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Rainfall erosivity is an important indicator that can be used to measure the ability of rain to cause erosion and is connected with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) through the transmission of rainfall. This work aimed to explore the characteristics of rainfall erosivity in Guizhou Province and determine its correlation with ENSO. Rainfall erosivity was calculated from daily rainfall data from January 1960 to December 2017. The analyses were conducted using a daily rainfall erosivity model, inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation, linear regression analysis, Mann-Kendall test and correlation analysis. The long-term (1960–2017) average rainfall erosivity was 5825.60 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1 in the study area and showed a high temporal variability with the estimates from the linear trend line ranging from −449.5 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/10a to 496.8 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/10a. According to rainfall and erosive rainfall, an uneven spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity was observed with an increasing trend from south to north. Temporal distribution of monthly rainfall erosivity was consistent with that of seasonal rainfall erosivity, and concentrated in the summer months (June to August). As the representation indices of ENSO phenomena, the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) were selected for correlation analysis with rainfall erosivity. During El Niño events, the ONI, SOI and MEI showed significant correlations (>95% confidence level) with rainfall erosivity, while during La Niña events, only the ONI and MEI were significantly correlated with rainfall erosivity, but no significant correlation was detected during the neutral period or for the entire study period. The degree of rainfall erosion is proportional to the ENSO duration; the longer the ENSO duration, the greater the rainfall erosivity. These findings could help predict soil erosion and be used to develop further adaptation measures to prevent water and soil loss. Unlabelled Image • Rainfall erosivity changed over a high spatiotemporal variability over the entire period. • The decreasing trend of rainfall erosivity was more significant than the increasing trend. • The relationship between rainfall erosivity and ONI, SOI, and MEI was clear during El Niño and La Niña time periods. • The degree of rainfall erosivity is proportional to the duration of ENSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfall erosivity is one important factor that controls soil erosion. The interannual variability of rainfall erosivity in southeast China connected to the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation). Rainfall erosivity across southeast China was assessed using daily rainfall data from 60 meteorological stations during the period from 1980 to 2013. We determined that models of erosivity based on daily rainfall can accurately predict annual rainfall erosivity. This paper presents a study of the effects of Niño3.4 SST (Sea Surface Temperatures) anomalies, the SOI (Southern Oscillation Index) and the MEI (Multivariate El Niño–Southern Oscillation Index) on rainfall erosivity in the southeast of China. Results indicated that average rainfall erosivity is stronger during El Niño events and weaker during La Niña events. Correlation analyses were applied to rainfall erosivity and Niño3.4 SST anomalies, SOI, and MEI. The effects of Niño3.4 SST and SOI on rainfall erosivity are evident, as demonstrated by a statistically significant correlation (> 95% confidence level). MEI was the best indicator ( P < 0.01) for representing the state of the ENSO. Results further indicated that 45, 31, and 40 of the 60 meteorological stations showed a significant correlation ( P < 0.05) between rainfall erosivity and SST anomalies, SOI, and MEI, respectively. Most of these stations were located in western Fujian Province. The ENSO was determined to exert the strongest influence on rainfall erosivity. This information would be useful in the implementation of new soil conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive iodine may be released into off-gas streams during both, the normal operation and severe accident of nuclear power plant in both organic and inorganic forms. Methyl iodide formation results from the reaction between radioactive iodine and organic products (like paint and cable coatings) present within the containment. For the removal of methyl iodide (MeI) gas, activated carbon (AC) was impregnated with 2, 5, 8 and 10 wt% of hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and triethylenediamine (TEDA). Characterization of the raw and impregnated activated carbon (IAC) was done by XRD, SEM, Raman, BET and TGA. Removal efficiency of MeI was evaluated using breakthrough experiments by varying weight percent of TEDA and HMTA. Both TEDA and HMTA-rich AC exhibited significant MeI adsorption capacity. TEDA-IAC was more effective for the elimination of MeI which adsorbed maximum 473 mg/g at low temperatures, whereas HMTA-IAC with high porosity had a comparatively high adsorption capacity at high temperatures due to its stability as compared to TEDA-IAC and adsorbed maximum 245 mg/g MeI. When raw AC was compared to IACs, results demonstrated that adsorption capacity of MeI improved up to 64 % for TEDA and 54 % for HMTA impregnated ACs. Langmuir model was well fitted to adsorption equilibrium data, and second-order model explained adsorption kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters study confirmed that the reaction is exothermic and spontaneous in nature. