Energy Fluxes of an Open Water Area in a mid-Latitude Prairie Wetland

Concurrent measurements of the surface energy balance components (net radiation, heat storage, and sensible and latent heat fluxes) were made in three communities (open water, Phragmites australis, Scirpus acutus) in a wetland in north-central Nebraska, U.S.A., during May-October, 1994. The Bowen ratio – energy balance method was used to calculate latent and sensible heat fluxes. This paper presents results from the open water area. The heat stored in water (G) was found to play a major role in the energy exchange over the water surface. During daytime, G consumed 45–60% of R _n , the net radiation (seasonally averaged daytime G was about 127 W m^–2). At night, G was a significant source of energy (seasonally averaged nighttime G was about -135 Wm^–). The diurnal pattern of latent heat flux ( E) did not follow that of R _n . On some days, E was near zero during midday periods with large R _n . The diurnal variability in E seemed to be significantly affected by temperature inversions formed over the cool water surface. The daily evaporation rate (E) ranged from 2 to 8 mm during the measurement period, and was generally between 70 and 135% of the equilibrium rate.     

Meteorological results of MONSOON-88 expedition (pre-monsoon period)

Mean atmospheric circulation, moisture budget and net heat exchange were studied during a pre-monsoon period (18th March to 3rd May, 1988), making use of the data collected on board Akademik Korolev in the central equatorial and southern Arabian Sea region. The net heat exchange (R _n ) is found to be about 20 W m^–2 for a small area (0–4° N; 55–60° E), 50% less than the dimatological value. The mean value of net radiation (140 W m^–2) is less than the climatological value, which was due to higher cloud amount. The higher SST enhanced both the latent and sensible heat fluxes.The mean atmospheric circulation obtained from the upper air data is quite convincing. The mean exchange coefficient (C _e ) estimated from the moisture budget is about 1.0 × 10^–3 for a wind speed of 4 m s^–1. This value is slightly lower than that obtained by the usual methods.National Institute of Oceanography, RC, 52-Kirlampudi layout, Visakhapatnam — 530 023.India Meteorological Department, Gauhati.     

Influences on surface energy fluxes in simulated present and doubled CO2 climates

The surface energy fluxes simulated by the CSIRO9 Mark 1 GCM for present and doubled CO₂ conditions are analyzed. On the global scale the climatological flux fields are similar to those from four GCMs studied previously. A diagnostic calculation is used to provide estimates of the radiative forcing by the GCM atmosphere. For 1 × CO₂, in the global and annual mean, cloud produces a net cooling at the surface of 31 W m^–2. The clear-sky longwave surface greenhouse effect is 311 W m^–2, while the corresponding shortwave term is –79 W m^–2. As for the other GCM results, the CSIRO9 CO₂ surface warming (global mean 4.8°C) is closely related to the increased downward longwave radiation (LW ). Global mean net cloud forcing changes little. The contrast in warming between land and ocean, largely due to the increase in evaporative cooling (E) over ocean, is highlighted. In order to further the understanding of influences on the fluxes, simple physically based linear models are developed using multiple regression. Applied to both 1 × CO₂ and CO₂ December–February mean tropical fields from CSIRO9, the linear models quite accurately (3–5 W m^–2 for 1 × CO₂ and 2–3 W m^–2 for CO₂) relate LW and net shortwave radiation to temperature, surface albedo, the water vapor column, and cloud. The linear models provide alternative estimates of radiative forcing terms to those from the diagnostic calculation. Tropical mean cloud forcings are compared. Over land, E is well correlated with soil moisture, and sensible heat with air-surface temperature difference. However an attempt to relate the spatial variation of LWt within the tropics to that of the nonflux fields had little success. Regional changes in surface temperature are not linearly related to, for instance, changes in cloud or soil moisture.     

Energy balance and transpiration from tussock grassland in New Zealand

The energy balance was measured for the dry canopy of narrow-leaved snow tussock (Chionochloa rigida), and measurements of transpiration were obtained from a large weighing lysimeter.Typical maximum summer transpiration rates of 0.21–0.43 mmhr^-1 (140–290 W m^-2) were recorded. The latent heat flux accounted for less than 40% of net radiation. The estimated value of the bulk stomatal resistance (r _ST) for 29 days was 158 s m^-1, and the decoupling parameter () was 0.17. Transpiration rates were not driven directly by net radiation, but were closely linked to the size of the regional saturation deficit imposed at the level of the canopy by efficient overhead mixing, and were constrained by a large bulk stomatal resistance. A linear relationship between r _ST and the saturation deficit is proposed as a realistic method for estimating transpiration for water yield studies of tussock catchments.     

