Transitional, entraining, cloudy, and coastal boundary layers

Atmospheric boundary layers are marvelously varied and complex. Recent research has examined some of that variety. Boundary layers over land undergo drastic changes throughout the day as the sun rises and sets, and as clouds form and dissipate. Air is entrained at the top of the boundary layer at varying rates. As air moves over the coast, the boundary layer reacts to changes in surface forcing. All of these changes affect pollutant transport and weather formation. In this paper, research attempting to understand transitional, cloud-topped, and coastal boundary layers, and boundary-layer top entrainment, is reviewed.     

中国陆地热岩石圈厚度及其地球动力学意义

依靠最新的中国大地热流数据、精细的地壳分层结构, 通过求解一维稳态热传导方程获得各个热流测量点对应的热岩石圈厚度, 通过克里金插值法绘制中国陆地热岩石圈厚度分布等值线图.计算结果表明, 中国陆地各构造区的热岩石圈厚度差异较大, 稳定的克拉通地区最厚, 可达200 km以上, 造山系次之, 多在100~200 km之间, 破坏的克拉通地区岩石圈最薄, 可以低于100 km. 通过对比三大克拉通地区的热岩石圈厚度和地震岩石圈厚度, 得出了四点认识: (1) 塔里木克拉通西部、中上扬子克拉通、华北克拉通西部以及南华北基本保留了稳定的克拉通巨厚岩石圈特征, 而华北克拉通东部的渤海湾盆地、下扬子克拉通以及塔里木克拉通东南部则发生了大规模的减薄; (2) 华北克拉通西部从鄂尔多斯向东北的银川—河套凹陷及向东南的汾渭凹陷的岩石圈厚度和流变边界层厚度逐渐变薄, 主要受控于地幔对流强度的增强; (3) 华北克拉通东部的南华北依然保持稳定, 而渤海湾的岩石圈厚度减薄显著, 体现了华北克拉通破坏在空间上的不均匀性; (4) 扬子克拉通自西向东岩石圈厚度和流变边界层厚度逐渐变薄, 可能受控于太平洋板块的俯冲, 和华北克拉通东部经历了相似的地球动力学过程.

     

Internal dissipative boundary layers in the cross-equatorial flow of a grounded deep western boundary current

It is known that dissipative adjustment must occur in the cross-equatorial dynamics of a deep western boundary current (DWBC) that is in planetary-geostrophic balance away from the equator. Theoretical modelling and numerical simulations suggest that the dissipative zones correspond to “small” isolated zonally-elongated regions within the trough and crest of a nonlinear stationary equatorial planetary wave that is formed as the DWBC flows eastward along the equator. An internal frictional boundary layer theory is advanced to describe the leading order structure of the DWBC in the dissipative regions, which asymptotically matches with the large scale inviscid flow characteristics in the equatorial region.     

Wave-induced steady streaming,mass transport and net sediment transport in rough turbulent ocean bottom boundary layers

The interaction between two important mechanisms which causes streaming has been investigated by numerical simulations of the seabed boundary layer beneath both sinusoidal waves and Stokes second order waves, as well as horizontally uniform bottom boundary layers with asymmetric forcing. These two mechanisms are streaming caused by turbulence asymmetry in successive wave half-cycles (beneath asymmetric forcing), and streaming caused by the presence of a vertical wave velocity within the seabed boundary layer as earlier explained by Longuet-Higgins. The effect of wave asymmetry, wave length to water depth ratio, and bottom roughness have been investigated for realistic physical situations. The streaming induced sediment dynamics near the ocean bottom has been investigated; both the resulting suspended load and bedload are presented. Finally, the mass transport (wave-averaged Lagrangian velocity) has been studied for a range of wave conditions. The streaming velocities beneath sinusoidal waves (Longuet-Higgins streaming) is always in the direction of wave propagation, while the streaming velocities in horizontally uniform boundary layers with asymmetric forcing are always negative. Thus the effect of asymmetry in second order Stokes waves is either to reduce the streaming velocity in the direction of wave propagation, or, for long waves relative to the water depth, to induce a streaming velocity against the direction of wave propagation. It appears that the Longuet-Higgins streaming decreases as the wave length increases for a given water depth, and the effect of wave asymmetry can dominate, leading to a steady streaming against the wave propagation. Furthermore, the asymmetry of second order Stokes waves reduces the mass transport (wave-averaged Lagrangian velocity) as compared with sinusoidal waves. The boundary layer streaming leads to a wave-averaged transport of suspended sediments and bedload in the direction of wave propagation.     