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea surface temperature (SST), anomalies (SSTA), Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), and Multivariate ENSO (MEI) index in El Niño 1 + 2 and El Niño 3.4 regions, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), as well as the meteorological parameter Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) were cross correlated to sunspot counts (SS) from cycles 19 to 24 (1954–2019). Over the 1954–2019 period, the SS or Schwabe cycles did not show strong cross-correlation coefficients (cc-ρ) with values falling between 0.063 and 0.100 (p < 0.05). It seems that the Total Solar Irradiation (TSI) constant variability (±0.1%, ±1.361 W m−2) due to the SS cycles balanced out throughout the whole period. The cc-ρ coefficients for SST and SSTA versus each individual SS cycles were between 0.100 and 0.200 with lag times between maxima of each being from a few to 48 months. The ONI showed a cc-ρ < 0.1, while MEI reached up to 0.2 through all SS cycles. The slope of the cc-ρ changed from negative to positive over 6–12 months periods, with peaks in slope change occurring somewhere between 2 and 3 years. The SOI cc-ρ varied by around 0.200 through cycles 19–21, but for SS 22–24 it was not noticeable. Interdecadal indexes PDO and AMO showed cc-ρ of up to 0.283; with a possible association of 8%, with a lag time of 1–3 years. During the ascending and descending phases of each SS cycle, the cc-ρ were 0.288 and − 0.233, respectively for SST in El Niño 3.4 region, but in El Niño 1 + 2 were negligible. The ONI and MEI showed cc-ρ up to 0.448 and 0.480 respectively with lag times of 1–15 months in ascending phase of the SS cycle. The SS vs SOI had cc- ρ up to +0.420 to −0.567 in the ascending phases, while PDO and AMO registered cc-ρ up to 0.417 and − 0.491. AMO appeared systematically associated with SS cycles from 10.0 to 30.2% during descending and ascending phases, respectively. Compiled SS counts for all the ascending and descending phases of the SS cycles, gave a clear spectral coherence (quasi sine-function distribution); for SST and SSTA, lag times of 9–48 months were observed with inverse and direct linear relationship, and peaks of −0.38 and 0.39, respectively. The ONI and MEI with SS counts have similar cc-ρ values: 0.245 and 0.387. Around 6–15% of the ONI and MEI can be explained by SS during ascending and < 4% in descending phases. It seems that over the relatively short time scales of SS cycles, either on their initial ascending or final descending phases, the studied indexes seem to be influenced. Even though it was difficult to elucidate the physics behind the observed cross-correlations, these results can be used to help improve understanding and aid the predictions of ENSO, PDO and AMO oceanographic events in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. • Sea surface temperature is affected by sun energy that varies in time due to astronomical factors and sun internal activity • The sun activity can be estimated by sun spots (SS) • Inter-annual El/La Niño/Niña as well as decadal processes should be affected by SS • It was found weak to moderate cross-correlation between SS and oceanographic indexes from 1954 to 2019 • This fact should be considered to improve skill modelling forecasts of such indexes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This research explores the sensitivity of vegetation in China to El-Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events from 1982 to 2006. The ENSO events are defined by the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI), and variation in vegetation cover is captured by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Pearson’s χ2 test was used to identify the areas where the variation in vegetation was sensitive to El Niño and La Niña events. The difference in the sensitivity of various ecosystems was investigated using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land cover product in 2000. Composite NDVI graphs during El Niño, La Niña and non-ENSO years were also produced to investigate the ENSO relationship with the six vegetation ecosystems during El Niño, La Niña and normal phases. The results show that most of the ENSO-sensitive land in China is only affected by one of the two phases of ENSO events, and the area of El Niño-sensitive