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Throstur Thorsteinsson
Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 7, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland

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Journal article
Published: 26 August 2021 in Sustainability
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Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) are a significant source of atmospheric particulate matter and microplastic loading to waterways. Road wear is exacerbated in cold climate by the widespread use of studded tires. The goal of this research was to assess the anthropogenic levers for suspendable road dust generation and climatic conditions governing the environmental fate of non-exhaust particles in a wet maritime winter climate. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the NORTRIP model for the Capital region of Reykjavík, Iceland (64.1° N). Precipitation frequency (secondarily atmospheric relative humidity) governed the partitioning between atmospheric and waterborne PM10 particles (55% and 45%, respectively). Precipitation intensity, however, increased proportionally most the drainage to waterways via stormwater collection systems, albeit it only represented 5% of the total mass of dust generated in winter. A drastic reduction in the use of studded tires, from 46% to 15% during peak season, would be required to alleviate the number of ambient air quality exceedances. In order to achieve multifaceted goals of a climate resilient, resource efficient city, the most important mitigation action is to reduce overall traffic volume. Reducing traffic speed may help speed environmental outcomes.

ACS Style

Brian Charles Barr; Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Sigurður Erlingsson. Mitigation of Suspendable Road Dust in a Subpolar, Oceanic Climate. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9607 .

AMA Style

Brian Charles Barr, Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Sigurður Erlingsson. Mitigation of Suspendable Road Dust in a Subpolar, Oceanic Climate. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (17):9607.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Brian Charles Barr; Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Sigurður Erlingsson. 2021. "Mitigation of Suspendable Road Dust in a Subpolar, Oceanic Climate." Sustainability 13, no. 17: 9607.

Journal article
Published: 12 April 2021 in Nature Communications
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The 2014–15 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland was the largest fissure eruption in over 200 years, emitting prodigious amounts of gas and particulate matter into the troposphere. Reykjavík, the capital area of Iceland (250 km from eruption site) was exposed to air pollution events from advection of (i) a relatively young and chemically primitive volcanic plume with a high sulphur dioxide gas (SO2) to sulphate PM (SO4 2−) ratio, and (ii) an older and chemically mature volcanic plume with a low SO2/SO4 2− ratio. Whereas the advection and air pollution caused by the primitive plume were successfully forecast and forewarned in public advisories, the mature plume was not. Here, we show that exposure to the mature plume is associated with an increase in register-measured health care utilisation for respiratory disease by 23% (95% CI 19.7–27.4%) and for asthma medication dispensing by 19.3% (95% CI 9.6–29.1%). Absence of public advisories is associated with increases in visits to primary care medical doctors and to the hospital emergency department. We recommend that operational response to volcanic air pollution considers both primitive and mature types of plumes.

ACS Style

Hanne Krage Carlsen; Evgenia Ilyinskaya; Peter J. Baxter; Anja Schmidt; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Melissa Anne Pfeffer; Sara Barsotti; Francesca Dominici; Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir; Thorsteinn Jóhannsson; Thor Aspelund; Thorarinn Gislason; Unnur Valdimarsdóttir; Haraldur Briem; Thorolfur Gudnason. Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption. Nature Communications 2021, 12, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Hanne Krage Carlsen, Evgenia Ilyinskaya, Peter J. Baxter, Anja Schmidt, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Melissa Anne Pfeffer, Sara Barsotti, Francesca Dominici, Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir, Thorsteinn Jóhannsson, Thor Aspelund, Thorarinn Gislason, Unnur Valdimarsdóttir, Haraldur Briem, Thorolfur Gudnason. Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption. Nature Communications. 2021; 12 (1):1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hanne Krage Carlsen; Evgenia Ilyinskaya; Peter J. Baxter; Anja Schmidt; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Melissa Anne Pfeffer; Sara Barsotti; Francesca Dominici; Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir; Thorsteinn Jóhannsson; Thor Aspelund; Thorarinn Gislason; Unnur Valdimarsdóttir; Haraldur Briem; Thorolfur Gudnason. 2021. "Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption." Nature Communications 12, no. 1: 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2020 in Earth Interactions
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The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull produced volcanic ash that was mostly deposited to the south and east of the volcano, with the thickest deposits closest to the eruption vents. For months following the eruption there were numerous reports of resuspended volcanic ash made by weather observers on the ground. A saltation sensor (SENSIT) and an optical particle counter (OPC) located on the southern side of Eyjafjallajökull measured posteruptive particulate matter (PM) saltation and suspension events, some of which were also observable by satellite imagery. During the autumn/winter following the eruption, visible satellite images and the SENSIT show that PM measured by the OPC was only detected when winds had a northerly component, making the source on the slopes of Eyjafjallajökull. During the largest observed events, particles >10 μm were suspended but measured in extremely low concentrations (100 μm in size during these events. During the largest events, winds were at least 5 m s−1 with a relative humidity < 70%. Ground conditions in Iceland change quickly from unfavorable to favorable for the suspension of particles. It is hypothesized that this is due to the porosity of the surface material allowing water to filter through quickly as well as the fast drying time of surface material. The high moisture content of the atmosphere and the ground do not appear to be a deterrent for large PM events to occur in Iceland.

ACS Style

Mary K. Butwin; Sibylle Von Löwis; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Johann Thorsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Influence of Weather Conditions on Particulate Matter Suspension following the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption. Earth Interactions 2020, 24, 1 -16.

