Anna Błażejczyk

Articles

Regional features of the bioclimate of Central and Southern Europe against the background of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification

Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Jarosław Baranowski, Gerd Jendritzky, Anna Błażejczyk, Peter Bröde, Dusan Fiala

Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 3, pp. 439-453 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.0027

Further information

Abstract

This paper presents an application of the Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI to studies of regional variability in human-biometeorological conditions. The variability in question was assessed by reference to selected meteorological stations representing Central and Southern Europe, i.e. Kołobrzeg, Warsaw and Świeradów (in Poland), Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Milan, Rome and Athens, with the bioclimatic features characterising these localities being presented against the background of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. In line with that classification, the first five stations are found to represent the cold climate zones (Dfb, Dfc). The last four stations are in turn located in the temperate climate zones (Cfa, Cfb, Csa). Seasonal changes in UTCI values and the frequency of occurrence of UTCI categories are discussed. Significant regional differences in bioclimatic characteristics were found between the stations representing various types of climate. While the highest summer values for UTCI are very similar at all stations (39-42°C), the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong heat stress (SHS) varied from 2% at the coastal station of Kołobrzeg in Poland to more than 50% at the Milan, Rome and Athens stations. In winter the lowest UTCI values are much differentiated regionally, from -54°C at the mountain station in Świeradów, Poland,to -22°C in Rome. In the zone of cold climate, the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong coldstress (SCS) is >40%, while in the temperate climates, strong cold stress is characteristic of less than 2% of winter days.

Keywords: human bioclimate, Universal Thermal Climate Index, Köppen-Geiger climate classification, seasonal and regional variability of bioclimate

Krzysztof Błażejczyk [k.blaz@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Jarosław Baranowski [j.bar@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Gerd Jendritzky, University of Freiburg Chair of Meteorology and Climatology Werthmannstraße 10, 79085 Freiburg: Germany
Anna Błażejczyk [anna@blazejczyk.eu], Laboratory of Bioclimatology and Environmental Ergonomics Łukowska 17/55, 04-133 Warsaw: Poland
Peter Bröde [broede@ifado.de], Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) Ardeystr 67, D-44139 Dortmund: Germany
Dusan Fiala, ErgonSim-Comfort Energy Efficiency Holderbuschweg 47, D-70563 Stuttgart: Germany

Changes in UV radiation intensity and their possible impact on skin cancer in Poland

Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Anna Błażejczyk

Geographia Polonica (2012) vol. 85, iss. 2, pp. 57-64 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.2012.2.11

Further information

Abstract

UV radiation is a high-energy part of sunlight. Simultaneous changes in global radiation have been observed duringrecent decades. Close relationships have been found between UV intensity near ground level and the destruction of thestratospheric ozone layer known as the ozone hole. This has great consequences for all ecological systems on Earth aswell as for human health. The UV Index (UVI) was developed for the monitoring of the level and composition of UV raysreaching the lower troposphere. The paper presents changes in the UVI in Poland in the period 1996-2011. We also discussthe possible influence of changes in level of ultraviolet radiation (represented by UVI) on the frequency of skin cancer.

Keywords: UV radiation, UVI, skin cancer, Poland, climate change

Krzysztof Błażejczyk [k.blaz@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Anna Błażejczyk [anna@blazejczyk.eu], Laboratory of Bioclimatology and Environmental Ergonomics Łukowska 17/55, 04-133 Warsaw: Poland