Surface-layer scintillation measurements of daytime sensible heat and momentum fluxes

Line-averaged measurements of the structure parameter of refractive index (C _n ² ) were made using a semiconductor laser diode scintillometer above two markedly different surfaces during hours of positive net radiation. The underlying vegetation comprised in the first instance a horizontally homogeneous, pasture sward well-supplied with water, and in the second experiment, a sparse thyme canopy in a semi-arid environment. Atmospheric stability ranged between near neutral and strongly unstable (–20). The temperature structure parameterC _T ² computed from the optical measurements over four decades from 0.001 to 2 K² m^–2/3 agreed to within 5% of those determined from temperature spectra in the inertial sub-range of frequencies. Spectra were obtained from a single fine thermocouple sensor positioned near the midway position of the 100m optical path and at the beam propagation height (1.5m).With the inclusion of cup anemometer measurements, rule-of-thumb assumptions about surface roughness, and Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, path-averaged optical scintillations allow calculation of surface fluxes of sensible heat and momentum via a simple iterative procedure. Excellent agreement was obtained between these fluxes and those measured directly by eddy correlation. For sensible heat, agreement was on average close to perfect over a measured range of 0 to 500 W m^–2 with a residual standard deviation of 30 W m^–2. Friction velocities agreed within 2% over the range 0–0.9 m s^–1 (residual standard deviation of 0.06 m s^–1). The results markedly increase the range of validation obtained in previous field experiments. The potential of this scintillation technique and its theoretical foundation are briefly discussed.     

Water loss and canopy resistance of a young Sitka spruce plantation

Transpiration of a 7 m-high Stika spruce forest was investigated using measurments of net radiation, sensible heat and ground heat fluxes in an energy balance to give latent heat flux, and hence canopy resistance from the Penman-Monteith equation. Sensible heat flux was measured by the eddy-correlation method using a Fluxatron circuit.During six consecutive days of measurement in July/August, canopy resistance typically followed a decreasing trend from high values (150 s m-) at dawn to around 40 s m^–1 at midday and then returning steadily to > 100 s m^–1 at sunset. Transpiration was 3 mm day^–1 on average over the period studied and changes in the rate within the day were significantly correlated with changes in net radiation.Comparisons are drawn with published data from other forest sites and the conclusion is reached that it is imprudent to generalise about transpiration rates and canopy resistances of different species at different sites from results gathered at one or two places.     

Estimation of the sensible heat flux of a semi-arid area using surface radiative temperature measurements

In the framework of an international field program for the study of semi-arid areas, observations were done in the region called La Crau in southern France. In this paper, the use of the surface radiative temperature for the determination of the sensible heat flux is addressed. We found that, once proper values of the roughness length of momentum (z ₀) and heat (z ₀h) are set, the sensible heat flux can be reliably predicted with a one-layer resistance model using standard observations of wind speed and air temperature, together with the surface temperature. The latter quantity has to be known with a precision better than ±2°C. From our observations, the value of the parameterB ^–1k ^–1 In (z ₀ z ₀h) was found to be 9.2, which falls between values quoted by Brutsaert (1982) for grass and bluff bodies.     

The daily and annual effects of dew, frost, and snow on a non-ventilated net radiometer

