ClimateClimate

ClimateClimate:: sum of all statistical weather info sum of all statistical weather info that helps describe a place or region. It is athat helps describe a place or region. It is a dynamic complex of meteorological and dynamic complex of meteorological and

cosmic factors for a long period of time and cosmic factors for a long period of time and is characterized by a is characterized by a middle expression ofmiddle expression of:: AAtmospheric pressuretmospheric pressureAir temperatuteAir temperatuteAir humidityAir humidityAir velocity (winds) Air velocity (winds) Sun radiation, RainingSun radiation, Raining

The particularity of the climate are The particularity of the climate are defined by:defined by:

Geografic latitude and attitudeGeografic latitude and attitude Relief of the territoryRelief of the territory Vegetation (forests)Vegetation (forests)

Water reservoirs (see, lakes, rivers)Water reservoirs (see, lakes, rivers)

For more detailed evaluation the climate For more detailed evaluation the climate could be divided into:could be divided into:

Macro-climate – in given geographic zoneMacro-climate – in given geographic zone

““Middle-climate” – in a given placeMiddle-climate” – in a given place

““Micro-climate” – in closed roomsMicro-climate” – in closed rooms

The climatic zones are confined within the The climatic zones are confined within the isothermal lines.isothermal lines. These lines connect all points These lines connect all points

with equal annual air temperatures.with equal annual air temperatures. - Tropical climate – between equator and 25- Tropical climate – between equator and 25°C °C

isothermisotherm- Subtropical climate - Subtropical climate - between 25between 25°C and 15°C °C and 15°C

isothermisotherm- Moderate climate - Moderate climate - between 15between 15°C and 5°C °C and 5°C

isothermisotherm- Cold climateCold climate

Bulgaria is in the moderate climate zone.Bulgaria is in the moderate climate zone.

WeatherWeather

WeatherWeather: State of the atmosphere at a given : State of the atmosphere at a given time and place; constantly changing.time and place; constantly changing.Weather is described by variables such as:Weather is described by variables such as:

TemperatureTemperaturePressurePressureWind Speed and DirectionWind Speed and DirectionPrecipitationPrecipitationCloud CoverCloud Cover

Depending on the meteorological factors Depending on the meteorological factors WEATHER could beWEATHER could be::

OptimalOptimal – – with small daily air temperature with small daily air temperature amplitude (2amplitude (2°C)°C) and air velocity less than 3 and air velocity less than 3

m/sm/s IrritatingIrritating – one or more of the – one or more of the

meteorological factors are out of their meteorological factors are out of their optimal levels; air velocity is up to 8 m/s; optimal levels; air velocity is up to 8 m/s;

high high daily air temperature amplitude daily air temperature amplitude Sharp Sharp – significant changes of – significant changes of

meteorological factorsmeteorological factors

TheThe adaptation of people to slowadaptation of people to slow changes of changes of meteorological factors is good, but isn’t such meteorological factors is good, but isn’t such

to sharp ones.to sharp ones.More sensitive people could suffer some More sensitive people could suffer some

unfavorable health conditions like unfavorable health conditions like cardiovascular problems (hypertension), cardiovascular problems (hypertension),

neuroses, arthritis, cerebro-vascular neuroses, arthritis, cerebro-vascular diseases, bronchial hypersensitivity.diseases, bronchial hypersensitivity. The prophylactic measures include The prophylactic measures include

healthful style of living, training, healthy healthful style of living, training, healthy nutrition, suited clothing, medicaments.nutrition, suited clothing, medicaments.

What is the difference between What is the difference between weather and climate?weather and climate?

Weather is what you see outside of the Weather is what you see outside of the window, climate is the weather window, climate is the weather conditions of an area averaged over a conditions of an area averaged over a long period (30 years)long period (30 years)

WeatherWeather oror Climate???Climate??? The average high temperature for the month of The average high temperature for the month of

July in Chicago is 84oF.July in Chicago is 84oF. Cumulus clouds presently cover the entire sky.Cumulus clouds presently cover the entire sky. Snow is falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour.Snow is falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour. The summers here are warm and humid.The summers here are warm and humid. At 3:00 p.m, winds were blowing from the NW.At 3:00 p.m, winds were blowing from the NW. Total precipitation at O’Hare Airport for 2003 Total precipitation at O’Hare Airport for 2003

was 32.02 inches, which is 4.25 inches below was 32.02 inches, which is 4.25 inches below normal.normal.

How do we measure climate factors?How do we measure climate factors?