流变边界层及其对华北克拉通热/地震岩石圈底界差异的意义

二维热传导/对流数值模型显示,纯传导的固体岩石圈与纯对流的流体软流圈之间存在一过渡层,即流变边界层,其间传导与对流共同作用来传递热量.流变边界层厚度主要由软流圈黏性系数（η）控制,而受固体岩石圈厚度及热状态影响很小.随着η从1×1021Pa·s降低至1×1019 Pa·s,流变边界层也随之减薄,流变边界层的厚度与lg（η）成正比. 流变边界层的存在是造成热岩石圈与地震岩石圈厚度差异的重要因素. 全球典型克拉通岩石圈的对比结果表明,地震岩石圈厚度普遍大于热岩石圈厚度,二者的差异多数在70~90 km,很好地验证了流变边界层的存在. 研究发现二者的差异在华北克拉通自西向东逐渐减小：由西部鄂尔多斯的约80 km减少至渤海湾盆地的约20 km. 反映出华北克拉通岩石圈下部流变边界层厚度自西向东减薄,意味着软流圈黏性系数自西向东逐渐降低.这可能与中生代太平洋俯冲脱水形成的低黏大地幔楔有关,从一侧面印证了太平洋俯冲对华北克拉通破坏的影响.     

Tidal currents,energy flux and bottom boundary layer thickness in the Clyde Sea and North Channel of the Irish Sea

A high-resolution three-dimensional model of the Clyde Sea and the adjacent North Channel of the Irish Sea is used to compute the major diurnal and semidiurnal tides in the region, the associated energy fluxes and thickness of the bottom boundary layer. Initially, the accuracy of the model is assessed by performing a detailed comparison of computed tidal elevations and currents in the region, against an extensive database that exists for the M₂, S₂, N₂, K₁ and O₁ tides. Subsequently, the model is used to compute the tidal energy flux vectors in the region. These show that the major energy flux is confined to the North Channel region, with little energy flux into the Clyde Sea. Comparison with the observed energy flux in the North Channel shows that its across-channel distribution and its magnitude are particularly sensitive to the phase difference between elevation and current. Consequently, small changes in the computed values of these parameters due to slight changes of the order of the uncertainty in the open-boundary values to the model, can significantly influence the computed energy flux. The thickness of the bottom boundary layer in the region is computed using a number of formulations. Depending upon the definition adopted, the empirical coefficient C used to determine its thickness varies over the range 0.1 to 0.3, in good agreement with values found in the literature. In the North Channel, the boundary layer thickness occupies the whole water depth, and hence tidal turbulence produced at the sea bed keeps the region well mixed. In the Clyde Sea, the boundary layer thickness is a small fraction of the depth, and hence the region stratifies.Responsible Editor: Phil Dyke     