The formation of dew, deposition of frost and accumulation of snow mainly on the upper domes of a non-ventilated net radiometer seriously affect the measurement of available energy (net radiation). Net radiometers measure radiation, and energy balances and are widely used for estimation of evapotranspiration throughout the world. To study the effects of dew, frost, and snow on a non-ventilated net radiometer, a radiation station was set up which uses 2 CM21 Kipp & Zonen pyranometers (one inverted), 2 CG1 Kipp & Zonen pyrgeometers (one inverted), along with a Q7.1 net radiometer (Radiation & Energy Balance Systems, Inc.; REBS) in a semi-arid mountainous valley in Logan, Utah, U.S.A. The pyranometers and pyrgeometers were ventilated using 4 CV2 Kipp & Zonen ventilation systems. The net radiometer was not ventilated. The ventilation of pyranometers and pyrgeometers prevents dew and frost deposition and snow accumulation which otherwise would disturb measurements. All sensors were installed at about 3.0 m above the ground, which was covered with natural vegetation during the growing season (May–September). The incoming and outgoing solar or shortwave radiation, the incoming (atmospheric) and outgoing (terrestrial) longwave radiation, and the net radiation have been continuously measured by pyranometers, pyrgeometers and a net radiometer, respectively, since 1995. These parameters have been measured every 2 s and averaged into 20 min. To evaluate the effects of dew, frost, and snow, three days were chosen: 26 April 2004 with early morning dew, 6 January 2005 with an early morning frost, and the snowy day of 24 February 2005. Dew formation, frost deposition, and snow accumulation occurred mainly on the upper dome of the non-ventilated Q7.1 net radiometer on the related days, while the ventilated Kipp & Zonen system was free of dew, frost and snow. Net radiation measured by the non-ventilated net radiometer R_n,unvent. during dew and frost periods of the above-mentioned days was greater than ventilated ones R_n,vent. (− 0.2 MJ m^− 2 vs. − 0.8 MJ m^− 2 during almost 4 h on 26 April 2004, and − 0.2 MJ m^− 2 vs. − 0.7 MJ m^− 2 during almost 6.5 h on 6 January 2005). The reason for higher reading by the non-ventilated net radiometer during dew and frost periods was due to emission of additional longwave radiation from water and ice crystals formed mainly on the upper dome of the Q7.1 net radiometer. In contrast, during the snowy day of 24 February 2005, the R_n,unvent. was less than R_n,vent. (− 4.00 MJ m^− 2 vs. 0.77 MJ m^− 2, mainly from sunrise to sunset). The extremely low R_n,unvent. measured by the non-ventilated net radiometer on 24 February 2005 is due to blocking of the incoming solar radiation (mainly diffuse radiation) by the snow-covered upper dome.     

On the annual and monthly mean diurnal variations of diffuse solar radiation at a meteorological station in west Africa

Summary In addition to global solar radiationE ^g , the hourly diffuse componentE ^d incident on a horizontal surface has been measured from February 1993 to January 1995 at a meteorological station in tropical West Africa. The measured diffuse solar irradiance data was corrected for shadow band effects. The monthly mean diurnal variations of diffuse solar irradiance obtained for identical months in the two years have been compared and found to be generally consistent. The corresponding monthly mean hourly values ofE ^d for identical months in 1993 and 1994 agreed to within 9% while yielding correlation coefficients greater than 0.960. In addition, the monthly mean daily totals ofE ^d for identical months were found to agree mostly to within 6% and showed virtually the same annual variations in both years. The monthly mean daily total values of diffuse solar radiation for most months in the two years ranged between 7.94 MJm^–2d^–1 and 10.50 MJm^–2d^–1. The monthly mean of daily hourly maximum values ofE ^d obtained for identical months in the two years have been discussed in relation to the dominant atmospheric conditions during these months. The results been presented here have been compared with those of some investigators within and outside the Africa region.With 8 Figures     

Boundary-layer observations over water and arctic sea-ice during on-ice air flow

Observations made on 8 and 9 May 1988 by aircraft and two ships in and around the marginal ice zone of the Fram Strait during on-ice air flow under cloudy and cloud-free conditions are presented.The thermodynamic modification of the air mass moving from the open water to the ice over horizontal distances of 100–300 km is only a few tenth of a degree for temperature and a few tenth of a gram per kilogram for specific humidity. This is due to the small temperature differences between sea and ice surfaces. During the day, the ice surface is even warmer than the sea surface. The stably stratified 200–400 m deep boundary layer is often topped by a moisture inversion leading to downward fluxes of sensible as well as latent heat.The radiation and energy balance at the surface are measured as functions of ice cover, cloud cover and sun elevation angle. The net radiationR _Nis the dominating term of the energy budget. During the day, the difference ofR _Nbetween clear and overcast sky is only a few W/m² over ice, but 100–200 W/m² over water. During the night,R _Nover ice is more sensitive to cloud cover.The kinematic structure is characterized by strong shears of the longitudinal and the transversal wind component. The profile of the latter one shows an inflection point near the top of the boundary layer. Dynamically-driven roll circulations are numerically separated from the mean flow. The secondary flow patterns have wavelengths of about 1 km and contribute substantially to the total variances and covariances.     

