Analysis of long-term potential gradient variations measured in the Argentinian Andes

Tacza, J.; Raulin, Jean-Pierre; Morales, Carlos A.; Macotela, Edith L.; Marun, A.; Fernandez, G.

doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2020.105200

Cited by 16 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…In addition, the field variations clearly show a trend towards a decrease in the average annual values of the field strength. A similar trend was described earlier in our work [8] and its presence is confirmed in new studies [9]. In order to clearly understand what effect solar activity has on the atmospheric electric field, it is necessary to continue continuous measurements in the next cycle of solar activity.…”

Section: Experimental Data and Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Seasonal and annual variations in the strength of the atmospheric electric field in the 24th cycle of solar activity measured in Yakutsk

2020

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The paper presents the results of measuring the strength of the atmospheric electric field in fair weather conditions in the 24th cycle of solar activity from 2009 to 2019 according to observations in Yakutsk (North-east of Siberia). Intensity of the atmospheric electric field measurements by an electric field-mill sensor, mounted on the roof of the main building of the SchICRA SB RAS (N 62 ° 1 ‘, E129 ° 43’) in Yakutsk. The field-mill sensor has a measurement range of the atmospheric electric field strength +/- 50 kV/m with an accuracy of +/- 1 V/m. The data acquisition system based on a personal computer and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) E 14-440 L-Card. Data is written to the hard disc drive of the data acquisition system with a one second resolution data. Based on the analysis of data on the atmospheric electric field from 2009 to 2019 it was found that the seasonal variation of the monthly mean values of the field strength has maxima in the spring and autumn months and minima in the summer and winter months. Annual variations of the field strength in fair weather conditions over the observation period have a general trend towards a decrease in the field strength.

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Section: Experimental Data and Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Seasonal and annual variations in the strength of the atmospheric electric field in the 24th cycle of solar activity measured in Yakutsk

2020

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“…The fair-weather conditions refer to weather conditions of none or small cloudiness, no precipitation, fog or dust, and strong wind at the measurement site (e.g., Imyanitov & Chubarina, 1967). In a previous work, Tacza et al (2021) highlighted the possibility of providing reliable PG diurnal variations in fair weather conditions at CASLEO. To ensure fulfillment of the criteria of fairweather at CASLEO we have used a Cloud Sensor II (Boltwood Systems Corporation), and a Vantage Pro (Davis Instruments) for controlling cloudiness and the other meteorological parameters: presence of precipitation, wind speed (<6 m/s), relative humidity (<90%).…”

Section: Observation Site and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), located in Poland, during the period between January 2010 and December 2019. A detailed description of the site locations and the instrumentation are described in previous works (Kubicki et al., 2016; Tacza et al., 2021) and we only provide a brief description here.…”

Section: Observation Site and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Effects of Solar Proton Events and Forbush Decreases on Ground‐Level Potential Gradient Recorded at Middle and Low Latitudes and Different Altitudes

et al. 2022

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High‐energetic charged particles, such as solar protons, and phenomena such as Forbush decreases are eligible candidates to affect the global electric circuit. These effects have been studied by analyzing disturbances of the potential gradient in ground‐based measurements in fair weather regions. In this paper, we investigate deviations in the potential gradient diurnal curve, during solar proton events, and Forbush decreases, from the mean values obtained in fair weather conditions. In each situation, we select only events which are not accompanied or followed by the other. Using the superposed epoch analysis, in order to enhance the visualization of small effects, we study the potential gradient data recorded between January 2010 and December 2019 at two stations located at low and middle‐latitudes, and at two different altitudes: the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), Argentina: 31.78°S, 2550 m a.s.l., and the Geophysical Observatory in Świder (SWIDER), Poland: 52.12°N, 100 m a.s.l., respectively. For intense solar proton events (>100 MeV) we found a statistically significant increase of the potential gradient after solar proton events recorded at CASLEO and no such deviation in the potential gradient recorded at SWIDER. For Forbush decrease events (greater than 4%), no significant deviation of the potential gradient after the start of the event was found in both stations, however for very intense Forbush decreases (>7%) we found an increase of the potential gradient recorded at CASLEO.

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“…Bennett (2007) reports an 11-day periodicity in PG, air-Earth conduction current (Jc) and near surface conductivity at Reading, United Kingdom, from 14 months of data during 2006-2007, but does not conclude the origin of the periodicity. However, detailed spectral analysis of PG data from Argentina (Tacza et al, 2021) and Portugal (Silva et al, 2014), do not find evidence of these additional periodicities. To further test whether such periodicities are more common at high latitude sites, wavelet analysis was also performed on the PG data from Vostok station (figure not shown here), and 10-and 48-days oscillations were observed, as for Halley and Sodankyla.…”

Section: Spectral Analysismentioning

confidence: 92%

Measuring Global Signals in the Potential Gradient at High Latitude Sites

et al. 2021

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Previous research has shown that the study of the global electrical circuit can be relevant to climate change studies, and this can be done through measurements of the potential gradient near the surface in fair weather conditions. However, potential gradient measurements can be highly variable due to different local effects (e.g., pollution, convective processes). In order to try to minimize these effects, potential gradient measurements can be performed at remote locations where anthropogenic influences are small. In this work we present potential gradient measurements from five stations at high latitudes in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. This is the first description of new datasets from Halley, Antarctica; and Sodankyla, Finland. The effect of the polar cap ionospheric potential can be significant at some polar stations and detailed analysis performed here demonstrates a negligible effect on the surface potential gradient at Halley and Sodankyla. New criteria for determination of fair weather conditions at snow covered sites is also reported, demonstrating that wind speeds as low as 3 m/s can loft snow particles, and that the fetch of the measurement site is an important factor in determining this threshold wind speed. Daily and seasonal analysis of the potential gradient in fair weather conditions shows great agreement with the “universal” Carnegie curve of the global electric circuit, particularly at Halley. This demonstrates that high latitude sites, at which the magnetic and solar influences can be present, can also provide globally representative measurement sites for study of the global electric circuit.

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Analysis of long-term potential gradient variations measured in the Argentinian Andes

Cited by 16 publications

References 66 publications

Seasonal and annual variations in the strength of the atmospheric electric field in the 24th cycle of solar activity measured in Yakutsk

Seasonal and annual variations in the strength of the atmospheric electric field in the 24th cycle of solar activity measured in Yakutsk

Investigating Effects of Solar Proton Events and Forbush Decreases on Ground‐Level Potential Gradient Recorded at Middle and Low Latitudes and Different Altitudes

Measuring Global Signals in the Potential Gradient at High Latitude Sites

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