Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-627
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-627
21 Apr 2023
 | 21 Apr 2023

Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges at different environments and in the atmosphere

Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen

Abstract. To be able to meet global grand challenges (climate change; biodiversity loss; environmental pollution; scarcity of water, food and energy supplies; acidification; deforestation; chemicalization; pandemics), which all are closely interlinked with each other, we need comprehensive open data with proper metadata. The large data sets from ground-base in situ observations, ground and satellite remote sensing and multiscale modelling need to be utilized seamlessly. In this opinion paper, we describe the SMEAR (Station for Measuring Earth surface – Atmosphere Relations) concept. We also demonstrate its power via several examples, such as detection of new particle formation and their subsequent growth, quantifying atmosphere-ecosystem feedback loops, combining comprehensive observations with emergency science and services, as well as studying the effect of COVID restrictions on different air quality and climate variables. The future needs and the potential of comprehensive observations of the environment are summarized.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Dec 2023
| Highlight paper
Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges in different environments and in the atmosphere
Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14949–14971, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14949-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14949-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-627', Anonymous Referee #1, 08 May 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-627', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Jun 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to reviewers', Tom Kokkonen, 21 Aug 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-627', Anonymous Referee #1, 08 May 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-627', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Jun 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to reviewers', Tom Kokkonen, 21 Aug 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Tom Kokkonen on behalf of the Authors (25 Aug 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (28 Aug 2023) by James Allan
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (02 Sep 2023)
ED: Publish as is (12 Sep 2023) by James Allan
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (03 Oct 2023) by Xiaohong Liu (Executive editor)
AR by Tom Kokkonen on behalf of the Authors (12 Oct 2023)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Dec 2023
| Highlight paper
Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges in different environments and in the atmosphere
Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 14949–14971, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14949-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14949-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen
Markku Kulmala, Anna Lintunen, Hanna Lappalainen, Annele Virtanen, Chao Yan, Ekaterina Ezhova, Tuomo Nieminen, Ilona Riipinen, Risto Makkonen, Johanna Tamminen, Anu-Maija Sundström, Antti Arola, Armin Hansel, Kari Lehtinen, Timo Vesala, Tuukka Petäjä, Jaana Bäck, Tom Kokkonen, and Veli-Matti Kerminen

Viewed

Total article views: 851 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
556 275 20 851 14 19
  • HTML: 556
  • PDF: 275
  • XML: 20
  • Total: 851
  • BibTeX: 14
  • EndNote: 19
Views and downloads (calculated since 21 Apr 2023)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 21 Apr 2023)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 839 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 839 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 18 Sep 2024
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

For well over a century, many advances in tropospheric chemistry and physics have been driven by in situ observations, with measurements tending to be either specific measurements over multi-year periods, often as part of a network, or short term ‘intensive’ observations over of a more limited duration, typically 1-2 months. But in recent decades, many major developments in atmospheric science have been fueled through long-term comprehensive observations, and the Finnish SMEAR project is a major pioneering example of this. As part of the 20th anniversary Special Issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, this opinion piece reflects on the manifold and sustained contributions this has made to atmospheric science.
Short summary
To be able to meet global grand challenges, we need comprehensive open data with proper metadata. In this opinion paper, we describe the SMEAR (Station for Measuring Earth surface – Atmosphere Relations) concept and include several examples (cases), such as NPF and growth, feedback loops, the effect of COVID, and what has been learnt from these investigations. The future needs and the potential of comprehensive observations of the environment are summarized.