Aneroid Barometer

Anemometer

Radiosonde

Wind and rain Gauge

LatitudeLatitude

(T) The further away from the equator" (T) The further away from the equator" the colder it is.the colder it is.

(P) Closer to the poles results in lower (P) Closer to the poles results in lower precipitation precipitation

Unequal Earth HeatingUnequal Earth Heating

Incident light is spread over a greater area near the poles, less heat is radiated from the earth.

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents ((T) When warm, they raise temperatures along T) When warm, they raise temperatures along

the coast (especially in winter) and when cold, the coast (especially in winter) and when cold, they lower temperatures (especially in they lower temperatures (especially in summer)summer)

(P) When warm, they help to create wet (P) When warm, they help to create wet coastal climates, when cold, they help to create coastal climates, when cold, they help to create drier coastal climates drier coastal climates

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Heat Conveyor BeltHeat Conveyor Belt

Figure 4.5Figure 4.5

WindsWinds

(T) When they move off large bodies of (T) When they move off large bodies of water ontowater onto land they moderate land they moderate temperatures temperatures

(P) When they move from ocean areas (P) When they move from ocean areas onto land theyonto land they bring moisture. Land to bring moisture. Land to Land = Drier climatesLand = Drier climates

Global atmospheric circulation. Note the prevailing winds and areas where there is little horizontal air

movement, the horse latitudes and doldrums.

ElevationElevation

(T) The Higher you go, the colder it gets! (T) The Higher you go, the colder it gets! Dry air decreases temperature at a rate of Dry air decreases temperature at a rate of 11OOC per 100m.C per 100m.

(P) The Higher you go the more (P) The Higher you go the more precipitation you are likely to getprecipitation you are likely to get

ReliefRelief

(T) Landforms block winds and air (T) Landforms block winds and air masses, so temperatures from one side to masses, so temperatures from one side to the other can be quite differentthe other can be quite different

ReliefRelief

(P) Windward areas are wet, as air rises (P) Windward areas are wet, as air rises and deposits moisture. Leeward areas are and deposits moisture. Leeward areas are dry as winds descend, warm up and dry as winds descend, warm up and evaporate moisture.evaporate moisture.

Windward

warmer Leeward

colder

Nearness to WaterNearness to Water

Maritime climates (by the ocean) are Maritime climates (by the ocean) are moderated (cooler summers, warmer moderated (cooler summers, warmer winters) by the ocean.winters) by the ocean.

Precipitation is higher in maritime Precipitation is higher in maritime climates than in continental (inland) climates than in continental (inland) climates.climates.

Review: World climate patternsReview: World climate patterns Concepts:Concepts:

The earth heats unevenlyThe earth heats unevenlyBecause of its tilt and the fact that it is a Because of its tilt and the fact that it is a

spheresphere This uneven heating drives global circulationThis uneven heating drives global circulation There is predictable variability in climate, at There is predictable variability in climate, at

local to global scaleslocal to global scales Because it is a sphere:Because it is a sphere: Radiation is spread over more area at the high Radiation is spread over more area at the high

latitudes than at the equatorlatitudes than at the equator

Hygienic characteristic of physical Hygienic characteristic of physical factors of atmospherefactors of atmosphere

Physical factors of atmosphere could Physical factors of atmosphere could be divided into:be divided into:

- Meteorological factors - Meteorological factors – atmospheric – atmospheric (barometric) pressure, air temperature, (barometric) pressure, air temperature, humidity, atmospheric electricity and humidity, atmospheric electricity and ionization of the air.ionization of the air.

- - Factors, arising from the cosmos Factors, arising from the cosmos – sun – sun radiation, heliomagnetic factorsradiation, heliomagnetic factors

Meteorological factorsMeteorological factorsAtmospheric pressureAtmospheric pressure

It is an important factor in climate formation. It is an important factor in climate formation.

Atmospheric pressure over the surfaces and Atmospheric pressure over the surfaces and bodies is due to the weight of air layers because of bodies is due to the weight of air layers because of the gravitation. the gravitation.

At the sea level, vertical air column of 1 At the sea level, vertical air column of 1 square sm. Has middle mass of 1013 g and is square sm. Has middle mass of 1013 g and is balanced by Hg column with 760 mm altitude. It is balanced by Hg column with 760 mm altitude. It is 1 atmosphere and is accepted as a normal value at 1 atmosphere and is accepted as a normal value at the sea level. the sea level.

