Comparison of statistical clustering techniques for the classification of modelled atmospheric trajectories     

P. Kassomenos  S. Vardoulakis  R. Borge  J. Lumbreras  C. Papaloukas  S. Karakitsios 《Theoretical and Applied Climatology》2010,102(1-2):1-12

In this study, we used and compared three different statistical clustering methods: an hierarchical, a non-hierarchical (K-means) and an artificial neural network technique (self-organizing maps (SOM)). These classification methods were applied to a 4-year dataset of 5 days kinematic back trajectories of air masses arriving in Athens, Greece at 12.00 UTC, in three different heights, above the ground. The atmospheric back trajectories were simulated with the HYSPLIT Vesion 4.7 model of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The meteorological data used for the computation of trajectories were obtained from NOAA reanalysis database. A comparison of the three statistical clustering methods through statistical indices was attempted. It was found that all three statistical methods seem to depend to the arrival height of the trajectories, but the degree of dependence differs substantially. Hierarchical clustering showed the highest level of dependence for fast-moving trajectories to the arrival height, followed by SOM. K-means was found to be the least depended clustering technique on the arrival height. The air quality management applications of these results in relation to PM₁₀ concentrations recorded in Athens, Greece, were also discussed. Differences of PM₁₀ concentrations, during certain clusters, were found statistically different (at 95% confidence level) indicating that these clusters appear to be associated with long-range transportation of particulates. This study can improve the interpretation of modelled atmospheric trajectories, leading to a more reliable analysis of synoptic weather circulation patterns and their impacts on urban air quality.  相似文献   

Monitoring of energy spectra of particle bursts in the plasma sheet and magnetosheath     

G.P. Pavlos  E.T. Sarris  G. Kaliabetsos 《Planetary and Space Science》1985,33(10):1109-1118

Energetic ion (E ? 290 keV) and electron (E_e ? 220 keV) burst intensities were simultaneously monitored at various regions of the plasma sheet and magnetosheath by the CPME JHU/APL instruments on board the IMP-7 and 8 s/c during an extended period from day 250, 1975 to day 250, 1976 when the two spacecraft were closely trailing each other in crossing the geomagnetotail. The energy spectra of the energetic particle populations of different regions in the magnetotail were also computed and monitored simultaneously at the positions of the two spacecraft. The results indicate that the energetic particle intensities are higher and the energy spectra in general considerably softer inside the plasma sheet than the adjacent magnetosheath. The spectral index γ of a power law fit in the computed energy spectrum inside the plasma sheet occasionally exceeds γ > 10 for the ions and γ > 6 for the electrons. Furthermore simultaneous monitoring of particle intensities in the vicinity of the neutral sheet and the high latitude plasma sheet shows higher intensities in the former region. The observations suggest that the energetic particles escape to the magnetosheath from their source inside the plasma sheet by a rigidity dependent process. A dawn-dusk asymmetry in the particle acceleration and escape processes is implied in the observations and discussed in detail.  相似文献