Journal Article

Impacts of urbanization on energy balance in a central Amazonia city

Candido, Luiz Antonio, de Lima Xavier, Thiago, Mota, Marcelo Crestani, Hall, Denisi Holanda, Guedes, Alacimar Viana, Andreoli, Rita Valéria, de Figueiredo, Ranyelli Cunha, Dias-Júnior, Cléo Quaresma, Stapleton, Adam, de Melo Monte, Maria Juliana, de Oliveira, Regison da Costa, Fisch, Gilberto, de Jesus Machado, Joice, Mata, Jailson Ramos da, Souza, Rodrigo Augusto Ferreira, de Mendonça, Anne Cristiny Santos, Portela, Bruno Takeshi Tanaka, de Souza Farias, Carla

2025

Overview

We investigate the components of radiation and energy balance and heat storage flux in an urban area of Central Amazonia, during the wet and dry seasons of 2022. Detailed radiation and turbulent energy fluxes measurements were conducted using a 30-meter micrometeorological tower. The analyses include an assessment of the energy balance closure, incorporating the urban canopy heat storage term. The main findings were: (i) A footprint analysis showed that during the wet season, the primary energy flux sources were from the impermeable surfaces, while in the dry season, in addition to impermeable surfaces, green areas also influenced the fluxes; (ii) Incoming shortwave radiation was significantly higher during the dry season; (iii) Albedo was higher in dry season compared to the wet season; (iv) Latent heat flux showed low sensitivity to seasonal variability, compared to sensible heat flux; (v) Energy balance closure significantly improved with the inclusion of urban canopy heat storage and soil heat flux, highlighting their critical roles in reducing energy imbalances. The measurements presented in this study are the first Eddy Covariance measurements for an urban region of the Amazon. These results are important for urban climate modeling in tropical regions, providing insights into the impacts of urbanization in the Amazon region.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 704/172 / 704/172/4081 / Albedo / Amazon region / Atmosphere / Atmospheric boundary layer / Canopies / Cities / Climate change / Climate models / Dry season / Eddy covariance measurements / Energy / Energy balance / Energy balance closure / Fluctuations / Heat / Heat storage / Humanities and Social Sciences / Land use / Latent heat / Megacities / multidisciplinary / Outdoor air quality / Population / Radiation / Rainy season / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Seasonal variations / Seasons / Sensible heat / Tropical environment / Tropical environments / Urban areas / Urban climate / Urbanization / Vegetation