Air pressure inside and outside the body has been Air pressure inside and outside the body has been equalized by the respiratory tract with greater equalized by the respiratory tract with greater amounts of gases being absorbed to the tissues and amounts of gases being absorbed to the tissues and compressed into body cavities. compressed into body cavities.

As the atmospheric pressure is increased or As the atmospheric pressure is increased or decreased some discomfort or diseases could be decreased some discomfort or diseases could be manifested.manifested.

1. 1. Health problems related with increased Health problems related with increased atmospheric pressure atmospheric pressure

Such could occur during work under water Such could occur during work under water (diving, work in barocamera). During compression (diving, work in barocamera). During compression the following health efects could be manifested:the following health efects could be manifested:

- Ear trauma- Ear trauma – as a result of a relative – as a result of a relative vacuum in the middle ear – acute of chronic vacuum in the middle ear – acute of chronic inflammation caused by a reduction in air inflammation caused by a reduction in air pressure in the tympani cavity. There is a pressure in the tympani cavity. There is a feeling of fullness in the ears, decreased sound feeling of fullness in the ears, decreased sound density, discomfort and desire to “clear the density, discomfort and desire to “clear the ears”.ears”.

- The “squeeze”- The “squeeze” – dyspnea, heavy – dyspnea, heavy sensation in the chest, a bulging sensation in sensation in the chest, a bulging sensation in the head and eyes, edema and even small the head and eyes, edema and even small hemorrhages in lungs, gastrointestinal tract, hemorrhages in lungs, gastrointestinal tract, nose, ears and facial skin.nose, ears and facial skin.

- - Nitrogen narcosisNitrogen narcosis – occurs at depths – occurs at depths greater than 30 m. The symptoms are greater than 30 m. The symptoms are numbness, discoordination, hallucinations numbness, discoordination, hallucinations and unconsciousness – at depth over 90 m. and unconsciousness – at depth over 90 m. These effects may be prevented by These effects may be prevented by breathing mixtures depleted in nitrogen breathing mixtures depleted in nitrogen by helium. by helium.

- Decompression sickness- Decompression sickness – during the – during the decompression, when the organism is decompression, when the organism is exposed again to surface atmospheric exposed again to surface atmospheric

pressure, the compressed gases in the body pressure, the compressed gases in the body tend to come out of the solution. When it’s tend to come out of the solution. When it’s rapid, bubbles (primary of nitrogen) are rapid, bubbles (primary of nitrogen) are formed in tissues and blood resulting in formed in tissues and blood resulting in blockage of capillaries or even emboli. blockage of capillaries or even emboli.

Symptoms depend on the localization of Symptoms depend on the localization of emboli (lungs, brain etc.). If the emboli (lungs, brain etc.). If the

decompression is slow the gases can be decompression is slow the gases can be exhaled without problems.exhaled without problems.

2. 2. Health problems related with decreased Health problems related with decreased decreased atmospheric pressure.decreased atmospheric pressure. They appear They appear because of the diminished ambient pressure of because of the diminished ambient pressure of oxygen. oxygen.

- - Acute mountain illness – Acute mountain illness – very often quickly very often quickly transiting, manifested with headache, vomiting and transiting, manifested with headache, vomiting and impaired vision.impaired vision.

- - High attitude pulmonary edema - High attitude pulmonary edema - the the symptoms are usually manifested at the 3th day at symptoms are usually manifested at the 3th day at high altitude. At the beginning they are similar to high altitude. At the beginning they are similar to these of mountain disease, but further pulmonary these of mountain disease, but further pulmonary edema develops with cough and even Cheyne-Stokes edema develops with cough and even Cheyne-Stokes breathing.breathing.

Air temperatureAir temperatureDirect heating of air from the sun is Direct heating of air from the sun is

unimportant – only about 0.02%. Air heating is unimportant – only about 0.02%. Air heating is mainly from the infrared irradiation from the mainly from the infrared irradiation from the ground. Factors affecting air temperature are:ground. Factors affecting air temperature are:

- latitude of the place- latitude of the place

- altitude- altitude

- direction of the wind- direction of the wind

- proximity of sea- proximity of sea

- big water reservoirs (lakes), vegetation zones- big water reservoirs (lakes), vegetation zones

The mean year temperature in Bulgaria is 11.5C°.The mean year temperature in Bulgaria is 11.5C°.

Air humidityAir humidityThe humidity of the air depend on its The humidity of the air depend on its

temperature. Humidity could be expressed as temperature. Humidity could be expressed as absolute and relative. Relative humidity is absolute and relative. Relative humidity is used more commonly in health practice.used more commonly in health practice.