边界层参数化方案对边界层热力和动力结构特征影响的比较

本文利用高分辨率中尺度WRF模式,通过改变边界层参数化方案进行多组试验,评估该模式对美国北部森林地区边界层结构的模拟能力,同时比较了五种不同边界层参数化方案模拟得出的边界层热力和动力结构.结果表明：除个别方案外,配合不同边界层方案的WRF模式都能成功模拟出白天对流边界层强湍流混合特征和夜间稳定边界层内强逆温、逆湿和低空急流等热力和动力结构.非局地YSU、ACM2方案在白天表现出强的湍流混合和卷夹,相比于局地MYJ、UW方案,模拟的对流边界层温度更高、湿度更低、混合层高度更高、感热通量更大,更接近实际观测,这表明在不稳定层结下考虑非局地大涡输送更为合理,但局地方案在风速和风向的预报上存在一定优势.TEMF方案得到的白天局地湍流混合强度为所有方案中最弱,混合层难以发展,无法体现对流边界层内气象要素垂直分布均匀的特点.对于夜间稳定边界层的模拟,不同参数化方案之间的差异较小,但是YSU方案在一定程度上高估了机械湍流,导致局地湍流混合偏强,从而影响了其对稳定边界层的模拟能力.     

The thermal signature of subducted lithospheric slabs at the core–mantle boundary

We study the thermal structure around a cold deformable lithospheric slab as it sinks to the core–mantle boundary and migrates along it. We present analytical results for the steady thermal structure established by a steady but spatially varying motion. The analysis gives a time-like criterion for the thermal signature of a cold slab to persist by the time that the slab moves along the core–mantle boundary. The model is used to assess the feasibility of a purely thermal origin for some of the observed seismic reflectors near the core–mantle boundary. Calculations of the time-like criterion show that the dynamical conditions in our model, namely the velocity and the thickness of the descending slab, are hard to reconcile with observations of subduction and seismic features. Seismic reflections and refractions from anomalously fast regions above the core–mantle boundary could be explained as thermal slabs if the thickness of the slab at subduction was larger than 200 km or somewhat less if the slab did not split at the core–mantle boundary. A simple thermal model also predicts from mineral physics a certain correlation between S- and P-wave velocity anomalies, which is not observed. However, a purely thermal origin cannot be ruled out if the slab is buckling. This process could be in agreement with the observations: the amplitude of the seismic anomalies, the vertical extent of high-gradient zones and the P versus S comparisons. Chemical heterogeneities and phase transformations remain alternative or complementary explanations.     

民航气象观测的中国中东部大气边界层廓线数据的评估与应用

本文从民航气象报告(AMDAR)数据库中提取了2008—2019年期间我国中东部18个机场飞机起飞和降落期间的大气边界层(ABL)廓线数据,并利用常规探空数据评估了不同季节和高度范围的AMDAR数据准确性及其随探空站与机场距离和飞行状态的变化.与常规探空数据相比,低层(P>850 hPa)的AMDAR温度和风分量的均方根误差(RMSE)均比较高层(850~500 hPa)小,且各高度层上的温度和风分量的RMSE都随间隔距离的增加而增大.相对而言,飞行状态对AMDAR数据准确性的影响很小.在间隔距离小于50 km且P>850 hPa高度层范围内,温度、纬向风和经向风的平均RMSE分别为0.68~0.83 K、1.48~1.62 m·s^-1和1.73~1.81 m·s^-1.相比于RMSE,对应的平均偏差都显著更小,且随间隔距离无明显变化.数据应用示例表明,AMDAR廓线数据由于其较高的时间分辨率,不仅可以反映ABL结构的日变化特征,还可用于研究ABL局地环流特征.基于18个机场AMDAR廓线数据分析发现,我国远内陆、干燥地区大气边界层高度(ABLH)具有较强的日变化,尤其是在春夏两季,而沿海和近内陆地区ABLH的日变化强度和季节差异都较小.

