Different Turbulent Regimes and Vertical Turbulence Structures of the Urban Nocturnal Stable Boundary Layer

Turbulence in the nocturnal boundary layer(NBL) is still not well characterized, especially over complex underlying surfaces. Herein, gradient tower data and eddy covariance data collected by the Beijing 325-m tower were used to better understand the differentiating characteristics of turbulence regimes and vertical turbulence structure of urban the NBL. As for heights above the urban canopy layer(UCL), the relationship between turbulence velocity scale(V_TKE) and wind speed(V) was con...     

山地复杂下垫面湍流特征观测分析

利用谱方法和能量闭合度分析等方法,对兰州市皋兰山2006年夏季和2005年冬季涡度相关系统测定的湍流数据质量进行了分析,结果表明:4个观测点测定的三维风速、空气温度的功率谱在惯性副区都符合"-2/3"定律,垂直风速和温度的协谱在惯性副区也基本符合"-4/3"定律.4个观测点都存在能量平衡不闭合现象,夏季观测点绿化地和裸地能量平衡比率(EBR)分别为66%和94%,冬季绿化地和裸地的EBR分别为62%和84%;裸地观测点的闭合程度明显好于绿化地.本文还讨论了能量闭合度的日变化特征及各个观测点的地表能量收支状况.     

The Scaling Behaviour of a Turbulent Kinetic Energy Closure Model for Stably Stratified Conditions

We investigate the scaling behaviour of a turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure model for stably stratified conditions. The mixing length scale for stable stratification is proportional to the ratio of the square root of the TKE and the local Brunt–Väisälä frequency, which is a commonly applied formulation. We analyze the scaling behaviour of our model in terms of traditional Monin–Obukov Similarity Theory and local scaling. From the model equations, we derive expressions for the stable limit behaviour of the flux–gradient relations and other scaling quantities. It turns out that the scaling behaviour depends on only a few model parameters and that the results obey local scaling theory. The analytical findings are illustrated with model simulations for the second GABLS intercomparison study. We also investigate solutions for the case in which an empirical correction function is used to express the eddy diffusivity for momentum as a function of the Richardson number (i.e. an increasing turbulent Prandtl number with stability). In this case, it seems that for certain parameter combinations the model cannot generate a steady-state solution. At the same time, its scaling behaviour becomes unrealistic. This shows that the inclusion of empirical correction functions may have large and undesired consequences for the model behaviour.     

绿洲灌溉对垂直湍流热通量影响的大涡模拟研究

为了研究湍涡对中尺度绿洲灌溉的响应,利用WRF模式大涡模拟模块（WRF-LES）在西北半干旱区绿洲区开展灌溉前和灌溉后两个大涡模拟试验（分别简称为BI和AI）,其中灌溉可能会改变绿洲非均匀强度。利用面积平均的办法计算湍流热通量并利用小波分析将湍流热通量模态分解到不同的尺度。结果表明灌溉增加了土壤湿度,引起绿洲内部非均匀强度增加,灌溉对垂直热通量以及通量频散都有较大影响。AI中的湍涡为网状,与BI中一致。AI与BI中的感热通量的频散高度都随着感热通量的减小而减小。AI与BI中感热通量小波能量谱尺度一致,但是BI中强度比AI小。潜热通量的频散高度依赖于感热通量,且潜热通量能量谱随高度减小。空间滞后相关系数的结果表明由于灌溉前地表加热较强,感热通量对地表热通量的响应高度在灌溉之前（BI）比灌溉后（AI）更高。灌溉后的通量模态的飘移距离小于灌溉前的。     

Local Scales of Turbulence in the Stable Boundary Layer

Local, gradient-based scales, which contain the vertical velocity and temperature variances, as well as the potential temperature gradient, but do not include fluxes, are tested using data collected during the CASES-99 experiment. The observations show that the scaling based on the temperature variance produces relatively smaller scatter of empirical points. The resulting dimensionless statistical moments approach constant values for sufficiently large values of the Richardson number Ri. This allows one to derive predictions for the Monin–Obukhov similarity functions φ _m and φ _h , the Prandtl number Pr and the flux Richardson number Rf in weak turbulence regime.     

The Signature of Sea Spray in the Hexos Turbulent Heat Flux Data

The role of sea spray intransferring heat and moisture across the air-sea interface has remained elusive. Some studies have reported that sea spray does not affect the turbulent air-sea heat fluxes for 10-m wind speeds up to at least 25 m s^-1, while others have reported important spray contributions for wind speeds as low as 12 m s^-1. One goal of the HEXOS (Humidity Exchange over the Sea) program was to quantify spray's contribution to the turbulent air-sea heat fluxes, but original analyses of the HEXOS flux data found the spray signal to be too small to be reliably identified amid the scatter in the data. We look at the HEXOS data again in the context of the TOGA-COARE bulk flux algorithm and a sophisticated microphysical spray model. This combination of quality data andstate-of-the-art modelling reveals a distinct spray signature in virtually all HEXOS turbulent heat flux data collected in winds of 15 m s^-1 and higher. Spray effects are most evident in the latent heat flux data, where spray contributes roughly 10% of the total turbulent flux in winds of 10 m s^-1 and between 10 and 40% in winds of 15–18 m s^-1. The spray contribution to the total sensible heat flux is also at least 10% in winds above 15 m s^-1. These results lead to a new, unified parameterization for the turbulent air-sea heat fluxes that should be especially useful in high winds because it acknowledges both the interfacial and spray routes by which the sea exchanges heat and moisture with the atmosphere.     