vegetation is much larger than that of La Niña-sensitive vegetation. North China and the Hengduan Mountains are the two cores of the El Niño-sensitive areas, while the La Niña-sensitive areas are mainly distributed in the central, northwest and northeast regions of China. The sensitivity of vegetation varies across ecosystems: grassland and shrubland had the largest share of El Niño-sensitive areas, and sparse vegetation and savanna were the most sensitive to La Niña events. Overall, the impacts of El Niño events on vegetation in China had regular seasonal variation, while the impacts of La Niña events had regular zonal distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although it is not currently being sold in the USA, the recent US registration of the fumigant methyl iodide has led to an increased interest in its environmental fate and transport. Although some work has now considered its volatile emissions from soil, there remains a lack of experimental data regarding its ability to be retained in soil and ultimately become transported with irrigation/rain waters. Using laboratory batch and soil column experiments, we aimed to better understand the phase partitioning of MeI, the ability of soils to retain MeI on the solid phase, and the potential for leaching of MeI and its primary degradation product, iodide, down a soil profile. Results indicated that MeI was retained by the solid phase of soil, being protected from volatilization and degradation, particularly in the presence of elevated organic matter. Retention was greater at lower moisture content, and maximum retention occurred after 56days of incubation. At higher moisture content, the liquid phase also became important in retaining MeI within soil. Together with low observed KD values (0.10 to 0.57mLg−1), these data suggest that MeI may be prone to leaching. Indeed, in a steady-state soil column study, initially retained MeI was transported with interstitial water. The MeI degradation product, iodide, was also readily transported in this manner. The data highlight a potentially significant process by which MeI fate and transport within the environment may be impacted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Browning mechanisms of mei liqueur were studied using model solutions containing 28% ethanol in 0.1 M citrate solution (pH 3.0). Catechin alone was stable in the model solution but degraded rapidly to form hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) in incubation with fructose at 70 °C. The rate of increase in the absorbance at 420 nm also suggested that fructose was more potent than glucose in enhancing browning in acidic ethanolic environment. We propose that the major browning mechanisms in mei liqueur are the oxidation and condensation of tannins and the interactions between tannins and HMF derived from fructose, rather than Maillard reaction, ascorbic acid degradation, or caramelization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• More than 12 000 policies reported in 315 MEIs of signatories to the CoM have been assessed. • An aggregation process for harmonizing the policies submitted in the MEIs has been conducted. • Policies have been classified according to two policy criteria and correlated with the grouping of signatories according to contextual drivers. • The methodology provided in the study can be further used to assess potential differences with submitted SEAPs. The Paris agreement recognises the key role of local authorities in reaching the 1,5 °C target. The Covenant of Mayors (CoM) has been an unprecedented phenomenon in the arena of transnational initiatives in climate action at local level. The initiative has expanded tremendously over the past 10 years, covering more than 9 600 local authorities and 327 million inhabitants as of June 2019. This study analyses policies and measures adopted and implemented by local authorities, signatories to the CoM, as reported in their Monitoring Emission Inventories (MEI). More than 12 000 policies reported in 315 MEIs have been assessed. The policies adopted in municipalities across Europe have been classified according to two criteria: (1) the type of policy tool and (2) the field of action. The aggregated policies have then be correlated with the grouping of signatories according to three "contextual" drivers. The contextual drivers allow identifying the factors that may influence the distribution of climate and energy policies and successful examples and methodologies that may be replicated in other cities with comparable characteristics and similar contexts. Overall, results show that the most common policies cover municipal assets and structures. The policies adopted by local governments do change with the population and, therefore, the focus on municipal assets changes with the increase of population, while local authorities' Gross Domestic Products and climatic conditions have limited influence on the selection and distribution of policies in the framework of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]