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The Danube River mouth is a main source for fresh water used for water supply and irrigation purposes in the arid southern part of Ukraine. In addition, the water of the mouth is used for filling the Danube Lakes. Climate change and numerous social and economic factors reduce the area and the water level of the Danube Lakes and increase their salinity. Under these circumstances the water exchange between the Danube River and the lakes is a very important process which allows maintenance of the water-salt balance of the latter. Such water exchange massively depends on the Danube River regime. The paper presents research of temporal variation of typical water discharges in the lower course of the Danube River associated with assessment of natural and anthropogenic factors affecting river runoff fluctuations. Time series of annual average water discharge at the water gauging stations of such cities as Reni and Izmail were considered uniform for the selected periods. They cover the period of conventionally natural river runoff regime (1840-1920), the period of the least altered river runoff regime (1921-1960) and the most altered river runoff regime under a heavy anthropogenic influence (1961-1989). The analysis of the impact of climate changes on the river runoff allowed introduction of a new, modern period of the Danube River hydrological regime (1990-2015). It is established that the series of maximum and minimum water discharges are characterized by the lack of their uniformity from the beginning of the period of initial influence of hydraulic engineering structures on the hydrological regime (since 1961). The analysis of the aggregate multi-year series (1840-2015) of average annual, maximum and minimum water discharges of the Danube River across its length from Reni to Izmail showed the presence of positive trends. At the same time the period of climatic changes (after 1989) is characterized by a less intensive growth of maximum water discharges. The research resulted in establishing the periodicity and synchronism of water discharge fluctuations in the lower course of the Danube River from Reni to Izmail within the territory of Ukraine. In particular, the study showed for the first time that from the 2000s onwards the redistribution of river runoff between the Danube River branches led to unsynchronization of minimum river runoff in different parts of the Danube Delta. The research shows that comprehensive analysis of the Danube River hydrological regime under modern climatic conditions is required to ensure efficient engineering regulation of the Danube Lakes filling pattern. Such regulation, in its turn, will ensure that the water supply and irrigation purposes are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous innovations, absence of fuel and fuel-related problems, excellent environmental characteristics and other economic and technical factors result in a permanent decline of PV systems cost and unprecedented growth of photovoltaic markets. Because of this, PV energy production technologies are becoming economically viable even in the Northern countries where the annual solar irradiation on the horizontal surface is around 900-1 100 kWh/m². New circumstances allow reconsideration of PV systems viability for electricity production in high latitude countries not excepting the Baltic States. This paper provides a review of broad data on global development trends for solar power plants, including countries where solar irradiations are moderate. Advantages of PV systems development are justified by taking into account electricity generation costs, external costs and positive impact on climate change mitigation. Further reduction of PV systems cost is reasoned by describing recent innovations that will have a major impact on a new decrease of PV modules prices. The paper also discusses possible ways that could allow minimizing of PV power plants integration costs by reduction of expenditures for power balancing. The provided data reflect that good results in integration costs reduction can be achieved by combining several renewable energy sources like wind, solar and hydro in proper ratios. Finally, the presented data and their analysis indicate that PV power plants could definitely take a certain part in the future electricity generation mix in high latitude countries due to its wide accessibility, economic efficiency, maturity and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a methodological approach for identifying the resilience of interconnected EU critical infrastructures to climate change. The proposed approach tries to establish a consequence-based modelling framework for assessing climate-dependent causal relationships between CI operation and response to climate impacts with an aim to minimise disruptions to service flows under diverse conditions. The proposed study provides a description of the virtual city's forest fire and smoke reference scenario with their optional damages to the electricity transmission and distribution network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Changing climatic conditions cause changes in tree phenology, which is important for the survival of species and their spread in local ecosystems. This study concentrated on long-term (1957-2016 or 1980-2016) observations of 11 conifer species introduced to Lithuania with the aim to evaluate the response of their bud swelling phenophase to climate warming, considering the hardiness zones of their natural habitats. Materials and Methods. Sequences of the start date of the bud swelling phenophase of 11 introduced conifer species (Abies veitchii, Larix decidua, L. kaempferi, L. laricina, L. × marschlinsii, L. sibirica, L. sukaczewii, Picea mariana, Pinus mugo, Taxus baccata and Thuja occidentalis) were analysed. Data were collected from the paper archives of Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). Sequences