The Influence of Transient Flow Distortion on Turbulence in Stable Weak-Wind Conditions

Transport by very weak turbulence near the surface, particularly with strong stratification, often violates existing similarity theory due partly to transient distortion of the wind profile by nonstationary mesoscale motions. This problem is examined with 4 months of flux data at seven levels on a 30-m tower. Difficulties with calculation of fluxes and shear with weak winds and weak turbulence are examined. The distortion of the wind profile assumes a wide variety of forms, but sometimes occurs with a transient wind maximum in the lowest 10 m. Though the vertical mixing of momentum is weak for weak-wind nonstationary conditions, it is often more efficient than predicted by existing similarity theory. In fact for weak-wind stable conditions, the flux-gradient relationship depends more on the curvature of the wind profile than the value of the stability parameter. This statistical study suggests a new direction for future work, but does not unravel the physics of the complex and varied structure for stratified weak-wind conditions.     

Numerical Simulation of Flow over Two-Dimensional Hills Using a Second-Order Turbulence Closure Model

We study turbulent flow over two-dimensional hills. The Reynolds stresses are represented by a second-order closure model, where advection, diffusion, production and dissipation processes are all accounted for. We solve a full set of primitive non-hydrostatic dynamic equations for mean flow quantities using a finite-difference numerical method. The model predictions for the mean velocity and Reynolds stresses are compared with the measured data from a wind-tunnel experiment that simulates the atmospheric boundary layer. The agreement is good. The performance of the second-order closure model is also compared withthat of lower level turbulence models, including the eddy-viscositymodel and algebraic Reynolds stress models. It is concluded that thepresent closure is a considerable improvement over the other modelsin representing various physical effects in flow over hills. Thefeasibility of running a finite-difference numerical simulationincorporating a full second-order closure model on an IBM workstationis also demonstrated.     

空气动力学方法在湍流通量计算中的误差分析

采用迭代方法检验了在近地面层大气中使用空气动力学方法时，温度、湿度和风速梯度等观测误差对感热和潜热通量计算的相对误差，结果表明，在微风和低温环境中，空气动力学方法的使用受到限制。     

Discrepancy and Applicability of Various Similarity Functions in Flux Calculations Under Stable Conditions

Based on data obtained during the Hualhe River Basin Experiment （HUBEX） in 1999, this study intends to detect the quantitative discrepancies in the momentum （τ0）, sensible heat （H0） and latent heat （E0） fluxes among six sets of similarity functions with the aerodynamic method. It also aims to clarify the applicability of the functions under stable conditions. The relative discrepancy was studied with the normalized transfer coefficients for τ0, H0 and E0, namely CD, CH and CQ, respectively. Except for one set of functions that adopted a rather small von Kármán＇s constant （0.365）, the relative discrepancy in τ0 among the other functions was less than 10%, while that in H0（E0） sometimes reached 25% when the bulk Richardson number （R/B） was less than 0.07. The absolute discrepancy in the fluxes was studied with statistical computations. Among the six sets of functions, the discrepancy in τ0, H0 and E0 sometimes reached 0.03 kg m^-1 s^-2, 4 W m^-2 and 10 W m^-2, respectively, and the discrepancy in the energy balance ratio sometimes exceeded 0.1. Furthermore, when RiB exceeded the critical value （Ric） for a specific set of functions, no fluxes could be derived with the functions. It is therefore suggested that RiB be compared with Ric before computing the fluxes if RiB is less than Ric. Finally, two sets of nonlinear similarity functions are recommended, due to their unlimited applicability in terms of RiB.     

Intermittent Bursting of Turbulence in a Stable Boundary Layer with Low-level Jet

The atmospheric stable boundary layer (SBL) with a low-level jet is simulated experimentally using a thermally stratified wind tunnel. The turbulence structure and flow characteristics are investigated by simultaneous measurements of velocity and temperature fluctuations and by flow visualization. Attention is focused on the effect of strong wind shear due to a low-level jet on stratified boundary layers with strong stability. Occasional bursting of turbulence in the lower portion of the boundary layer can be found in the SBL with strong stability. This bursting originates aloft away from the surface and transports fluid with relatively low velocity and temperature upward and fluid with relatively high velocity and temperature downward. Furthermore, the relationship between the occurrence of turbulence bursting and the local gradient Richardson number (Ri) is investigated. The Ri becomes larger than the critical Ri, Ri_cr = 0.25, in quiescent periods. On the other hand, the Ri number becomes smaller than Ri_cr during bursting events.     