Eddy correlation measurements of CO2, latent heat,and sensible heat fluxes over a crop surface

Eddy correlation equipment was used to measure mass and energy fluxes over a soybean crop. A rapid response CO₂ sensor, a drag anemometer, a Lyman-alpha hygrometer and a fine wire thermocouple were used to sense the fluctuating quantities.Diurnal fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat and CO₂ were calculated from these data. Energy budget closure was obtained by summing the sensible and latent heat fluxes determined by eddy correlation which balanced the sum of net radiation and soil heat flux. Peak daytime CO₂ fluxes were near 1.0 mg m^–2 (ground area) s^–1.The eddy correlation technique was also employed in this study to measure nocturnal CO₂ fluxes caused by respiration from plants, soil, and roots. These CO₂ fluxes ranged from - 0.1 to - 0.25 mg m^–2s^–1.From the data collected over mature soybeans, a relationship between CO₂ flux and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was developed. The crop did not appear to be light-saturated at PAR flux densities < 1800 Ei m^–2 s^–1. The light compensation point was found to be about 160 Ei m^–2 s^–1.Published as Paper No. 7402, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. The work reported here was conducted under Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Project 27-003 and Regional Research Project 11–33.Post-doctoral Research Associate, Professor and Professor, respectively. Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0728.     

A study of the seasonal migration of ITCZ and the quasi-periodic oscillations in a simple monsoon system using an energy balance model

Summary A zonally averaged global energy balance model with feedback mechanisms was constructed to simulate (i) the poleward limits of ITCZ over the continent and over the ocean and (ii) a simple monsoon system as a result of differential heating between the continent and the ocean. Three numerical experiments were performed with lower boundary as (1) global continent, (2) global ocean and (3) continent-ocean, with freezing latitudes near the poles. Over the continent, midlatitude deserts were found and the ITCZ migrates 25° north and south with seasons. Over a global swamp ocean results do not show migration of ITCZ with time but once the ocean currents are introduced the ITCZ migrates 5° north and south with seasons. It was found that the seasonal migration of ITCZ strongly depends on the meridional distribution of the surface temperature. It was also found that continent influences the location of the oceanic ITCZ. In the tropics northward progression of quasi-periodic oscillations called events are found during the pre- and post-monsoon periods with a period of 8 to 15 days. This result is consistent with the observed quasi-periodic oscillations in the tropical region. Northward propagation of the surface temperature perturbation appears to cause changes in the sensible heat flux which in turn causes perturbations in vertical velocity and latent heat flux fields.List of Symbols vertical average - ₀ zonal average - vertical mean of the zonal average - _0s zonal average at the surface - _0a zonal average at 500 mb level - latitude We now define the various symbols used in the model rate of atmospheric heating due to convective cloud formation (K/sec) - dp/dt (N/m²/sec) - density - potential temperature (K) - rate of rotation of the earth (rad/sec) - empirical constant - humidity mixing ratio - ^* saturated humidity mixing ratio - opacity of the atmosphere - ₁,₂ factors for downward and upward effective black body long wave radiation from the atmosphere - Stefan-Boltzmann constant - emissivity of the surface - _D subsurface temperature (K) - a specific volume - _0xs ,_0ys eastward and northward components of surface frictional stress - ^* vertical velocity at the top of the boundary layer (N/m²/sec) - P Thickness of the boundary layer (mb) - nondimensional function of pressure - P pressure - P _a pressure of the model atmosphere (N/m²) - P _s pressure at the surface (N/m²) - t time (sec) - U eastward wind speed (m/sec) - V northward wind speed (m/sec) - surface water availability - T absolute temperature (K) - heat addition due to water phase changes - g acceleration due to gravity (m²/sec) - a radius of the earth (m) - R gas constant for dry air (J/Kg/K) - C _p specific heat of air at constant pressure (J/Kg/K) - k R/C _p - L latent heat of condensation (J/Kg) - f coriolis parameter (rad/sec) - H _s H _0s ⁽¹⁾ +H _0s ⁽²⁾ +H _0s ⁽³⁾ +H _0s ⁽⁴⁾ +H _0s ⁽⁵⁾ (J/m²/Sec)=sum of the rates of vertical heat fluxes per unit surface area, directed toward the surface - H _a H _0a ⁽¹⁾ +H _0a ⁽²⁾ +H _0a ⁽³⁾ +H _0a ⁽⁴⁾ (J/m²/Sec)=sum of the rates of heat additions to the atmospheric column per unit horizontal area by all processes - H _0s ⁽¹⁾ ,H _0a ⁽¹⁾ heat flux due to short wave radiation - H _0s ⁽²⁾ ,H _0a ⁽²⁾ heat flux due to long wave radiation - H _0s ⁽³⁾ ,H _0a ⁽³⁾ heat flux due to small scale convection - H _0s ⁽⁴⁾ heat flux due to evaporation - H _0a ⁽⁴⁾ heat flux due to condensation - H _0s ⁽⁵⁾ heat flux due to subsurface conduction and convection - e ^* saturation vapor pressure - R solar constant (W/m²) - r _a albedo of the atmosphere - r _s albedo of the surface - b ₂ empirical constant (J/m²/sec) - c ₂ empirical constant (J/m²/sec) - e ₂ nondimensional empirical constant - f ₂ empirical constant (J/m₂/sec) - factor proportional to the conductive capacity of the surface medium - a _s constant used in Sellers model - b _s positive constant of proportionality used in the Sellers model (kg m²/J/sec²) - K _HT coefficient for eddy diffusivity of heat (m²/sec) - K _HE exchange coefficient for water vapor (m²/sec) - h depth of the water column (m) - z height (m) - V _0ws meridional component of surface current (m/sec) - n cloud amount - G _0,n long wave radiation form the atmosphere for cloud amount n (W/m²) - B ₀ long wave radiation from the surface (W/m²) - S _0,n short wave radiation from the atmosphere for cloud amount n (W/m²) - A _n albedo factor for a cloud amount n - R _f1 large scale rainfall (mm/day) - R _f2 small scale rainfall (mm/day) With 22 Figures     