Air velocityAir velocityA meteorological parameter, which A meteorological parameter, which

together with temperature and humidity of the together with temperature and humidity of the air determine the microclimate at a certain area air determine the microclimate at a certain area and determining the and determining the thermal comfort.thermal comfort.

Factors, arising from the cosmos Factors, arising from the cosmos A. Sun radiationA. Sun radiation

The spectrum of sun radiation consists of The spectrum of sun radiation consists of ultraviolet radiation – UV (wave length under ultraviolet radiation – UV (wave length under 400 nm), visible radiation (400-760 nm) and 400 nm), visible radiation (400-760 nm) and infrared radiation (over 760 nm).infrared radiation (over 760 nm).

Health effects of UV radiationHealth effects of UV radiation

- Non – specific effects- Non – specific effects – stimulation of – stimulation of protein, lipid and carbohydrates metabolism, protein, lipid and carbohydrates metabolism, improved immunological reactivity, increased improved immunological reactivity, increased melanin production.melanin production.

- - Specific effectsSpecific effects – – shortshort UV waves UV waves

possess bactericidal andpossess bactericidal and mutagenic effects. mutagenic effects.

Limited skin exposure to Limited skin exposure to middlemiddle UV waves UV waves

results in photochemical conversion of pro-results in photochemical conversion of pro-

vitamin D to the active compound. vitamin D to the active compound.

Cumulative effect of repetitive Cumulative effect of repetitive

occupational exposure to occupational exposure to longlong UV waves UV waves

may cause cataract, retinal damage, skin may cause cataract, retinal damage, skin

erythema (sunburn) or skin cancer.erythema (sunburn) or skin cancer.

Effects of visible radiation (VR)Effects of visible radiation (VR)Prolonged and intensive exposure to light Prolonged and intensive exposure to light

could cause serious eye damage. Less traumatic could cause serious eye damage. Less traumatic effect is astenopia (eye strain) – tired eye, visual effect is astenopia (eye strain) – tired eye, visual discomfort, irritation, headache. Also, disturbance discomfort, irritation, headache. Also, disturbance of cardiac rhythm, influencing physical activity, of cardiac rhythm, influencing physical activity, sleep, food consumption etc. could appear. sleep, food consumption etc. could appear.

Effects of infrared radiation (IR)Effects of infrared radiation (IR)

It penetrates skin and induces heating. IR may It penetrates skin and induces heating. IR may cause thermal damage of cornea, iris and retinal cause thermal damage of cornea, iris and retinal lesions. Chronic, long-term exposure may cause lesions. Chronic, long-term exposure may cause cataract.cataract.

B. Electromagnetic radiationB. Electromagnetic radiationIt could be defined as a series of waves It could be defined as a series of waves

composed of oscillating electric and magnetic composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields traveling through space with the speed fields traveling through space with the speed of light. Electromagnetic radiation can of light. Electromagnetic radiation can transmit energy to biological molecules and transmit energy to biological molecules and affect the biological systems. For example, the affect the biological systems. For example, the absorbed energy could be transmitted to heat absorbed energy could be transmitted to heat and increase the tissues temperature. The exact and increase the tissues temperature. The exact biological effects depend on the characteristic biological effects depend on the characteristic of the radiation involved and the sensitivity of of the radiation involved and the sensitivity of the organism.the organism.

Air ionizationAir ionization

It is characterized the grade of formation of It is characterized the grade of formation of

positive and negative air ions. The concentration of positive and negative air ions. The concentration of

positive air ions is increased in polluted urban areas positive air ions is increased in polluted urban areas

and indoor air. and indoor air.

The concentration negative air ions is higher The concentration negative air ions is higher

in mountains, wood areas, near the see and in mountains, wood areas, near the see and

waterfalls. They are indicator of air purity and have waterfalls. They are indicator of air purity and have

favorable health effects.favorable health effects.

Health effects of physical factors of Health effects of physical factors of the atmospherethe atmosphere

Positive – negative air ionsPositive – negative air ions Negative Negative

- heat stroke (disturbed mechanisms of - heat stroke (disturbed mechanisms of thermoregulation); -thermoregulation); -

- sun stroke (directs exposure of head to - sun stroke (directs exposure of head to sun); sun); - heat exhaustion; - heat exhaustion;

- heat syncope; - heat syncope;

- effects of cold stress etc.- effects of cold stress etc.