AMA Style

Mary K. Butwin, Sibylle Von Löwis, Melissa A. Pfeffer, Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova, Johann Thorsson, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Influence of Weather Conditions on Particulate Matter Suspension following the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption. Earth Interactions. 2020; 24 (6):1-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mary K. Butwin; Sibylle Von Löwis; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Johann Thorsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2020. "Influence of Weather Conditions on Particulate Matter Suspension following the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption." Earth Interactions 24, no. 6: 1-16.

Journal article
Published: 21 July 2020 in Sustainability
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Many environmental problems stem from unsustainable human consumption. Accordingly, many studies have focused on the barriers to pro-environmental behavior. The inability or unwillingness to act is partially related to personal values as well as the psychological distance between individual actions and the resulting pollution, which is often perceived as abstract or intangible. In contrast, fireworks produce imminent, undeniable air pollution. The goal of this research was to advance the knowledge on the awareness-value-behavior gap by studying public fireworks consumption and the willingness to act against firework pollution. A nationally representative survey was conducted after the extremely polluting 2017/18 New Year’s Eve in Iceland (European hourly record in fine particulate matter: 3014 µg/m3). Our results demonstrate that, after controlling for the awareness of harmful pollution, hedonic motives predict the purchasing of fireworks and the opposition to mitigating action. Noticing public warnings regarding fireworks pollution did not significantly relate to the purchase behavior. The awareness of the harmful effects of firework pollution was, however, the largest predictor of the support for mitigating action. Despite reporting the pleasure derived from fireworks, 57% of the sample favored stricter governmental regulation, and 27% favored banning the public use of fireworks in order to “protect them from what they want”.

ACS Style

Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir; Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Protect Me from What I Want: Understanding Excessive Polluting Behavior and the Willingness to Act. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5867 .

AMA Style

Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir, Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Protect Me from What I Want: Understanding Excessive Polluting Behavior and the Willingness to Act. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5867.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir; Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2020. "Protect Me from What I Want: Understanding Excessive Polluting Behavior and the Willingness to Act." Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5867.

Journal article
Published: 18 April 2020 in Sustainability
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Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, suffers from severe air pollution during the long winter months, and its air pollution levels are among the highest in the world. Residents in the ger areas of Ulaanbaatar are unable to take advantage of the laws and policy regulations to reduce air pollution despite years of efforts to address this issue by international and local organizations including the government of Mongolia (GoM). Important challenges and barriers that have limited the success of various governmental policies that tackle air pollution problems were identified through participatory approaches. In order to do this, personal interviews were conducted with various stakeholders such as officials from central and local governments, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and academia. Moreover, a workshop was conducted to elucidate the views of ger area community members in Ulaanbaatar. Based on the results of these interviews and workshop, the gaps between the policy approaches of the government, the actual conditions, and the desired situations of the residents to improve air quality in Ulaanbaatar were analyzed. The large gaps that were identified between the national and local perspectives on air pollution issues demonstrated that the reduction of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar requires solving fundamental and complex problems based on a better understanding of the specific conditions and needs of the residents of the ger areas. Moreover, active participation and discussion of the residents at the workshop indicated that community-based approaches could be applied in the cultural context of Mongolia with promising results in finding solutions.

ACS Style

Bonjun Koo; Jong-Il Na; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Ana Maria Cruz. Participatory Approach to Gap Analysis between Policy and Practice Regarding Air Pollution in Ger Areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3309 .

AMA Style

Bonjun Koo, Jong-Il Na, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Ana Maria Cruz. Participatory Approach to Gap Analysis between Policy and Practice Regarding Air Pollution in Ger Areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (8):3309.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bonjun Koo; Jong-Il Na; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Ana Maria Cruz. 2020. "Participatory Approach to Gap Analysis between Policy and Practice Regarding Air Pollution in Ger Areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia." Sustainability 12, no. 8: 3309.

Original article
Published: 19 March 2020 in Sedimentology
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The volcanic origins, primarily basaltic, of most of the surface material in Iceland influences its physical properties and appearance. Size distributions, shape analyses and melting experiments were made for surface material collected in high‐erosion dust source areas and fresh volcanic ash deposits to determine whether they differ from one another and from dust from other major dust sources. The major differences found between Icelandic dust and dust from other major dust sources in the world, such as the Sahara, are in the particle shapes, its lower density and its darker colour. Icelandic dust particles greater than 20 µm retain volcanic morphological properties that are also found in fresh volcanic ash. Dust and fresh volcanic ash particles less than 20 µm are crystalline and blocky in nature, similar to the dust from other global source regions. The finer grained (20 µm) will have different suspension and transport behaviours than other dusts due to the volcanic morphology. Icelandic surface material has between 5% and 30% glassy particles compared to fresh volcanic ash which has more than 50% glassy particles. Glassy particles were observed to melt at a lower temperature than the mineral grains; and, as a result, volcanic ash is found to be more threatening to aircraft engines than the typical dust from Iceland. Icelandic dust was observed to be blocky, or plate like in the respirable size fraction, suggesting similar health hazards as dust from other regions.

