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Influence of solar wind energy flux on the interannual variability of ENSO in the subsequent year
Previous studies have tended to adopt the quasi-decadal variability of the solar cycle (e.g. sunspot number (SSN) or solar radio flux at 10.7 cm (F10.7) to investigate the effect of solar activity on El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). As one of the major terrestrial energy sources, the effect of solar wind energy flux in Earth’s magnetosphere (Ein) on the climate has not drawn much attention, due to the big challenge associated with its quantitative estimation. Based on a new Ein index estimated by three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations from a previous study, this study reveals that Ein exhibits both quasi-decadal variability (periodic 11-year) and interannual (2–4 years) variability, which has rarely before been detected by SSN and F10.7. A significant interannual relationship between the annual mean Ein and subsequent early-winter ENSO is further revealed. Following high Ein, the sea level pressure in the subsequent early winter shows significant positive anomalies from Asia southward to the Maritime Continent, and significant negative anomalies over the Southeast and Northeast Pacific, resembling the Southern Oscillation. Meanwhile, significant upper-level anomalous convergence and divergence winds appear over the western and eastern Pacific, which is configured with significant lower-level anomalous divergence and convergence, indicating a weakening of the Walker circulation. Consequently, notable surface easterly wind anomalies prevail over the eastern tropical Pacific, leading to El Niño-like sea surface temperature anomalies. It is suggested that better describing the processes in the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupled system is essential to understand the solar influence on climate change.
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Information Requirements under the Essential-Use Concept: PFAS Case Studies
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of substances for which there are widespread concerns about their extreme persistence in combination with toxic effects. It has been argued that PFAS should only be employed in those uses that are necessary for health or safety or are critical for the functioning of society and where no alternatives are available (“essential-use concept”). Implementing the essential-use concept requires a sufficient understanding of the current uses of PFAS and of the availability, suitability, and hazardous properties of alternatives. To illustrate the information requirements under the essential-use concept, we investigate seven different PFAS uses, three in consumer products and four industrial applications. We investigate how much information is available on the types and functions of PFAS in these uses, how much information is available on alternatives, their performance and hazardous properties and, finally, whether this information is sufficient as a basis for deciding on the essentiality of a PFAS use. The results show (i) the uses of PFAS are highly diverse and information on alternatives is often limited or lacking; (ii) PFAS in consumer products often are relatively easy to replace; (iii) PFAS uses in industrial processes can be highly complex and a thorough evaluation of the technical function of each PFAS and of the suitability of alternatives is needed; (iv) more coordination among PFAS manufacturers, manufacturers of alternatives to PFAS, users of these materials, government authorities, and other stakeholders is needed to make the process of phasing out PFAS more transparent and coherent.
2021
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2024
Although it has been suggested that plastic may act as a vector for pollutants into the tissue of seabirds, the bioaccumulation of harmful contaminants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), released from ingested plastics is poorly understood. Plastic ingestion by the procellariiform species northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is well documented. In this study, we measured PBDEs levels in liver tissue of northern fulmars without and with (0.13–0.43 g per individual) stomach plastics. PBDE concentrations in the plastic sampled from the same birds were also quantified. Birds were either found dead on beaches in southern Norway or incidentally caught in longline fisheries in northern Norway. PBDEs were detected in all birds but high concentrations were only found in liver samples from beached birds, peaking at 2900 ng/g lipid weight. We found that body condition was a significant factor explaining the elevated concentration levels in livers of beached birds. BDE209 was found in ingested plastic particles and liver tissue of birds with ingested plastics but was absent in the livers of birds without ingested plastics. This strongly suggests a plastic-derived transfer and accumulation of BDE209 to the tissue of fulmars, levels of which might prove useful as a general indicator of plastic ingestion in seabirds.
2021