARAH‐2), and Clouds and Radiation Data Set based on AVHRR (advanced very high resolution radiometer) Satellite Measurements, Edition 2 (CLARA‐A2). Both data records provide estimates of surface solar radiation. In this study, these new climate data records are compared to surface measurements in Europe during the period 1983–2015. SARAH‐2 and CLARA‐A2 show a high accuracy compared to ground‐based observations (mean absolute deviations of 6.9 and 7.3 W/m2, respectively) highlighting a good agreement considering the temporal behavior and the spatial distribution. The results show an overall brightening period since the 1980s onward (comprised between 1.9 and 2.4 W/m2/decade), with substantial decadal and spatial variability. The strongest brightening is found in eastern Europe in spring. An exception is found for northern and southern Europe, where the trends shown by the station data are not completely reproduced by satellite data, especially in summer in southern Europe. We conclude that the major part of the observed trends in surface solar radiation in Europe is caused by changes in clouds and that remaining differences between the satellite‐ and the station‐based data might be connected to changes in the direct aerosol effect and in snow cover.

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Section: Trend and Variability Analysissupporting

confidence: 92%

Trends and Variability of Surface Solar Radiation in Europe Based On Surface‐ and Satellite‐Based Data Records

et al. 2018

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“…A study of changes in net solar radiation over the entire Mediterranean basin, based on the GEOS-5 climate model processing of satellite data, indicated that between 1970 and 2012 spatial and temporal trends were primarily controlled by variations in cloud optical depth, although the analysis was unable to distinguish between the roles of the extent of cloud cover and cloud radiative properties [6]. There is also evidence from surface observations, satellite measurements and climate model simulations that total cloud in the Mediterranean has decreased since the late 1970's [7] especially in the eastern and central regions and during springtime [8].…”

Section: The Importance Of Clouds Was Apparent In An Analysis Of E G mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Clouds in Global Radiation Changes Measured in Israel during the Last Sixty Years

Paudel¹,

Cohen²,

Stanhill³

2019

AJCC

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An analysis of global radiation measurements and fractional cloud cover observations made in the Israel Meteorological Service's network of climate stations demonstrated a significant decrease in the transmittance of solar radiation through the atmosphere during the last 60 years. The major cause was the reduced transparency of clouds. Under completely overcast skies with complete cloud cover transmission in the industrialized central coastal region decreased from 0.41 in the mid-20 th century to 0.21 in the first decade of the 21 st century. Under cloudless skies the reduction in the transmission of global radiation was less, from 0.79 to 0.71, and not statistically significant. Similar but somewhat smaller changes were observed in the less industrialized central hill region. Multi-linear analysis showed that since 1970, 61% of the measured decline in global radiation was attributable to changes in fractional cloud cover but only 2% to the marked increase in local fuel combustion; there was no statistically significant interaction between the two parameters.

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“…The effect of various parameters on SSR was discussed by Kambezidis et al (2016) in their study about the global dimming/brightening effect over the Mediterranean in the period 1979-2012. They show that the influence of parameters related to the atmospheric transparency, like water vapor, aerosols and trace gases, as well as changes in the surface albedo on SSR, were larger in the southern parts of the Mediterranean, over the Balkan countries and central Turkey.…”

Section: Seasonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies have tried to use pan evaporation as a proxy of SSR, for the first half of the 20th century (Stanhill and Möller, 2008). Kambezidis et al (2016) used monthly re-analysis data sets from the Modern Era RetrospectiveAnalysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) and calculated shortwave radiation trends over the period 1979-2012 for the Mediterranean basin. They reported an increase in MERRA of +0.36 W m −2 decade −1 , with higher rates over the western Mediterranean (+0.82 W m −2 decade −1 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term series and trends in surface solar radiation in Athens, Greece

et al. 2018

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Abstract. We present a long-term series of surface solar radiation (SSR) from the city of Athens, Greece. SSR measurements were performed from 1954 to 2012, and before that sunshine duration (SD) records were used in order to reconstruct monthly SSR. Analysis of the whole data set (1900-2012) mainly showed very small (0.02 %) changes in SSR from 1900 to 1953, including a maximum decrease of −2.9 % decade −1 in SSR during the 1910 to 1940 period, assuming a linear change. For the dimming period 1955-1980, −2 % decade −1 was observed that matches various European long-term SSR-measurement-related studies. This percentage in Athens is in the lower limit, compared to other studies in the Mediterranean area. For the brightening period 1980-2012 we calculated +1.5 % decade −1 , which is also in the lower limit of the reported positive changes in SSR around Europe. Comparing the 30-year periods 1954-1983 and 1983-2012, we found a difference of 4.5 %. However, measurements of the first 30-year period are associated with higher uncertainties than those of the second period, especially when looking at year-to-year changes. The difference between the two periods was observed for all seasons except winter. Analyzing SSR calculations of all-sky and clear-sky (cloudless) conditions/days, we report that most of the observed changes in SSR after 1954 can be attributed partly to cloudiness and mostly to aerosol load changes.

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The solar dimming/brightening effect over the Mediterranean Basin in the period 1979–2012

Cited by 39 publications

References 81 publications

Trends and Variability of Surface Solar Radiation in Europe Based On Surface‐ and Satellite‐Based Data Records

Trends and Variability of Surface Solar Radiation in Europe Based On Surface‐ and Satellite‐Based Data Records

The Role of Clouds in Global Radiation Changes Measured in Israel during the Last Sixty Years

Long-term series and trends in surface solar radiation in Athens, Greece

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