     

Wake effects on turbulent transport in the convective boundary layer

The effect of the downstream propagation of a wake on the transport of momentum, energy and scalars (such as humidity) in the convective boundary layer (CBL) is studied using a direct numerical simulation. The incompressible Navier–Stokes and energy equations are integrated under neutral and unstable thermal stratification conditions in a rotating coordinate frame with the Ekman layer approximation. Wake effects are introduced by modifying the mean velocity field as an initial condition on a converged turbulent Ekman layer flow. With this initial velocity distribution, the governing equations are integrated in time to determine how turbulent transport in the CBL is affected by the wake. Through the use of Taylor’s hypothesis, temporal evolution of the flow field in a doubly periodic computational domain is transformed into a spatial evolution. The results clearly indicate an increase in the scalar flux at the surface for the neutrally stratified case. An increase in wall scalar and heat flux is also noted for the CBL under unstable stratification, though the effects are diminished given the enhanced buoyant mixing associated with the hot wall.     

Gradient-based similarity in the atmospheric boundary layer

The “flux-based” and “gradient-based” similarity in the stable boundary layer and also in the interfacial part of the convective boundary layer is discussed. The stable case is examined on the basis of data collected during the CASES-99 experiment. Its interfacial counterpart is considered in both the quasi-steady (mid-day) and non-steady states, utilizing the results of large-eddy simulations. In the stable regime, the “gradient-based” approach is not unique and can be based on various master length scales. Three local master length scales are considered: the local Monin-Obukhov scale, the buoyancy scale, and the Ellison scale. In the convective “quasi-steady” (mid-day) case, the “mixed layer” scaling is shown to be valid in the mixed layer and invalid in the interfacial layer. The temperature variance profile in non-steady conditions can be expressed in terms of the convective temperature scale in the mixed layer. The analogous prediction for velocity variances is not valid under non-steady conditions.     

Vertical distribution of ozone in the planetary boundary layer at the Ming Tombs, Beijing

Surface ozone (O3) and vertical O3 distribution in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) at the Ming Tombs (40°17′15″N, 116°12′51″E), Beijing during September 7―12, 2001 were measured by ground based measurements and an in-situ tethersonde system. The results indicated that O3 concentration measured at surface level agreed well with that measured by tethersonde system in daytime when active thermal mixing was dominated. Ozone showed the lowest concentration before the sunrise and then gradually increased in the morning and reached the maximum in the afternoon 14:00―17:00 (lst). After sunset, O3 gradually decreased and resulted in low value below 200―300 m due to surface loss processes and chemical destruction in stable boundary layer characterized by temperature inversions. High O3 was observed whenever there was pollutants transport from the metropolitan areas of Beijing. Our analysis suggested the complex terrain of the Ming Tombs region caused pollutants transported from Beijing to accumulate in the PBL, and resulted in severe O3 pollution, with a maximum over 160×10-9, when the synoptic conditions was favorable for photochemical O3 production.     

Some effects of intra-red radiation on the dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer

An approximate infra-red radiation scheme, employing essentially the cooling to space approximation, is included in a one-dimensional model of the atmospheric boundary layer. The approximate scheme is found not to produce significant errors in the behaviour of the dynamical model when integrated over a few hours. Radiative cooling is shown to be important in the development of a clear well-mixed layer which is capped by an essentially dry region; in particular, convetive instability is induced and this enhances the rate of entrainment of dry air. The development of fog is found to require sound models of both radiative transfer and turbulent diffusion.     

大气边界层湍流的动力非平稳性的验证

首次用验证时间序列中是否存在动力非平稳性的一种简单图示方法——space time-index法来分析大气边界层湍流的动力平稳性特征.本文以取自淮河流域和威斯康星森林下垫面条件下的三维高精度风速和温度、湿度湍流脉动资料对大气边界层湍流的平稳性特征进行了分析.结果表明space time-index方法能有效地检验大气边界层湍流信号中是否存在动力平稳性.另外,均匀下垫面条件（水稻田）及复杂下垫面条件（森林）下的大气边界层湍流信号中几乎都存在动力非平稳性,大气湍流动力学非平稳性可能是边界层湍流信号相当普遍具有的一种特性.大气边界层湍流中的间歇性和相干结构使得其非平稳性图形的特征不同于一般时间序列非平稳性图形的“V”型特征;森林下垫面条件下的湍流信号比相对均匀下垫面（水稻田）下的湍流信号更有组织性,相干结构更强.     

