Loading...
Long term evolution of the surface refractivity for arctic regions
Bettouche, Y. Kouki, A. Agba, B. Obeidat, Huthaifa A.N. Alhassan, H. Rodriguez, Jonathan Jones, Steven M.R.
Bettouche, Y.
Kouki, A.
Agba, B.
Obeidat, Huthaifa A.N.
Alhassan, H.
Rodriguez, Jonathan
Jones, Steven M.R.
Publication Date
2019-07
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
©2019 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
2019-06-22
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Additional title
Abstract
In this paper, local meteorological data for a period of 35 years (from 1979 to 2013) from Kuujuaq station have been used to calculate the surface refractivity, N and to estimate the vertical refractivity gradient, dN1, in the lowest atmospheric layer above the ground. Monthly and yearly variations of the mean of N and dN1 are provided. The values obtained are compared with the corresponding values from the ITU maps. The long-term trend of the surface refractivity is also investigated. The data demonstrate that the indices N and dN1 are subject to an evolution which may have significance in the context of climate change (CC). Monthly means of N show an increasing departure from ITU-R values since 1990. Yearly mean values of the dN1 show a progressive decrease over the period of study. Seasonal means of dN1 show a decrease over time, especially for summer. Such a trend may increase the occurrence of super-refraction. However, currently available ITU-R recommendations for microwave link design assume a stationary climate, so there is a need for a new modelling approach.
Version
Published version
Citation
Bettouche Y, Kouki A, Agba B et al (2019) Long term evolution of the surface refractivity for arctic regions. Radio Science. 54(7): 602-611.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article