Carbon for Farmers: Assessing the Potential for Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Old Peanut Basin of Senegal

Carbon sequestration in soil organic matter of degraded Sahelian agro-ecosystems could play a significant role in the global carbon (C) uptake through terrestrial sinks while, simultaneously, contributing to sustainable agriculture and desertification control. The paper documents the results of a two-year pilot project in Senegal assessing real project opportunities with main emphasis on the West-Central Agricultural Region (Old Peanut Basin). Current total system C content in this region, calculated on the basis of in situ soil and biomass carbon measurements, amounted to 28 t ha^–1 with 11 t C ha^–1 in soils (0–20 cm) and 6.3 t C ha^–1 in trees. Potential changes in soil C, simulated with CENTURY for a 25-year period, ranged from –0.13 t C ha^–1 yr^–1 under poor management to +0.43 t C ha^–1 yr^–1 under optimum agricultural intensification. Simulated changes in crop yields varied from –62% to +200% under worst and best management scenarios respectively. Best management practices that generate the highest sequestration rates are economically not feasible for the majority of local smallholders, unless considerable financial support is provided. Especially when applied on a larger scale, such packages risk to undermine local, opportunistic management regimes and, in the long run, also the beneficiaries capacity to successfully adapt to their constantly changing environment.     

A review of flux-profile relationships

Flux-profile relationships in the constant flux layer are reviewed. The preferred relationships are found to be those of Dyer and Hicks (1970), namely, _H = _W =(1–16(z/L))^–1/2, _M =(1–16(z/L))^–1/4 for the unstable region, and _H = _W = _M = 1+5(z/L) for the stable region.The carefully determined results of Businger et al. (1971) remain a difficulty which calls for considerable clarification.     

