Zbigniew Caputa | University of Silesia in Katowice (original) (raw)

Papers by Zbigniew Caputa

In this paper the authors made an attempt to create the digital topoclimatic map as a result of s... more In this paper the authors made an attempt to create the digital topoclimatic map as a result of spatial analysis of existing GIS environmental database. For this purpose the test area around Jastrzębie Zdrój town have been chosen where the set of analogue topoclimatic maps have been created in previous years. The existing maps have been then used for validation of new, fully digital product. For the project purpose the GIS database have been completed from existing digital data: e.g. Digital Terrain Model DTM (DTED level 2), Hydrological Map of Poland scale 1: 50 000 and Environmental Map. The algorithm for topoclimate evaluation was created based on the non-instrumental method. The obtained results from this test show that for most areas the correct topoclimate information may be retrieved automatically and applied GIS tools allowed evaluating of 21 topoclimate types. Applying more up-to date input data e.g. from aerial or satellite imagery will allow in future also to determine topoclimate changes in time and space. The digital database and spatial analysis have been performed using public domain GIS software GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System).

The paper presents the results of the research on interaction between selected air pollution indi... more The paper presents the results of the research on interaction between selected air pollution indicators such as: suspended particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, nitric dioxide and ozone, and some meteorological components, like radiation, air temperature, cloudiness and wind velocity. Measurement points of air pollutions and meteorological conditions are located in several cities situated in Katowice Region. The research covers the period from 1993 to 2008. Analyses of dependence were made for the daily, seasonal and annual distributions, as well as for the sporadic events. They were presented against the background of synoptic conditions of the research area. Received results will serve as a basis for the formation of a model of distribution of pollutions against the background of climatic conditions of an urban area.

Ground temperature variations have been analysed to the depth of 160 cm, with respect to meteorol... more Ground temperature variations have been analysed to the depth of 160 cm, with respect to meteorological elements and short−wave radiation balance. The database of the ground temperature covers a thirteen month−long period (May 1992 -June 1993), which in− cluded both the seasons of complete freezing of the ground and thaw. Special attention has been given to the development of perennial permafrost and its spatial distribution. In summer, the depth of thawing ground varied in different types of ground -at the Polish Polar Station, this was ca. 130 cm. The ground froze completely in the first week of October. Its thawing started in June. The snow cover restrained heat penetration in the ground, which hindered the ground thawing process. Cross−correlation shows a significant influence of the radiation bal− ance (K*) on the values of near−surface ground temperatures (r 2 = 0.62 for summer). Fig. 1. Locations where ground temperature and radiation balance were measured.

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009

The Katowice Region is the most urbanised and industrialised region in Poland. Local meteorologic... more The Katowice Region is the most urbanised and industrialised region in Poland. Local meteorological and circulation conditions significantly influence the pollution level. The study has integrated measurement results of temperature and selected air pollution indices (PM10, SO 2 , NO, NO 2 , O 3 , CO) with the calendar of synoptic circulation types by Niedźwiedź. Because the highest values of temperature inversion in the near-ground air layer occur in the south-western (SWa) and southern (Sa) anticyclone circulation as well as in the anticyclone centre (Ca) and anticyclonic ridge (Ka), the allowable limits of atmospheric pollution concentrations are often exceeded in the Katowice Region.

The paper presents research results of the thermal structure of the near-ground atmospheric layer... more The paper presents research results of the thermal structure of the near-ground atmospheric layer (100 m) carried out in the years 1993-2005 in Sosnowiec. It is a city located in the central part of the most urbanised and industrialised Katowice Region in Poland. Research of seasonal changes in the frequency of near-ground inversions of temperature revealed their most frequent occurrence on clear winter days. In this season, temperature inversions can sometimes persist for the whole day and night. Air temperature inversions over Sosnowiec occur mainly during anticyclonic stagnation (Ca-anticyclone centre and Ka-anticyclonic ridge) and in anticyclones with air advection from the south and southwest (Sa and SWa).