Turbulence Structure of Stable Boundary Layers with a Near-Linear Temperature Profile

By using a thermally stratified wind tunnel, we have successfullysimulated stably stratified boundary layers (SBL), in which the meantemperature increases upward almost linearly. We have investigated the flow structure and the effects of near-linearstable stratification on the transfer of momentum and heat. Thevertical profiles of turbulence quantities exhibit different behaviour in two distinct stability regimes of the SBLflows with weak and strong stability. For weak stability cases, theturbulent transfer of momentum and heat is basically similar to that for neutral turbulent boundary layers, although it is weakenedwith increasing stability. For strong stability cases, on the other hand,the time-mean transfer is almost zero over the whole boundary-layer depth.However, the instantaneous turbulent transfer frequently occurs in bothgradient and counter-gradient directions in the lower part of the boundary layer. This is due to the Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) shear instability and therolling up and breaking of K–H waves. Moreover, the internal gravity wavesare observed in the middle and upper parts of all stable boundary layers.     

Wind Conditions in Idealized Building Clusters: Macroscopic Simulations Using a Porous Turbulence Model

Simulating turbulent flows in a city of many thousands of buildings using general high-resolution microscopic simulations requires a grid number that is beyond present computer resources. We thus regard a city as porous media and divide the whole hybrid domain into a porous city region and a clear fluid region, which are represented by a macroscopic k–e{\varepsilon} model. Some microscopic information is neglected by the volume-averaging technique in the porous city to reduce the calculation load. A single domain approach is used to account for the interface conditions. We investigated the turbulent airflow through aligned cube arrays (with 7, 14 or 21 rows). The building height H, the street width W, and the building width B are the same (0.15 m), and the fraction of the volume occupied by fluid (i.e. the porosity) is 0.75; the approaching flow is parallel to the main streets. There are both microscopic and macroscopic simulations, with microscopic simulations being well validated by experimental data. We analysed microscopic wind conditions and the ventilation capacity in such cube arrays, and then calculated macroscopic time-averaged properties to provide a comparison for macroscopic simulations. We found that the macroscopic k–e{\varepsilon} turbulence model predicted the macroscopic flow reduction through porous cube clusters relatively well, but under-predicted the macroscopic turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) near the windward edge of the porous region. For a sufficiently long porous cube array, macroscopic flow quantities maintain constant conditions in a fully developed region.     

Using a One-and-a-Half Order Closure Model of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer for Surface Flux Footprint Estimation

A knowledge of the distribution of the contribution of upwind sources to measurements of vertical scalar flux densities is important for the correct interpretation of eddy covariance data. Several approaches have been developed to estimate this so-called footprint function. Here a new approach based on the ensemble-averaged Navier—Stokes equations is presented. Comparisons of numerical results using this approach with results from other studies under a range of environmental conditions show that the model predictions are robust. Moreover, the approach outlined here has the advantage of a potential wide applicability, due to an ability to take into account the heterogeneous nature of underlying surfaces. For example, the model showed that any variations in surface drag, such as must occur in real life heterogeneous canopies, can exert a marked influence of the shape and extent of flux footprints. Indeed, it seems likely that under such circumstances, estimates of surface fluxes will be weighted towards areas of highest foliage density (and therefore quite likely higher photosynthetic rates) close to the measurement sensor. Three-dimensional footprints during the day and night were also determined for a mixed coniferous forest in european Russia. A marked asymmetry of the footprint in the crosswind direction was observed, this being especially pronounced for non-uniform plant distributions involving vegetation types with different morphological and physiological properties. The model also found that, other things being equal, the footprint peak for forest soil respiration is typically over twice the distance from the above canopy measurement sensor compared to that for canopy photosynthesis. This result has important consequences for the interpretation of annual ecosystem carbon balances by the eddy covariance method.     

Intermittent Turbulence Associated with a Density Current Passage in the Stable Boundary Layer

Using the unprecedented observational capabilities deployed duringthe Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study-99 (CASES-99),we found three distinct turbulence events on the night of 18October 1999, each of which was associated with differentphenomena: a density current, solitary waves, and downwardpropagating waves from a low-level jet. In this study, we focus onthe first event, the density current and its associatedintermittent turbulence. As the cold density current propagatedthrough the CASES-99 site, eddy motions in the upper part of thedensity current led to periodic overturning of the stratifiedflow, local thermal instability and a downward diffusion ofturbulent mixing. Propagation of the density current induced asecondary circulation. The descending motion following the head ofthe density current resulted in strong stratification, a sharpreduction in the turbulence, and a sudden increase in the windspeed. As the wind surge propagated toward the surface, shearinstability generated upward diffusion of turbulent mixing. Wedemonstrate in detail that the height and sequence of the localthermal and shear instabilities associated with the dynamics ofthe density current are responsible for the apparent intermittentturbulence.