Differences in the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases in and above the tropical boundary layer

Weekly air samples were collected at Cape Kumakahi (0 km) and at nearby Mauna Loa Observatory (3.4 km) which is above the boundary layer. EC/GC and GC/FID techniques were used to measure CH₃I, CHCl₃, CO and CH₄, which are largely natural in origin, and C₂Cl₄, CCl₄, CH₃, CCl₃, CCl₃F (F-11), CCl₂F₂ (F-12), CHClF₂ (F-22) and C₂F₃Cl₃ (F-113), which are due to anthropogenic activities. It was found that all these gases are significantly (0.05) more abundant in the boundary layer than above it.     

Effects of wind shear on the atmospheric convective boundary layer structure and evolution

The article reviews past accomplishments and recent advances in conceptual understanding, numerical simulation, and physical interpretation of the wind shear phenomena in the atmospheric convective boundary layer.     

Variations of thermodynamical parameters in the atmospheric boundary layer over the Deccan plateau region,India

The thermodynamical structure of the atmospheric boundary layer over the Deccan plateau region has been studied with aerological data for 1980 and 1981.The temperatures in the sub-cloud layer were lower on active monsoon days than dose on weak monsoon days. An opposite trend was noticed in the layer above the 900 mbar level. The moisture content on active monsoon days was higher than that on weak monsoon days. The profile of relative humidity above the 850 mbar level showed large deviations between the active and weak monsoon conditions. On active monsoon days the values of dry static stability were higher than those on weak monsoon days. An opposite trend was noticed in the case of moist static stability. On active monsoon days the magnitudes of thev components of wind were small compared with those of theu components, and the latter showed a gradual decrease with height.     

一个大气边界层非线性三维数值模式及其在太湖流域的应用

本模式用以K半经验理论为基础的闭合方程组求解,引进了地形作用、动量、热量和水汽的侧向扩散和垂直湍流交换以及凝结加热等物理过程,其中湍流交换系数K是地表粗糙度、几何高度、大气稳定度及风速切变等因子的函数。本模式还考虑了山地、平原和水面在地形高度、地表粗糙度、辐射、蒸发及热交换等方面的差异,在下垫面上建立热平衡方程与边界层内控制方程耦合。将模式应用于太湖流域,计算得到的该流域边界层内温、压、湿、风的分布特征与实际情况相似,模式具有一定的实用性。     

Effects of shear in the convective boundary layer: analysis of the turbulent kinetic energy budget

Effects of convective and mechanical turbulence at the entrainment zone are studied through the use of systematic Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) experiments. Five LES experiments with different shear characteristics in the quasi-steady barotropic boundary layer were conducted by increasing the value of the constant geostrophic wind by 5 m s^-1 until the geostrophic wind was equal to 20 m s^-1. The main result of this sensitivity analysis is that the convective boundary layer deepens with increasing wind speed due to the enhancement of the entrainment heat flux by the presence of shear. Regarding the evolution of the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) budget for the studied cases, the following conclusions are drawn: (i) dissipation increases with shear, (ii) the transport and pressure terms decrease with increasing shear and can become a destruction term at the entrainment zone, and (iii) the time tendency of TKE remains small in all analyzed cases. Convective and local scaling arguments are applied to parameterize the TKE budget terms. Depending on the physical properties of each TKE budget contribution, two types of scaling parameters have been identified. For the processes influenced by mixed-layer properties, boundary layer depth and convective velocity have been used as scaling variables. On the contrary, if the physical processes are restricted to the entrainment zone, the inversion layer depth, the modulus of the horizontal velocity jump and the momentum fluxes at the inversion appear to be the natural choices for scaling these processes. A good fit of the TKE budget terms is obtained with the scaling, especially for shear contribution.