In this paper the authors made an attempt to create the digital topoclimatic map as a result of s... more In this paper the authors made an attempt to create the digital topoclimatic map as a result of spatial analysis of existing GIS environmental database. For this purpose the test area around Jastrzębie Zdrój town have been chosen where the set of analogue topoclimatic maps have been created in previous years. The existing maps have been then used for validation of new, fully digital product. For the project purpose the GIS database have been completed from existing digital data: e.g. Digital Terrain Model DTM (DTED level 2), Hydrological Map of Poland scale 1: 50 000 and Environmental Map. The algorithm for topoclimate evaluation was created based on the non-instrumental method. The obtained results from this test show that for most areas the correct topoclimate information may be retrieved automatically and applied GIS tools allowed evaluating of 21 topoclimate types. Applying more up-to date input data e.g. from aerial or satellite imagery will allow in future also to determine topoclimate changes in time and space. The digital database and spatial analysis have been performed using public domain GIS software GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System).

The paper presents the results of the research on interaction between selected air pollution indi... more The paper presents the results of the research on interaction between selected air pollution indicators such as: suspended particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, nitric dioxide and ozone, and some meteorological components, like radiation, air temperature, cloudiness and wind velocity. Measurement points of air pollutions and meteorological conditions are located in several cities situated in Katowice Region. The research covers the period from 1993 to 2008. Analyses of dependence were made for the daily, seasonal and annual distributions, as well as for the sporadic events. They were presented against the background of synoptic conditions of the research area. Received results will serve as a basis for the formation of a model of distribution of pollutions against the background of climatic conditions of an urban area.

Ground temperature variations have been analysed to the depth of 160 cm, with respect to meteorol... more Ground temperature variations have been analysed to the depth of 160 cm, with respect to meteorological elements and short−wave radiation balance. The database of the ground temperature covers a thirteen month−long period (May 1992 -June 1993), which in− cluded both the seasons of complete freezing of the ground and thaw. Special attention has been given to the development of perennial permafrost and its spatial distribution. In summer, the depth of thawing ground varied in different types of ground -at the Polish Polar Station, this was ca. 130 cm. The ground froze completely in the first week of October. Its thawing started in June. The snow cover restrained heat penetration in the ground, which hindered the ground thawing process. Cross−correlation shows a significant influence of the radiation bal− ance (K*) on the values of near−surface ground temperatures (r 2 = 0.62 for summer). Fig. 1. Locations where ground temperature and radiation balance were measured.

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009

The Katowice Region is the most urbanised and industrialised region in Poland. Local meteorologic... more The Katowice Region is the most urbanised and industrialised region in Poland. Local meteorological and circulation conditions significantly influence the pollution level. The study has integrated measurement results of temperature and selected air pollution indices (PM10, SO 2 , NO, NO 2 , O 3 , CO) with the calendar of synoptic circulation types by Niedźwiedź. Because the highest values of temperature inversion in the near-ground air layer occur in the south-western (SWa) and southern (Sa) anticyclone circulation as well as in the anticyclone centre (Ca) and anticyclonic ridge (Ka), the allowable limits of atmospheric pollution concentrations are often exceeded in the Katowice Region.

The paper presents research results of the thermal structure of the near-ground atmospheric layer... more The paper presents research results of the thermal structure of the near-ground atmospheric layer (100 m) carried out in the years 1993-2005 in Sosnowiec. It is a city located in the central part of the most urbanised and industrialised Katowice Region in Poland. Research of seasonal changes in the frequency of near-ground inversions of temperature revealed their most frequent occurrence on clear winter days. In this season, temperature inversions can sometimes persist for the whole day and night. Air temperature inversions over Sosnowiec occur mainly during anticyclonic stagnation (Ca-anticyclone centre and Ka-anticyclonic ridge) and in anticyclones with air advection from the south and southwest (Sa and SWa).