ACS Style

Mary K. Butwin; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Sibylle Von Löwis; Eivind W. N. Støren; Eniko Bali; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Properties of dust source material and volcanic ash in Iceland. Sedimentology 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Mary K. Butwin, Melissa A. Pfeffer, Sibylle Von Löwis, Eivind W. N. Støren, Eniko Bali, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Properties of dust source material and volcanic ash in Iceland. Sedimentology. 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mary K. Butwin; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Sibylle Von Löwis; Eivind W. N. Støren; Eniko Bali; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2020. "Properties of dust source material and volcanic ash in Iceland." Sedimentology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 02 July 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Extreme pollution associated with firework celebrations is recognized as an important health and environmental issue. Despite this knowledge, firework celebrations continue to be allowed in many countries around the world. This paper explores the physical and societal factors contributing to extreme recreational firework pollution, as well as stakeholders' perspectives on the resultant pollution and possible mitigation. Metropolitan Reykjavík (217 000 inhabitants) is taken as an example of an affluent, well informed community with a relatively recent history of fireworks displays. Largely non-regulated public access to fireworks has resulted in exceedance of the European air quality standard of PM10 (50 μg/m3), and hazardous hourly concentration (>500 μg/m3) every other year. In the second hour of New Year's Day (NYD) 2018, hourly particulate matter records, 4042 μg/m3 PM10 and 3014 μg/m3 PM2.5, were set in a residential, suburban area. Concentrations of potential toxic metals increased by a factor of 104 (Cu), 96 (Sr), 27 (Ba) during the celebrations compared to the preceding days. The reasons why these high pollution episodes continue to occur, based on stakeholders' interviews, are traced back to a series of societal and regulatory hurdles: (1) Conflicting interests at governmental, municipal and entrepreneurial levels because fireworks are an entertaining spectacle for locals and tourists and a major fundraiser for not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), and yet pose an unacceptable public burden in terms of air pollution. (2) The lawful public access to fireworks severely limits stakeholder involvement and air quality mitigation actions. (3) Implementation of fireworks policy is dispersed among multiple stakeholders. These factors promote stakeholder passiveness towards pollution mitigation: Continuing public awareness campaigns with the goal of slowly weaning the public off fireworks were favored over restricting public use to fireworks. Future opportunities lie in holistic policy making, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap; and in clarifying the risk of extreme particulate matter episodes, e.g. by accounting for the level of exceedances (concentration value divided by ambient air quality standard), and the nature of the particles (size, morphology, chemical composition) as defined in the relevant regulations.

ACS Style

Hrund O. Andradottir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Repeated extreme particulate matter episodes due to fireworks in Iceland and stakeholders’ response. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 236, 117511 .

AMA Style

Hrund O. Andradottir, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Repeated extreme particulate matter episodes due to fireworks in Iceland and stakeholders’ response. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 236 ():117511.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hrund O. Andradottir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2019. "Repeated extreme particulate matter episodes due to fireworks in Iceland and stakeholders’ response." Journal of Cleaner Production 236, no. : 117511.

Research article
Published: 14 February 2019 in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
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The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (Cryosphere–Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, is the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual centre with the objectives of identifying and quantifying the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, outlining strategies to mitigate Arctic warming, and developing Nordic Earth system modelling with a focus on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This paper presents an overview of the main scientific topics investigated in the centre and provides the reader with a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Faced with a vast amount of scientific discovery, we do not claim to completely summarize the results from CRAICC within this paper, but rather concentrate here on the main results which are related to feedback loops in climate change–cryosphere interactions that affect Arctic amplification.

ACS Style

Michael Boy; Erik S. Thomson; Juan-C. Acosta Navarro; Olafur Arnalds; Ekaterina Batchvarova; Jaana Bäck; Frank Berninger; Merete Bilde; Zoé Brasseur; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Dimitri Castarède; Maryam Dalirian; Gerrit de Leeuw; Monika Dragosics; Ella-Maria Duplissy; Jonathan Duplissy; Annica M. L. Ekman; Keyan Fang; Jean-Charles Gallet; Marianne Glasius; Sven-Erik Gryning; Henrik Grythe; Hans-Christen Hansson; Margareta Hansson; Elisabeth Isaksson; Trond Iversen; Ingibjorg Jonsdottir; Ville Kasurinen; Alf Kirkevåg; Atte Korhola; Radovan Krejci; Jon Egill Kristjansson; Hanna K. Lappalainen; Antti Lauri; Matti Leppäranta; Heikki Lihavainen; Risto Makkonen; Andreas Massling; Outi Meinander; E. Douglas Nilsson; Haraldur Olafsson; Jan B. C. Pettersson; Nønne L. Prisle; Ilona Riipinen; Pontus Roldin; Meri Ruppel; Matthew Salter; Maria Sand; Øyvind Seland; Heikki Seppä; Henrik Skov; Joana Soares; Andreas Stohl; Johan Ström; Jonas Svensson; Erik Swietlicki; Ksenia Tabakova; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Aki Virkkula; Gesa A. Weyhenmeyer; Yusheng Wu; Paul Zieger; Markku Kulmala. Interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems at northern high latitudes. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 2019, 19, 2015 -2061.