A smog chamber for studies of the reactions of terpenes and alkanes with ozone and OH

The design and performance of a smog chamber for the study of photochemical reactions under simulated environmental conditions is described. The chamber is thermostated for aerosol experiments, and it comprises a gas chromatographic sample enrichment system suitable for monitoring hydrocarbons at the ppbv level. By irradiating NO _x /alkane-mixtures rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with n-alkanes are determined from n-pentane to n-hexadecane to be (k±2)/10^–12 cm³ s^–1=4.29±0.16, 6.2±0.6, 7.52 (reference value), 8.8±0.3, 10.2±0.3, 11.7±0.4, 13.7±0.3, 15.1±0.5, 17.5±0.6, 19.3±0.7, 22.3±1.0, and 25.0±1.3, respectively at 312 K. Rate constants, (k±2)/10^–17 cm³ s^–1, for the reaction of ozone with trans-2-butene (21.2±1.0), cis-3-methylpentene-(2) (47.2±1.7), cyclopentene (62.4±3.5), cyclohexene (7.8±0.5), cycloheptene (28.3±1.5), -pinene (8.6±1.3), and -pinene (1.4±0.2) are determined in the dark at 297 K using cis-2-butene (13.0) as reference standard.     

The aqueous thermal boundary layer

This article reviews the available data, measurement techniques, and present understanding of the millimeter thick aqueous thermal boundary layer. A temperature difference between the surface and lower strata, T, of the order of a few tenths to –1 °C have been observed. Techniques ranging from miniature mercury thermometers and electrical point sensors to optical interferometry and infrared radiometry have been employed. Many processes influence the temperature structure in this thin boundary layer. Among them are: the net upward heat flux due to evaporation and sensible heat transfer; infrared and solar radiation; and the turbulence near the interface due to wind mixing, wave breaking and current shear. Presence of solute and surface-active materials stimulate or dampen these mixing processes thereby influencing boundary-layer thickness and temperature structure.Department of Atmospheric Sciences Contribution Number 354.     

Application of an infrared carbon dioxide and humidity instrument to studies of turbulent transport

A calibration equation and some results of the field performance of an infrared instrument, which is designed to measure simultaneous fluctuations of atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor, are described. Field observations show that the instrument is suitable for simultaneous measurement of turbulent fluxes of carbon dioxide and water vapor in conjunction with a sonic anemometer. Measured values of carbon dioxide and water vapor fluxes show diurnal variations characterized by crop activity with respect to assimilation, respiration and evapotranspiration. Carbon dioxide is transferred downward during the daytime and upward at night, while latent heat and sensible heat are transferred in the opposite sense. The non-dimensional gradient of carbon dioxide is expressed in the following form under weak unstable conditions: _c = (1 – 16 _v )^-1/2. Here, _v is the Monin-Obukhov stability parameter including the humidity effect. This relation was originally proposed for temperature and humidity. Thus, the results indicate that the turbulent mechanisms of carbon dioxide fluctuations are similar to those of other scalar entities. This is strongly supported by the high correlation coefficient found between fluctuations of carbon dioxide and temperature or humidity in the air layer over crop fields.     

Mixed-layer heat advection and entrainment during the sea breeze

A model is developed to simulate the potential temperature and the height of the mixed layer under advection conditions. It includes analytic expressions for the effects of mixed-layer conditions upwind of the interface between two different surfaces on the development of the mixed layer downwind from the interface. Model performance is evaluated against tethersonde data obtained on two summer days during sea breeze flow in Vancouver, Canada. It is found that the mixed-layer height and temperature over the ocean has a small but noticeable effect on the development of the mixed layer observed 10 km inland from the coast. For these two clear days, the subsidence velocity at the inversion base capping the mixed layer is estimated to be about 30 mm s^–1 from late morning to late afternoon. When the effects of subsidence are included in the model, the mixed-layer height is considerably underpredicted, while the prediction for the mean potential temperature in the mixed layer is considerably improved. Good predictions for both height and temperature can be obtained when values for the heat entrainment ratio,c, 0.44 and 0.68 for these two days respectively for the period from 1000 to 1300 LAT, were used. These values are estimated using an equation including the additional effects on heat entrainment due to the mechanical mixing caused by wind shear at the top of the mixed layer and surface friction. The contribution of wind shear to entrainment was equal to, or greater than, that from buoyant convection resulting from the surface heat flux. Strong wind shear occurred near the top of the mixed layer between the lower level inland flow and the return flow aloft in the sea breeze circulation.Symbols c entrainment parameter for sensible heat - c _p specific heat of air at constant pressure, 1010 J kg^–1 K^–1 - d ₁ the thickness of velocity shear at the mixed-layer top, m - Q _H surface sensible heat flux, W m^–2 - u _m mean mixed-layer wind speed, m s^–1 - u _* friction velocity at the surface, m s^–1 - w subsidence velocity, m s^–1 - W subsidence warming,^oC s^–1 - w _e entrainment velocity, m s^–1 - w _* convection velocity in the mixed layer, m s^–1 - x downwind horizontal distance from the water-land interface, m - y dummy variable forx, m - Z height above the surface, m - Z _i height of capping inversion, m - Z _m mixed-layer depth, i.e.,Z _i–Z_s, m - Z _s height of the surface layer, m - lapse rate of potential temperature aboveZ _i, K m^–1 - potential temperature step atZ _i, K - u _h velocity step change at the mixed-layer top - _m mean mixed-layer potential temperature, K     

