In (semi-)arid regions, harvesting fog and dew can become a complementary solution to traditional water supply. In the Atacama region, a territory of key and water-dependent economic activities, both fog and dew are driven by the advection of marine moisture from the Pacific. Still, little is described regarding the dynamics and water potential of these events. In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal variability of fog and dew in the Atacama Desert to assess the potential of non-rainfall atmospheric water harvesting. Our research strategy combines three methods to achieve a comprehensive understanding of these phenomena: a satellite-spatial analysis of fog and low cloud frequencies; a thermodynamic characterization of the fog cloud vertical structure; and an observational analysis of fog and dew water collection. Our findings reveal that fog is a regular phenomenon in the area, occurring from 3% to 20% of the year. We estimate that fog cloud reaches 50 km inland and up to ∼1100 m ASL, covering a vast territory where it can be harvested. Fog and dew represent 72% and 28% of the total collected atmospheric water (∼0.2 L m day). Both fog and dew represent a complementary natural water source with multiple uses for local industries.

中文翻译：

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了解内陆雾和露水动态，以评估阿塔卡马地区潜在的非降雨水利用

在（半）干旱地区，收集雾和露水可以成为传统供水的补充解决方案。在阿塔卡马地区，这是一个重要且依赖水的经济活动地区，雾和露水都是由太平洋海洋湿气的平流驱动的。尽管如此，关于这些事件的动力学和水势的描述却很少。在这项研究中，我们分析了阿塔卡马沙漠雾和露水的时空变化，以评估非降雨大气集水的潜力。我们的研究策略结合了三种方法来全面了解这些现象：雾和低云频率的卫星空间分析；雾云垂直结构的热力学表征；以及雾和露水收集的观测分析。我们的研究结果表明，雾是该地区的一种常见现象，一年中 3% 到 20% 的时间都会出现雾。我们估计雾云到达内陆 50 公里，ASL 高达 ∼1100 m，覆盖了可以收集的广阔区域。雾和露水分别占收集到的大气水总量的 72% 和 28%（∼0.2 L m·天）。雾和露水都是互补的天然水源，对当地工业有多种用途。