AMA Style

Michael Boy, Erik S. Thomson, Juan-C. Acosta Navarro, Olafur Arnalds, Ekaterina Batchvarova, Jaana Bäck, Frank Berninger, Merete Bilde, Zoé Brasseur, Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova, Dimitri Castarède, Maryam Dalirian, Gerrit de Leeuw, Monika Dragosics, Ella-Maria Duplissy, Jonathan Duplissy, Annica M. L. Ekman, Keyan Fang, Jean-Charles Gallet, Marianne Glasius, Sven-Erik Gryning, Henrik Grythe, Hans-Christen Hansson, Margareta Hansson, Elisabeth Isaksson, Trond Iversen, Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, Ville Kasurinen, Alf Kirkevåg, Atte Korhola, Radovan Krejci, Jon Egill Kristjansson, Hanna K. Lappalainen, Antti Lauri, Matti Leppäranta, Heikki Lihavainen, Risto Makkonen, Andreas Massling, Outi Meinander, E. Douglas Nilsson, Haraldur Olafsson, Jan B. C. Pettersson, Nønne L. Prisle, Ilona Riipinen, Pontus Roldin, Meri Ruppel, Matthew Salter, Maria Sand, Øyvind Seland, Heikki Seppä, Henrik Skov, Joana Soares, Andreas Stohl, Johan Ström, Jonas Svensson, Erik Swietlicki, Ksenia Tabakova, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Aki Virkkula, Gesa A. Weyhenmeyer, Yusheng Wu, Paul Zieger, Markku Kulmala. Interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems at northern high latitudes. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 2019; 19 (3):2015-2061.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michael Boy; Erik S. Thomson; Juan-C. Acosta Navarro; Olafur Arnalds; Ekaterina Batchvarova; Jaana Bäck; Frank Berninger; Merete Bilde; Zoé Brasseur; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Dimitri Castarède; Maryam Dalirian; Gerrit de Leeuw; Monika Dragosics; Ella-Maria Duplissy; Jonathan Duplissy; Annica M. L. Ekman; Keyan Fang; Jean-Charles Gallet; Marianne Glasius; Sven-Erik Gryning; Henrik Grythe; Hans-Christen Hansson; Margareta Hansson; Elisabeth Isaksson; Trond Iversen; Ingibjorg Jonsdottir; Ville Kasurinen; Alf Kirkevåg; Atte Korhola; Radovan Krejci; Jon Egill Kristjansson; Hanna K. Lappalainen; Antti Lauri; Matti Leppäranta; Heikki Lihavainen; Risto Makkonen; Andreas Massling; Outi Meinander; E. Douglas Nilsson; Haraldur Olafsson; Jan B. C. Pettersson; Nønne L. Prisle; Ilona Riipinen; Pontus Roldin; Meri Ruppel; Matthew Salter; Maria Sand; Øyvind Seland; Heikki Seppä; Henrik Skov; Joana Soares; Andreas Stohl; Johan Ström; Jonas Svensson; Erik Swietlicki; Ksenia Tabakova; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Aki Virkkula; Gesa A. Weyhenmeyer; Yusheng Wu; Paul Zieger; Markku Kulmala. 2019. "Interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems at northern high latitudes." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 19, no. 3: 2015-2061.

Journal article
Published: 07 December 2018 in Journal of Aerosol Science
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Large quantities of natural particulate matter are generated in Iceland every year. Glaciers, rivers, and explosive volcanic eruptions contribute to the production of suspended material in the air. With frequent high winds and sparse vegetation cover, fine and coarse particles are suspended and transported over land and out to sea. Observations of particulate matter during the period of 1966–2016 were used to determine the impact of explosive volcanic eruptions on the number of observed particulate matter events. These observations were made by weather observers at synoptic weather stations distributed around Iceland. Deposits from some explosive volcanic eruptions that produce new source material were found to increase the number of observations of particulate matter at stations relatively close to the volcano (within 125 km) for at least several months after the end of the eruption. This signal is only observed for eruptions that produced enough material to be classified into Volcano Explosive Index (VEI) of 3, or greater, and did not end during the winter, and is only rarely seen at the national scale. Eruptions starting shortly before or during the winter seasom and ending before the spring melt did not have an impact on the observations of suspended particulate matter due to snow covering the fresh material, reducing the potential for resuspension. The data set is insufficient to explain why only some eruptions fulfilling the criteria produce local effects persisting over multiple months. Seasonality, weather, and wind conditions are much stronger factors for increasing the number of particulate matter (PM) events than the creation of new material provided by explosive volcanic eruptions. A PM event is defined to occur when any type of PM is observed in the atmosphere.

ACS Style

Mary K. Butwin; Sibylle von Löwis; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Throstur Thorsteinsson. The effects of volcanic eruptions on the frequency of particulate matter suspension events in Iceland. Journal of Aerosol Science 2018, 128, 99 -113.

AMA Style

Mary K. Butwin, Sibylle von Löwis, Melissa A. Pfeffer, Throstur Thorsteinsson. The effects of volcanic eruptions on the frequency of particulate matter suspension events in Iceland. Journal of Aerosol Science. 2018; 128 ():99-113.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mary K. Butwin; Sibylle von Löwis; Melissa A. Pfeffer; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2018. "The effects of volcanic eruptions on the frequency of particulate matter suspension events in Iceland." Journal of Aerosol Science 128, no. : 99-113.