Ly(α) absorption cross-section of H2O and O2

The absorption cross-sections of water vapor and oxygen were measured, using a low-pressure radio frequency discharge through traces of hydrogen in argon as a light source for Ly() radiation. The cross-sections are H₂O = 1.59 × 10^–17 cm² and O₂ = 1.13 × 10^–20 + 1.72 × 10^–23 for water and oxygen, respectively, where P is the oxygen pressure in units of Torr. Ly() lamps, such as used for this work, are important light sources for photochemical laboratory work and find applications for trace-gas detection in the atmosphere. For the latter application, accurate cross-sections of water vapor and oxygen are needed.     

A numerical modeling study of the marine boundary layer over the Gulf Stream during cold air advection

A two-dimensional mesoscale model has been developed to simulate the air flow over the Gulf Stream area where typically large gradients in surface temperature exist in the winter. Numerical simulations show that the magnitude and the maximum height of the mesoscale circulation that develops downwind of the Gulf Stream depends on both the initial geostrophic wind and the large-scale moisture. As expected, a highly convective Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) develops over this area and it was found that the Gulf Stream plays an important role in generating the strong upward heat fluxes causing a farther seaward penetration as cold air advection takes place. Numerical results agree well with the observed surface fluxes of momentum and heat and the mesoscale variation of vertical velocities obtained using Doppler Radars for a typical cold air outbreak. Precipitation pattern predicted by the numerical model is also in agreement with the observations during the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE).List of Symbols u east-west velocity [m s^–1] - v north-south velocity [m s^–1] - vertical velocity in coordinate [m s^–1] - w vertical velocity inz coordinate [m s^–1] - gq potential temperature [K] - q moisture [kg kg^–1] - scaled pressure [J kg^–1 K^–1] - U _g the east-south component of geostrophic wind [m s^–1] - V _g the north-south component of geostrophic wind [m s^–1] - vertical coordinate following terrain - x east-west spatial coordinate [m] - y north-south spatial coordinate [m] - z vertical spatial coordinate [m] - t time coordinate [s] - g gravity [m² s^–1] - E terrain height [m] - H total height considered in the model [m] - q _s saturated moisture [kg kg^–1] - p pressure [mb] - p ₀₀ reference pressure [mb] - P precipitation [kg m^–2] - vertical lapse rate for potential temperature [K km^–1] - L latent heat of condensation [J kg^–1] - C _p specific heat at constant pressure [J kg^–1 K^–1] - R gas constant for dry air [J kg^–1 K^–1] - R _v gas constant for water vapor [J kg^–1 K^–1] - f Coriolis parameter (2 sin ) [s^–1] - angular velocity of the earth [s^–1] - latitude [^o] - K _H horizontal eddy exchange coefficient [m² s^–1] - t integration time interval [s] - x grid interval distance inx coordinate [m] - y grid interval distance iny coordinate [m] - adjustable coefficient inK _H - subgrid momentum flux [m² s^–2] - subgrid potential temperature flux [m K s^–1] - subgrid moisture flux [m kg kg^–1 s^–1] - u _* friction velocity [m s^–1] - _* subgrid flux temperature [K] - q _* subgrid flux moisture [kg kg^–1] - w _* subgrid convective velocity [m s^–1] - z ₀ surface roughness [m] - L Monin stability length [m] - _s surface potential temperature [K] - k von Karman's constant (0.4) - v air kinematic viscosity coefficient [m² s^–1] - K _M subgrid vertical eddy exchange coefficient for momentum [m² s^–1] - K subgrid vertical eddy exchange coefficient for heat [m² s^–1] - K _q subgrid vertical eddy exchange coefficient for moisture [m² s^–1] - z _i the height of PBL [m] - h _s the height of surface layer [m]