ALBERT

Description: This datasets are part of an aerosol climatology study from 2003-2015 for the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) using remotely sensed aerosol data, ground-based measurements, air mass trajectory modeling, aerosol chemical composition modeling, and reanalysis data for the broader Megalopolis of Central Mexico region. The most extensive biomass burning emissions occur between March and May concurrent with the highest aerosol optical depth, ultraviolet aerosol index, and surface particulate matter (PM) values. A notable enhancement in coarse PM levels is observed during vehicular rush hour periods on weekdays versus weekends owing to non-engine related emissions such as re-suspended dust. Among different species modeled using Goddard Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport model (GOCART), sulfate accounted for most of the aerosol optical depth (highest in May-June), followed by organics. Among wet deposition species measured, PM2.5, PM10, and PMcoarse (PM10 – PM2.5) were best correlated with NH4+, SO42-, and Ca2+, suggesting that the latter three constituents are important components of the aerosol seeding rain drops that eventually deposit to the surface in the study region. Inter-annual trend analysis of measured parameters is presented with a key result being a statistically significant increase in wind speed and ambient temperature from 2003 to 2015 in the study region. Air quality improvements were observed for 2014-2015 owing to reduced regional biomass burning as compared to 2003-2013.

Description: The dataset includes hourly air temperature and relative humidity data from from Sidi Chamharouch (31.09763ºN, 7.91291º W) at 2370 m a.s.l. and Neltner hut (31.063 ºN, 7.93814 W) at 3210 m a.s.l. in the Oued Ihghyghaye valley (High Atlas, Morocco) from 16 June 2015 to 16 July 2016. The data was collected using a Hobo ProV2 datalogger installed inside a radiation shield at ci. 2 m height. This research benefited from support of the bilateral project COLDATLAS - "Does permafrost occur in the high mountains of North Africa?" funded by the FCT/CNRST (Portugal-Morocco), with partial funding from the CEG/IGOT - Universidade de Lisboa.

Description: The Serra da Estrela is part of the Iberian central cordillera and is the highest mountain in mainland Portugal (40º20'N, 35 W, 1993 m a.s.l). Seven air temperature data loggers were installed in contrasting topographic positions, with special focus on valley floors and interfluve sites to study topoclimatology. Data collection was made at 2-hour intervals during 2000 using Tiny Talk II single-channel 8-bit dataloggers with a 2K EEPROM memory. The air temperature monitoring device was constructed using a specially designed solar radiation shield based on white painted PVC tubes installed at 130 cm above the ground surface. The system is described in Vieira et al. (2000).

Description: The western margin of the Caribbean Plate is a typical example where oceanic and continental terranes have amalgamated by subduction, collision, and strike-slip processes. The boundaries between these blocks, as well as their tectonostratigraphic records, are generally covered by younger deposits and dense tropical vegetation, which may hamper reconstructing the accretionary evolution of the convergent margin. In that context, the study of overlap sedimentary assemblages represents an important tool to constrain the accretion timing of terranes. In northern Central America, the geology of the suture zone between the Chortis Block and the exotic Siuna Intraoceanic Arc indicates that the two terranes were assembled together during a Hauterivian arc-continent collision (ca. 134-131 Ma). The exotic origin of the intraoceanic arc is based on the nature of metamorphic blocks within and the kinematics of the Siuna Serpentinite Mélange. The short duration of the collision event is suggested by coeval exhumation of the Siuna Serpentinite Mélange and Chortis-derived coarse sedimentation (El Amparo Formation) along the suture zone, rapidly followed by onset of pelagic sedimentation (Rio Matis Formation). Although the collision appears to have been short-lived and preserved only in the suture zone, post-collisional extension affected intra- to back-arc settings of the Chortis Block and led to the formation of kilometer-thick extensional basins. We envisage that the convergent margin inboard of SW Mexico-represented by the fringing Guerrero Intraoceanic Arc and the Mixteca continental terrane-underwent similar post-collisional extension, whereas the western margin of the proto-Caribbean oceanic realm experienced onset of WSW-dipping subduction beneath the accreted Siuna Intraoceanic Arc.

Description: The dataset includes hourly air temperature and relative humidity data from Neltner hut (31.063 ºN, 7.93814 W) at 3210 m a.s.l. in the Oued Ihghyghaye valley (High Atlas, Morocco) from 16 June 2015 to 16 July 2016. The data was collected using a Hobo ProV2 datalogger installed inside a radiation shield at ci. 2 m height. The device was installed in a metal structure next to the hut. This research benefited from support of the bilateral project COLDATLAS - "Does permafrost occur in the high mountains of North Africa?" funded by the FCT/CNRST (Portugal-Morocco), with partial funding from the CEG/IGOT - Universidade de Lisboa.

Description: The dataset includes hourly air temperature and relative humidity data from Sidi Chamharouch (31.09763ºN, 7.91291º W) at 2370 m a.s.l. in the Oued Ihghyghaye valley (High Atlas, Morocco) from 16 June 2015 to 16 July 2016. The data was collected using a Hobo ProV2 datalogger installed inside a radiation shield at ci. 2 m height. The device was installed next to Hsin Nsliman Cafe, whom provided surveillance. This research benefited from support of the bilateral project COLDATLAS – “Does permafrost occur in the high mountains of North Africa?” funded by the FCT/CNRST (Portugal–Morocco), with partial funding from the CEG/IGOT – Universidade de Lisboa.

Description: The dataset includes rock temperature data from the south and north slopes of the Cântaro Gordo, a granitic ridge rising to 1,875 m asl at the Serra da Estrela, Central-North Portugal ( 40°20'9"N, 7°35'52.75"W). The temperatures were measured at 1, 5, 10 and 17 cm depth at 2-hour intervals, from december 1999 to april 2001. The loggers were installed at vertical granite rockfaces at 1,860 m asl (north face) and 1,870 m asl (south face) without vegetation other than lichens. The data loggers were single channel Tiny Talk II loggers (Gemini), with 8-bit and 2k EEPROM memmory, with sensors being NTC100 thermistors. The data results from the project PRAXIS/P/CTE/11153/98 funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and are made available in the framework of the Núcleo de ciência e educação em território, clima e alterações climáticas of the Aspiring Geopark Estrela.