Journal article
Published: 27 September 2018 in Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
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In countries facing rapid growth in nature-based tourism, increasing use of protected areas for recreational purposes creates a demand for improved infrastructure and accessibility. However, increased infrastructure, such as road improvements, is likely to alter the natural environment and visitors’ experience, and may ultimately change the type of tourism which operates in given areas. This study aims to assess how the accessibility of protected areas affects visitor perceptions, satisfaction, preferences, and subsequently visitor behaviour. Furthermore, it aims to compare perceived environmental impacts of visitors at sites with different levels of accessibility. To this end, an on-site visitor survey was conducted at five sites within protected areas in Iceland, each with different level of accessibility. The Purism Scale model was applied to categorize visitors based on their preferences. The results show that the majority of visitors at all five study sites fall into one of two categories – neutralists and urbanists – implying that the type of tourism operated in Iceland is changing as a result of continuous tourism development, and that improved accessibility to previously remote nature destinations accelerates these changes. Improved accessibility thus facilitates the use of protected areas, which leads to a higher level of perceived crowding. Tourists tend to spend less time in easily accessible areas and rarely choose such areas as the venue for an overnight stay. Moreover, improved accessibility increases the demand for the development of further infrastructure needed to cope with the environmental pressure from tourism. The processes relating to improved accessibility observed in this study emphasize the importance of preserving particular nature destinations in an undeveloped state in order to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities for local people as well as for foreign visitors. Accessibility of a natural area is an important factor affecting tourism development and a critical management tool to control the area's future state. The following management implications are drawn from this study:

ACS Style

Edita Tverijonaite; Rannveig Ólafsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Accessibility of protected areas and visitor behaviour: A case study from Iceland. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 2018, 24, 1 -10.

AMA Style

Edita Tverijonaite, Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Accessibility of protected areas and visitor behaviour: A case study from Iceland. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 2018; 24 ():1-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Edita Tverijonaite; Rannveig Ólafsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2018. "Accessibility of protected areas and visitor behaviour: A case study from Iceland." Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 24, no. : 1-10.

Letters to esex
Published: 22 May 2018 in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
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Where sediment supply is unlimited, previous research suggests that a strong, positive relationship between wind speed and dust concentration exists at the event‐scale. This relationship can break down if sediment availability is limited or changes during an event. This paper explores the dynamic effects of sediment availability on the relationship between wind speed and dust concentration using data from 9 high‐latitude dust events recorded in Iceland. Of these events, 6 showed a strong positive relationship between wind speed and dust concentration. For the remainder, the relationship breaks down periodically during the event due to changing surface moisture conditions and atmospheric humidity. Results suggest a need to understand how spatial and temporal changes in humidity, surface soil moisture, soil texture and threshold velocity interact and control sediment availability for dust emissions in all environments, including at high latitudes.

ACS Style

Tom Mockford; Joanna E. Bullard; Throstur Thorsteinsson. The dynamic effects of sediment availability on the relationship between wind speed and dust concentration. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2018, 43, 2484 -2492.

AMA Style

Tom Mockford, Joanna E. Bullard, Throstur Thorsteinsson. The dynamic effects of sediment availability on the relationship between wind speed and dust concentration. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2018; 43 (11):2484-2492.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tom Mockford; Joanna E. Bullard; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2018. "The dynamic effects of sediment availability on the relationship between wind speed and dust concentration." Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43, no. 11: 2484-2492.

Journal article
Published: 23 January 2018 in Eos
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First International Conference on High Latitude Cold Climate Dust (HLCCD); Reykjavík, Iceland, 22–25 May 2017

ACS Style

Santiago Gassó; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Cheryl McKenna-Neuman. Assessing the Many Influences of High-Latitude Dust. Eos 2018, 99, 1 .

AMA Style

Santiago Gassó, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Cheryl McKenna-Neuman. Assessing the Many Influences of High-Latitude Dust. Eos. 2018; 99 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Santiago Gassó; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Cheryl McKenna-Neuman. 2018. "Assessing the Many Influences of High-Latitude Dust." Eos 99, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 23 March 2017 in The Cryosphere
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Deposition of small amounts of airborne dust on glaciers causes positive radiative forcing and enhanced melting due to the reduction of surface albedo. To study the effects of dust deposition on the mass balance of Brúarjökull, an outlet glacier of the largest ice cap in Iceland, Vatnajökull, a study of dust deposition events in the year 2012 was carried out. The dust-mobilisation module FLEXDUST was used to calculate spatio-temporally resolved dust emissions from Iceland and the dispersion model FLEXPART was used to simulate atmospheric dust dispersion and deposition. We used albedo measurements at two automatic weather stations on Brúarjökull to evaluate the dust impacts. Both stations are situated in the accumulation area of the glacier, but the lower station is close to the equilibrium line. For this site ( ∼ 1210 m a.s.l.), the dispersion model produced 10 major dust deposition events and a total annual deposition of 20.5 g m−2. At the station located higher on the glacier ( ∼ 1525 m a.s.l.), the model produced nine dust events, with one single event causing ∼ 5 g m−2 of dust deposition and a total deposition of ∼ 10 g m−2 yr−1. The main dust source was found to be the Dyngjusandur floodplain north of Vatnajökull; northerly winds prevailed 80 % of the time at the lower station when dust events occurred. In all of the simulated dust events, a corresponding albedo drop was observed at the weather stations. The influence of the dust on the albedo was estimated using the regional climate model HIRHAM5 to simulate the albedo of a clean glacier surface without dust. By comparing the measured albedo to the modelled albedo, we determine the influence of dust events on the snow albedo and the surface energy balance. We estimate that the dust deposition caused an additional 1.1 m w.e. (water equivalent) of snowmelt (or 42 % of the 2.8 m w.e. total melt) compared to a hypothetical clean glacier surface at the lower station, and 0.6 m w.e. more melt (or 38 % of the 1.6 m w.e. melt in total) at the station located further upglacier. Our findings show that dust has a strong influence on the mass balance of glaciers in Iceland.

