Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island
The climate of Marion Island is driven by synoptic weather patterns which have also been suggested to influence the soil thermal characteristics. The primary aim of this work was to examine the effect of synoptic weather systems on soil temperature dynamics on an altitudinal gradient on the eastern...
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ftsealsdc:vital:11516 2024-09-15T17:40:19+00:00 Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island Bierman, Stefni 2014 73 leaves; 30 cm pdf http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11516 http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532 English eng University of Fort Hare Faculty of Science & Agriculture vital:11516 http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11516 http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532 University of Fort Hare Thesis Masters MSc (Geography) 2014 ftsealsdc 2024-07-29T23:41:47Z The climate of Marion Island is driven by synoptic weather patterns which have also been suggested to influence the soil thermal characteristics. The primary aim of this work was to examine the effect of synoptic weather systems on soil temperature dynamics on an altitudinal gradient on the eastern side of Marion Island. The study specifically addresses the implications of climate change on future soil thermal dynamics in a maritime sub-Antarctic environment. Ground temperature were obtained from three ground temperature monitoring stations on the eastern side of Marion Island, which were established along an altitudinal gradient at Long Ridge North (200m a.s.l.), Katedraalkrans (750m a.s.l) and at Delta Extension (1000m a.s.l.). To assess the synoptic weather circulation patterns, a synoptic climate classification methodology that is based on the single station principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis were used. Results show that certain clusters were more dominant than others and over the measured time span certain synoptic weather patterns, mainly cyclonic air circulation types, have decreased while anticyclonic circulation have increased. Soil frost occurs at all three stations on Marion Island, not only under cyclonic circulations (as previously suggested) but significantly under anticyclonic air mass circulation as well. Soil frost is dependent on the duration of post-cyclonic Antarctic air mass circulation. Synoptic weather patterns are also affecting ground surface lapse rates. Changes from positive to negative lapse rates were observed and this predominantly occurred under the atmospheric circulation pattern associated with clusters that are predominantly anticyclonic. Long term climatic change as predicted by the PCA show a reduction in low pressure systems or more anticyclonic conditions affecting the island. These change will significantly affect the soil thermal dynamics at an altitudinal scale on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Master Thesis Antarc* Antarctic Marion Island SEALS Digital Commons (South East Academic Libraries System, South Africa) |
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English |
description |
The climate of Marion Island is driven by synoptic weather patterns which have also been suggested to influence the soil thermal characteristics. The primary aim of this work was to examine the effect of synoptic weather systems on soil temperature dynamics on an altitudinal gradient on the eastern side of Marion Island. The study specifically addresses the implications of climate change on future soil thermal dynamics in a maritime sub-Antarctic environment. Ground temperature were obtained from three ground temperature monitoring stations on the eastern side of Marion Island, which were established along an altitudinal gradient at Long Ridge North (200m a.s.l.), Katedraalkrans (750m a.s.l) and at Delta Extension (1000m a.s.l.). To assess the synoptic weather circulation patterns, a synoptic climate classification methodology that is based on the single station principal component (PCA) and cluster analysis were used. Results show that certain clusters were more dominant than others and over the measured time span certain synoptic weather patterns, mainly cyclonic air circulation types, have decreased while anticyclonic circulation have increased. Soil frost occurs at all three stations on Marion Island, not only under cyclonic circulations (as previously suggested) but significantly under anticyclonic air mass circulation as well. Soil frost is dependent on the duration of post-cyclonic Antarctic air mass circulation. Synoptic weather patterns are also affecting ground surface lapse rates. Changes from positive to negative lapse rates were observed and this predominantly occurred under the atmospheric circulation pattern associated with clusters that are predominantly anticyclonic. Long term climatic change as predicted by the PCA show a reduction in low pressure systems or more anticyclonic conditions affecting the island. These change will significantly affect the soil thermal dynamics at an altitudinal scale on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. |
format |
Master Thesis |
author |
Bierman, Stefni |
spellingShingle |
Bierman, Stefni Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
author_facet |
Bierman, Stefni |
author_sort |
Bierman, Stefni |
title |
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
title_short |
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
title_full |
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
title_fullStr |
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
title_full_unstemmed |
Synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-Antarctic Marion Island |
title_sort |
synoptic circulation patterns and its relationship with ground thermal characteristics along an altitudinal transect on sub-antarctic marion island |
publisher |
University of Fort Hare |
publishDate |
2014 |
url |
http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11516 http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532 |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Marion Island |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Marion Island |
op_relation |
vital:11516 http://vital.seals.ac.za:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11516 http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015532 |
op_rights |
University of Fort Hare |
_version_ |
1810486319842852864 |