of bud swelling start dates were transformed into sequences of number of days from the beginning of the year. Results. Results indicated an advance of the bud swelling phenophase of ten conifer species introduced to Lithuania (the speed of changes varied from -0.10 to -0.98 days/year in the 1980-2016 period) and a delay of Larix sukaczewii (respectively, +0.12 days/ year) of the bud swelling phenophase, mainly influenced by the March temperature. Conclusions. The connection between the observed conifer species hardiness zone of the natural habitat and the reaction of the bud swelling phenophase to climate warming could be observed only when species from one genus were compared. To confirm this phenomenon, a research on a larger amount of introduced species with wider habitat hardiness zone options is needed in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with climate change mitigation policies aiming at household energy savings via behavioral changes. Currently, the Lithuanian climate change mitigation policy is focused on large and expensive supply-side projects such as construction of a new nuclear power plant or carbon capture and storage. At the same time, there is a huge energy saving and GHG emission reduction potential in the household sector, which can be realized at no costs. The aim of the paper is to analyze the behavioral theories and models and their application to energy saving behavior, and to select the best climate change mitigation measures targeting at behavioral changes of Lithuanian households, with the aim to reduce GHG emissions in this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents analysis of the structure of hydrometeorologists' graduate works in Vilnius University in 1994-2013. It also discusses the climate change academic discourse. The structure of analyzed works themes and the status of the climate change concept during the analyzed period have changed for the informational and technological development impact. The indicators especially changed in the second half of the period. It is related to the changes in the general paradigm of hydrometeorological research in the beginning of the twenty-first century. Around 2003-2005 these works started analyzing meteorological-climatological issues (previously hydrological themes dominated). At the same time the use of regular monitoring measurements data began to increase and longer data series were examined. In recent years significantly more theses cited literature in English. The term "climate change" is mentioned 1.6 times more at the end of the research period than at the beginning of this period. Currently this term is increasingly used to describe the objectives and tasks of theses. The study indicates that the phrase "climate change" is often used in the introductions of works (because authors lack arguments). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current use of solid biomass for heating in Lithuania and further development opportunities as well as environmental impact are analyzed in this paper. The solid biomass potential in 2011 made 1 442 ktoe, and 50.8% of this potential was used in the heating sector. he solid biomass potential should increase 14.6% by 2020 and 67% of this potential should be used in order to achieve the national renewable energy targets (60% for district heating and 80% for heating of individual houses). Achievement of national targets would allow to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 6%. he changes in the emissions of the main pollutants would be different. SO2, NOx, solid particles emissions would decrease by 13.1, 3.2% and 28.4%, respectively, however, VOC and CO emissions would increase by 1.3 and 8.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the integrated water vapor (IWV) climatological regime and dynamics over the Baltic Sea region. It is the authors' ongoing work on the distribution of atmospheric moisture over the Baltic region, based on climatic remote sensing database. IWV daily means were obtained from the Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF) archives for period 2004-2011. It was found that IWV long-term mean over the Baltic region is 15.38 kg/m². IVG average gradient is oriented north-south direction. The average difference between northern and southern part of the area is 2.1 kg/m². IVG has a seasonal variation: IVG maximum amount of midsummer at least three times higher than the late winter minimum. The largest horizontal IVG gradients are over the sea-land boundary areas. In October-March period IVG mean is higher 3% over sea surface than over land. In April-September IVG mean is 5% less over sea surface than over land. Homogeneity analysis showed that the ATOVS and SSMI / IVG data series over the central part of the Baltic are homogeneous only in the cold season from November to April. These data sets combined into one long data set helped to determine the climatic IVG indicators over the Central Baltic in 1989-2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that the Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed sea of the North Atlantic Ocean, it is characterized by variability of different hydrophysical and hydrochemical parameters according to the recent studies. Over one hundred years of observations of water temperature and salinity variations have shown that thermohaline regime (circulation, system) has begun to change: trends of increasing water temperature and decreasing water salinity were determined. Scientists from the Baltic countries seek to attract societies' attention to the possible structures of the Baltic Sea hydrology and changes in water balance associated with climate change. This paper searches for the impact of low-frequency atmospheric fluctuations in Atlantic and Pacific surface temperature on water temperature and salinity changes in the Baltic Proper in 1960-2009. The previous studies have shown that there are weak links between the Baltic Sea water temperature, salinity and NAO (North Atlantic oscillation) and AO (Arctic oscillation) that affect the Baltic region. Recently, it was also found that the Baltic Sea hydrophysical and chemical parameters depend on large distance relationships between climate anomalies teleconnection. The determined relationships between the multi-annual average temperature and salinity of the Baltic Sea water column and seasonal, annual indices of the Atlantic Ocean (AMO, AMM, Atlantic Tripole) are weak, whereas links between the Baltic Sea investigated parameters and Pacific index: ONI (Oceanic Nino Index) are very weak (r = -0.32). The strongest correlation exists between water temperature and the NAO (0.36 = r = 0.45), AMM (0.37 = r = 0.40) and between water salinity and NAO (-0.38 = r = -0.51), PNA (Pacific- North American index) (0.27 = r = 0.34). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the integrated water vapor content (IVG) variability in the southern Baltic Sea during the period 1988-2005 using Special Sensor Microwave (SSM/I) data. IVG means were obtained from satellite-based database applications (CM SAF) archives. It was found that the mean of IVG was 13.58 kg/m2 in analyzed area. IVG fluctuations are seasonal. The driest climate in the southern Baltic Sea is in period of December-March (cold period) and the wettest -- June-September (warm period). IVG reached mean maximum in July (21.45 kg/m2) and minimum -- in March (8.59 kg/m2). 1993 and 1996 were anomaly years. In those years IVG means were lower than the observed long-term mean. In 1993 IVG mean was 12.8 kg/m2 and in 1996 - 12.9 kg/m2. The analysis showed that IVG means values were higher than the long-term mean in 1999 (0.72 kg/m2). IVG means were higher than the multiannual average values (respectively 0.67, 0.58 and 0.59 kg/m2) in 1999--2000 and 2002. The main reasons leading to IVG anomalies are SST variations over the period, excluding the year 1999. The eastern Baltic Sea surface temperature positive deviations of October-December months affected positive anomalies of IVG. Sea surface temperature fluctuations of July-September months affected IVG negative variations, excluding the year 1999. In April 1999 the positive temperatures anomalies were higher more than +4.0 °C in the Baltic states (Annual Bulletin…, 2000). It was found that the highest IVG values in warm period (July-September) were in regions closer to the coast (55°-57° N and 19°- 21° E), and in the period of January-March the lowest IVG means were in 56°-57° N and 17°-21° E area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the recent years, scientific research has shown that various parameters such as water temperature, salinity, river runoff, sea level, etc, have been changing. The main two reasons for the changes are the Baltic Sea natural variability and human impact on climate change which affect the climate of the Baltic Sea; also, this is one of the fundamental subjects of climate change debate. This paper investigates the sea temperature and salinity change in 1960--2009 in the Baltic Proper. For the observation period, an increase in water temperature and a decreasing trend for water salinity were established. A comparison of the surface and bottom water temperature and salinity change cycles has shown that the cycles of temperature and salinity changes are better expressed at the bottom than on the surface and last 12 to 30 years. The cycle of sea bottom salinity change, like on the surface, lasts 40 years or more. The study has revealed weak or very wear links between the traditional seasonal (winter, spring, summer, autumn) and annual NAO, AO indices and the mean annual sea water temperature and salinity data in the Baltic Sea. Moderate negative correlational relationships have been established between the extended winter season (December--March), the NAO, AO indices and the bottom water salinity in the Baltic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main object of the paper article is water resources of Lithuanian rivers, which were calculated using a long data series of the runoff. Water resources are based on the balance equation. This means that this equation includes only the runoff formed in the Lithuanian territory, from neighboring countries to Lithuania and through them into the sea. The average and dry annual water resources have been calculated at a 95% probability. The average perennial water resources of Lithuanian rivers are 24.844 km³ / year, of them 8.883 km³ / year is the transit from Belarus, Poland and Kaliningrad Region to Lithuania, 15.961 km³ / year is formed in Lithuania and 7.471 km³ / year are effluents through Latvia into the Baltic Sea from Kaliningrad Region into the Curonian Lagoon. The Nemunas basin floats 21.501 km³ / year to the Curonian Lagoon. The present water resources are by 4.5% less in comparison with water resources of in the year 1996. Cyclic water change is typical of the Lithuanian rivers. The Nemunas-Smalininkai hydrological station has noted 7 cycles in a long data series. The average term of a cycle is 27 years (14 years of a wet and 13 years of a dry period). The runoff of the Nemunas river differs in the duration of dry and wet periods (by about 16%). The runoff of rivers in Southeast and Western Lithuania differs by 21-23% and in Middle Lithuania by 28%. The long data series of the Nemunas-Smalininkai runoff have a negative trend because of a decrease in the last four decades. The runoff measured by this water management station consists of river runoff from the southeastern and middle parts of Lithuania. The annual runoff has a positive trend in the majority of Western Lithuanian rivers in the period 1961-2003. The minimum runoff of a dry period shows no trend in most Lithuanian rivers, except Western Lithuania where a positive trend was estimated in the period 1961-2003. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]