ACS Style

Monika Wittmann; Christine Dorothea Groot Zwaaftink; Louise Steffensen Schmidt; Sverrir Guðmundsson; Finnur Pálsson; Olafur Arnalds; Helgi Björnsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Andreas Stohl. Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland. The Cryosphere 2017, 11, 741 -754.

AMA Style

Monika Wittmann, Christine Dorothea Groot Zwaaftink, Louise Steffensen Schmidt, Sverrir Guðmundsson, Finnur Pálsson, Olafur Arnalds, Helgi Björnsson, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Andreas Stohl. Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland. The Cryosphere. 2017; 11 (2):741-754.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Monika Wittmann; Christine Dorothea Groot Zwaaftink; Louise Steffensen Schmidt; Sverrir Guðmundsson; Finnur Pálsson; Olafur Arnalds; Helgi Björnsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Andreas Stohl. 2017. "Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland." The Cryosphere 11, no. 2: 741-754.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2017 in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
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This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters and the definitive published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.11.034The contribution of mineral dust from high-latitude sources has remained an\ud under-examined feature of the global dust cycle. Dust events originating at high latitudes can provide inputs of aeolian sediment to regions lying well outside the subtropical dust belt. Constraining the seasonal variability and preferential pathways of dust from high-latitude sources is important for understanding the potential impacts that the dust may have on wider\ud environmental systems, such as nearby marine or cryospheric domains. This study quantifies dust pathways from two areas exhibiting different emission dynamics in the north and south of Iceland, which is a prominent Northern Hemisphere dust source. The analysis uses air parcel trajectory modelling, and for the first time for high-latitude sources, explicitly links all trajectory simulations to time-specific (meteorological) observations of suspended dust. This approach maximises the potential for trajectories to represent dust, and\ud illustrates that trajectory climatologies not limited to dust can grossly overestimate the potential for dust transport. Preferential pathways emerge that demonstrate the role of Iceland in supplying dust to the Northern Atlantic and sub-Arctic oceans. For dust emitted from northern sources, a dominant route exists to the northeast, into the Norwegian, Greenland and Barents Seas, although there is also potential for delivery to the North Atlantic in summer months. From the southern sources, the primary pathway extends into the North Atlantic, with a high density of trajectories extending as far south as 50ºN, particularly in spring and summer. Common to both southern and northern sources is a pathway to the west-southwest of Iceland into the Denmark Strait and towards\ud Greenland. For trajectories simulated at ≤500 m, the vertical development of dust plumes from Iceland is limited, likely due to the stable air masses of the region suppressing the potential for vertical motion. Trajectories rarely ascend high enough to reach the central portions of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The overall distribution of trajectories suggests that contributions of Icelandic dust are relatively more important for neighbouring marine environments than the cryosphere

ACS Style

Matthew C. Baddock; Tom Mockford; Joanna E. Bullard; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Pathways of high-latitude dust in the North Atlantic. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 2017, 459, 170 -182.

AMA Style

Matthew C. Baddock, Tom Mockford, Joanna E. Bullard, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Pathways of high-latitude dust in the North Atlantic. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 2017; 459 ():170-182.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matthew C. Baddock; Tom Mockford; Joanna E. Bullard; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2017. "Pathways of high-latitude dust in the North Atlantic." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 459, no. : 170-182.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2016 in Personality and Individual Differences
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Jamie McQuilkin; Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Shalom H. Schwartz. An Icelandic translation and validation of the revised 19-value Portrait Values Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences 2016, 101, 428 -434.

AMA Style

Jamie McQuilkin, Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Shalom H. Schwartz. An Icelandic translation and validation of the revised 19-value Portrait Values Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences. 2016; 101 ():428-434.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jamie McQuilkin; Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Shalom H. Schwartz. 2016. "An Icelandic translation and validation of the revised 19-value Portrait Values Questionnaire." Personality and Individual Differences 101, no. : 428-434.

