The Vrancea zone in Romania located at the bending of the South-Eastern Carpathians is one of the high-risk seismic zones in Europe, characterized by high occurrence of intermediate-depth earthquakes, confined in a 60–200 km depth lithospheric volume. For continuously surveillance of Vrancea seismic active area in Romania, this study developed and implemented an advanced integrated methodology of multi-field time series satellite- and ground-based observational data of seismic precursors and lithosphere-atmosphere coupling modelling, for new seismic increased activity indicators design. Based on the seismic records in synergy with atmospheric and land surface pre-seismic anomalies detection from Land Surface Temperature (LST) from the time series MODIS Terra/Aqua and NOAA AVHRR along with Air Temperature (AT), this study found significant correlations with moderate seismic events of moment magnitude Mw ≥ 5 on Richter scale for 2012-2023 period. The findings of this study aim to improve, by cross-validating, the methodologies for seismic hazard assessment in Romania due to Vrancea source and detect preparatory seismic phases and precursors. Early detection and monitoring of induced geophysical anomalies can help the decision makers in mitigating the impact and improve disaster response efforts. By this, will contribute at promoting an EOS for Romania in frame of ESA Copernicus. The investigation of the seismo-associated phenomena from space is a challenge for Earth Observation and earthquake forecasting, having a high impact on the seismicity monitoring for SDGs as well for Natural Hazard Directive in the EU.
KEYWORDS: Vegetation, Air contamination, Climatology, MODIS, Air temperature, Climate change, Land cover, Environmental monitoring, Satellites, Temperature metrology
In frame of the global warming and urban growth, Bucharest residents and its ecosystem will be more vulnerable to increased levels of air pollution and heat stress related to urban heat island (UHI) effect and the increased frequency and duration of heat waves (HWs) during summer June-August months. The response of air quality to climate change is an increasing concern at both the local and global levels. This study examined the response of urban thermal environment to air pollution and climate variability in Bucharest, Romania, from a spatiotemporal perspective during the 2020-2023 period. Through synergy use of time series of geospatial and in-situ air pollution (particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO), and climate data in relation with derived vegetation biophysical variables, this study developed a complex statistical and spatial regression analysis. Was quantified air pollution relationship with urban thermal environment defined by land surface temperature-LST and air temperature at 2m height AT. Green space was measured with MODIS Terra satellite-derived normalized vegetation index- NDVI, which captures the combined availability of urban parks, street trees, forest, and periurban agricultural areas. A distinct spatiotemporal difference across the urban/periurban gradient, air temperature -TA and land surface temperature -LST anomalies is associated with urbanization-induced climate warming, especially during summer UHIs and HWs. The findings of this study contribute to developing advanced models to predict air pollution impacts on urban heat under future urbanization, and also in urban planning for better mitigation and optimizing air quality in future green cities.
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