Preprint content
Published: 16 September 2016
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Deposition of small amounts of airborne dust on glaciers causes positive radiative forcing and enhanced melting due to the reduction of surface albedo. To study the effects of dust deposition on the mass balance of Brúarjökull, an outlet glacier of the largest ice cap in Iceland, Vatnajökull, a study of dust deposition events in the year 2012 was carried out. The dust-mobilization module FLEXDUST was used to calculate spatiotemporally resolved dust emissions from Iceland and the dispersion model FLEXPART was used to simulate atmospheric dust dispersion and deposition. We used albedo measurements at two automatic weather stations on Brúarjökull to evaluate the dust impacts. Both stations are situated in the accumulation area of the glacier, but the lower station is close to the equilibrium line. For this site (~1210 m a.s.l.), the dispersion model produced 10 major dust deposition events and a total annual deposition of 16 g m-2. At the station located higher on the glacier (~1525 m a.s.l.), the model produced nine dust events, with one single event causing ~5 g m-2 dust deposition and a total deposition of ~9 g m-2 yr-1. The main dust source was found to be the Dyngjusandur floodplain north of Vatnajökull; northerly winds prevailed 80 % of the time at the lower station when dust events occurred. In all of the simulated dust events, a corresponding albedo drop was observed at the weather stations. The influence of the dust on the albedo was estimated by using the regional climate model HIRHAM5 to simulate the albedo of a clean glacier surface without dust. By comparing the measured albedo to the modelled albedo, we determine the influence of dust events on the snow albedo and the surface energy balance. We estimate that the dust deposition caused an additional 1.1 m w.e. (water equivalent) of snow melt (or 42 % of the 2.8 m w.e. total melt) compared to a hypothetical clean glacier surface at the lower station, and 0.6 m w.e. more melt (or 38 % of the 1.6 m w e. melt in total) at the station located further upglacier. Our findings show that dust has a strong influence on the mass balance of glaciers in Iceland.

ACS Style

Monika Dragosics; Christine D Groot Zwaaftink; Louise Steffensen Schmidt; Sverrir Guðmundsson; Finnur Pálsson; Olafur Arnalds; Helgi Björnsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Andreas Stohl. Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland. 2016, 1 -29.

AMA Style

Monika Dragosics, Christine D Groot Zwaaftink, Louise Steffensen Schmidt, Sverrir Guðmundsson, Finnur Pálsson, Olafur Arnalds, Helgi Björnsson, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Andreas Stohl. Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland. . 2016; ():1-29.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Monika Dragosics; Christine D Groot Zwaaftink; Louise Steffensen Schmidt; Sverrir Guðmundsson; Finnur Pálsson; Olafur Arnalds; Helgi Björnsson; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Andreas Stohl. 2016. "Impact of dust deposition on the albedo of Vatnajökull ice cap, Iceland." , no. : 1-29.

Journal article
Published: 04 June 2016 in Reviews of Geophysics
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Natural dust is often associated with hot, subtropical deserts, but significant dust events have been reported from cold, high latitudes. This review synthesizes current understanding of high latitude (≥50°N and ≥40°S) dust source geography and dynamics and provides a prospectus for future research on the topic. Although the fundamental processes controlling aeolian dust emissions in high latitudes are essentially the same as in temperate regions, there are additional processes specific to, or enhanced in cold regions. These include low temperatures, humidity, strong winds, permafrost and niveo-aeolian processes all of which can affect the efficiency of dust emission and distribution of sediments. Dust deposition at high latitudes can provide nutrients to the marine system, specifically by contributing iron to high nutrient-low chlorophyll oceans; it also affects ice albedo and melt rates. There have been no attempts to quantify systematically the expanse, characteristics or dynamics of high latitude dust sources. To address this, we identify and compare the main sources and drivers of dust emissions in the northern (Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland) and southern (Antarctica, New Zealand, Patagonia) hemispheres. The scarcity of year-round observations and limitations of satellite remote sensing data at high latitudes are discussed. It is estimated that under contemporary conditions high latitude sources cover >500,000 km2 and contribute at least 80-100 Tg yr-1 of dust to the Earth system (c. 5% of the global dust budget); both are projected to increase under future climate change scenarios.

ACS Style

Joanna E. Bullard; Matthew Baddock; Tom Bradwell; John Crusius; Eleanor Darlington; Diego Marcelo Gaiero; Santiago Gassó; Gudrun Gisladottir; Richard Hodgkins; Robert McCulloch; Cheryl McKenna‐Neuman; Tom Mockford; Helena Stewart; Throstur Thorsteinsson. High‐latitude dust in the Earth system. Reviews of Geophysics 2016, 54, 447 -485.

AMA Style

Joanna E. Bullard, Matthew Baddock, Tom Bradwell, John Crusius, Eleanor Darlington, Diego Marcelo Gaiero, Santiago Gassó, Gudrun Gisladottir, Richard Hodgkins, Robert McCulloch, Cheryl McKenna‐Neuman, Tom Mockford, Helena Stewart, Throstur Thorsteinsson. High‐latitude dust in the Earth system. Reviews of Geophysics. 2016; 54 (2):447-485.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joanna E. Bullard; Matthew Baddock; Tom Bradwell; John Crusius; Eleanor Darlington; Diego Marcelo Gaiero; Santiago Gassó; Gudrun Gisladottir; Richard Hodgkins; Robert McCulloch; Cheryl McKenna‐Neuman; Tom Mockford; Helena Stewart; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2016. "High‐latitude dust in the Earth system." Reviews of Geophysics 54, no. 2: 447-485.

Research article
Published: 24 May 2016 in PLOS ONE
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The adverse health effects of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure are well known, though the possible effects of low concentrations have not been thoroughly studied. The aim was to study short-term associations between modelled ambient low-level concentrations of intermittent hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and emergency hospital visits with heart diseases (HD), respiratory diseases, and stroke as primary diagnosis. The study is population-based, using data from patient-, and population-registers from the only acute care institution in the Reykjavik capital area, between 1 January, 2007 and 30 June, 2014. The study population was individuals (≥18yr) living in the Reykjavik capital area. The H2S emission originates from a geothermal power plant in the vicinity. A model was used to estimate H2S exposure in different sections of the area. A generalized linear model assuming Poisson distribution was used to investigate the association between emergency hospital visits and H2S exposure. Distributed lag models were adjusted for seasonality, gender, age, traffic zones, and other relevant factors. Lag days from 0 to 4 were considered. The total number of emergency hospital visits was 32961 with a mean age of 70 years. In fully adjusted un-stratified models, H2S concentrations exceeding 7.00μg/m3 were associated with increases in emergency hospital visits with HD as primary diagnosis at lag 0 risk ratio (RR): 1.067; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.024–1.111, lag 2 RR: 1.049; 95%CI: 1.005–1.095, and lag 4 RR: 1.046; 95%CI: 1.004–1.089. Among males an association was found between H2S concentrations exceeding 7.00μg/m3, and HD at lag 0 RR: 1.087; 95%CI: 1.032–1.146 and lag 4 RR: 1080; 95%CI: 1.025–1.138; and among those 73 years and older at lag 0 RR: 1.075; 95%CI: 1.014–1.140 and lag 3 RR: 1.072; 95%CI: 1.009–1.139. No associations were found with other diseases. The study showed an association between emergency hospital visits with HD as primary diagnosis and same day H2S concentrations exceeding 7.00μg/m3, more pronounced among males and those 73 years and older than among females and younger individuals.

ACS Style

Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir; Hanne Krage Carlsen; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Anna Oudin; Sigrun Helga Lund; Thórarinn Gislason; Vilhjálmur Rafnsson. Association between Daily Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure and Incidence of Emergency Hospital Visits: A Population-Based Study. PLOS ONE 2016, 11, e0154946 .

AMA Style

Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir, Hanne Krage Carlsen, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Anna Oudin, Sigrun Helga Lund, Thórarinn Gislason, Vilhjálmur Rafnsson. Association between Daily Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure and Incidence of Emergency Hospital Visits: A Population-Based Study. PLOS ONE. 2016; 11 (5):e0154946.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ragnhildur Gudrun Finnbjornsdottir; Hanne Krage Carlsen; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Anna Oudin; Sigrun Helga Lund; Thórarinn Gislason; Vilhjálmur Rafnsson. 2016. "Association between Daily Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure and Incidence of Emergency Hospital Visits: A Population-Based Study." PLOS ONE 11, no. 5: e0154946.

Journal article
Published: 24 February 2016 in Arabian Journal of Geosciences
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In the Arctic region, Iceland is an important source of dust due to ash production from volcanic eruptions. In addition, dust is resuspended from the surface into the atmosphere as several dust storms occur each year. During volcanic eruptions and dust storms, material is deposited on the glaciers where it influences their energy balance. The effects of deposited volcanic ash on ice and snow melt were examined using laboratory and outdoor experiments. These experiments were made during the snow melt period using two different ash grain sizes (1 ϕ and 3.5 ϕ) from the Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption, collected on the glacier. Different amounts of ash were deposited on snow or ice, after which the snow properties and melt were measured. The results show that a thin ash layer increases the snow and ice melt but an ash layer exceeding a certain critical thickness caused insulation. Ash with 1 ϕ in grain size insulated the ice below at a thickness of 9–15 mm. For the 3.5 ϕ grain size, the insulation thickness is 13 mm. The maximum melt occurred at a thickness of 1 mm for the 1 ϕ and only 1–2 mm for 3.5 ϕ ash. A map of dust concentrations on Vatnajökull that represents the dust deposition during the summer of 2013 is presented with concentrations ranging from 0.2 up to 16.6 g m−2.

ACS Style

Monika Dragosics; Outi Meinander; Tinna Jónsdóttír; Tobias Dürig; Gerrit De Leeuw; Finnur Pálsson; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Throstur Thorsteinsson. Insulation effects of Icelandic dust and volcanic ash on snow and ice. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 2016, 9, 1 -10.

AMA Style

Monika Dragosics, Outi Meinander, Tinna Jónsdóttír, Tobias Dürig, Gerrit De Leeuw, Finnur Pálsson, Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova, Throstur Thorsteinsson. Insulation effects of Icelandic dust and volcanic ash on snow and ice. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2016; 9 (2):1-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Monika Dragosics; Outi Meinander; Tinna Jónsdóttír; Tobias Dürig; Gerrit De Leeuw; Finnur Pálsson; Pavla Dagsson-Waldhauserova; Throstur Thorsteinsson. 2016. "Insulation effects of Icelandic dust and volcanic ash on snow and ice." Arabian Journal of Geosciences 9, no. 2: 1-10.

Dataset
Published: 01 January 2016 in PsycTESTS Dataset
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ACS Style

Jamie McQuilkin; Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Shalom H. Schwartz. Portrait Values Questionnaire--19 value; Icelandic Version. PsycTESTS Dataset 2016, 1 .

AMA Style

Jamie McQuilkin, Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir, Throstur Thorsteinsson, Shalom H. Schwartz. Portrait Values Questionnaire--19 value; Icelandic Version. PsycTESTS Dataset. 2016; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jamie McQuilkin; Ragna B. Garðarsdóttir; Throstur Thorsteinsson; Shalom H. Schwartz. 2016. "Portrait Values Questionnaire--19 value; Icelandic Version." PsycTESTS Dataset , no. : 1.