Effects of turbulent dispersion of atmospheric balance motions of planetary boundary layer

New Reynolds' mean momentum equations including both turbulent viscosity and dispersion are used to analyze atmospheric balance motions of the planetary boundary layer. It is pointed out that turbulent dispersion with r 0 will increase depth of Ekman layer, reduce wind velocity in Ekman layer and produce a more satisfactory Ekman spiral lines fit the observed wind hodograph. The wind profile in the surface layer including tur-bulent dispersion is still logarithmic but the von Karman constant k is replaced by k1 = 1 -2/k, the wind increasesa little more rapidly with height.     

The dispersion of chemically reactive species in the atmospheric boundary layer

Summary The role of turbulence in the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants that react with linear (decay) and nonlinear (second-order) chemical reactions is examined. The most relevant processes that drive the reactivity of species emitted in a surface area or released by a point source are studied by deriving the dimensionless scaling numbers from equations for the atmospheric turbulent reacting flow. The first number is the ratio of the time scale of turbulence to the time scale of the chemical reaction, namely the Damköhler number. The second number is the ratio of the concentrations of the species present in the chemical transformations. In this paper, model results and experimental studies of turbulent reacting flows in the atmospheric boundary layer are presented to show the modifications and control exerted by turbulence on the atmospheric chemistry as a function of these numbers and processes. We also discuss how the chemical transformation is affected when species are in a state of chemical equilibrium.By studying the plume dispersion of a reactant, that decays with a simple chemical reaction, one can analyse the dependence of concentration fluctuations on the Damköhler number. The study is extended to plumes that react nonlinearly. In such reacting systems, the large gradients and segregation of species result in a significant reduction in the reaction rates. Because of this modification, the chemistry of species related to NO_x and HO_x can be very different from the chemistry in conditions where the species are uniformly mixed. The lack of complete observational evidence is hampering our understanding of these processes and our evaluation of numerical modelling results. Finally, we discuss briefly how to represent, in the form of a parameterization, the effect that turbulence can have on the reactivity of species emitted by a point source or an area source.     

The position of the lowest levels in the boundary layer of atmospheric circulation models

Abstract

The error associated with the position of the lowest wind level in atmospheric boundary‐layer modelling is studied in connection with vertical resolutions typical of parametrization schemes for atmospheric circulation models. The test case is the neutrally stratified steady‐state boundary layer. Finite‐difference and finite‐element schemes of two types are used: in one case the lowest wind level is centred with respect to the surface and the lowest internal level where the shear stress is calculated, in the other case the lowest wind level is set very close to the surface (5 m). It is found that schemes of the latter type underestimate the friction force at the lowest level and consequently overestimate the wind and the surface stress. This error is largest at low resolution since it is due to the uncentring of the lowest wind level with respect to the stress levels. The error in schemes of the former type is different, and is associated with the determination of the surface stress from a wind at a height that may exceed the extent of the surface layer. For all neutral cases, this error can be made small by adding a corrective term to the traditional logarithmic formulation. This paper shows that considerably more error is generated by uncentred differencing than by deepening the surface layer.     

荒漠绿洲边界层结构的数值模拟

陆-气相互作用和中小尺度天气系统的研究中,水平不均匀边界层和水平不均匀地表的强迫作用都是重要的物理过程.本文用已建立的陆面过程与大气边界层耦合模式(BLCM),较详细地研究了草地周围为荒漠(半沙漠)的地表植被不均匀而造成的边界层结构特征和局地环流及其昼夜变化.通过边界层顶影响自由大气不同尺度的运动.模式结果揭示出最强的上升和下沉运动是发生在荒漠-草地间动力和热力不连续的界面附近,且呈现出不对称性.     

成都地区大气边界层逆温特征分析

针对污染气象条件对大气环境影响的问题,利用2010—2012年成都地区探空资料的温度数据,系统研究了成都地区逆温的结构及分布特征。结果表明:2010—2012年成都地区整体以贴地逆温出现频率最高、厚度最大及强度最强,其次为低悬逆温和高悬逆温。不同类型逆温出现的频率、厚度及强度也存在一定的季节差异,贴地逆温春季出现频率最高,厚度最大,其他各季差异不显著;冬季逆温最强,夏季最弱。3类逆温的日变化明显,08时逆温出现的频率和厚度普遍大于20时,且08时逆温强度大于20时。分析成都地区大气边界层逆温层特征,对了解成都地区污染物扩散规律具有重要的意义。     

Effects of local accelerations and baroclinity on the mean structure of the atmospheric boundary layer over the sea

Substitution of the geostrophic wind by the actual upper wind in the equations of motion for the boundary layer implies less sensitivity of the mean wind to inertial effects. This is confirmed by observations, although the problem of computing time or spatial derivatives from scattered data reduces the accuracy and the clarity of the results. It is found that acceleration (deceleration) increases (decreases) the cross-isobar angle whereas the geostrophic drag coefficient is a minimum (maximum) for crosswind acceleration (deceleration). On the other hand, cold air advection increases the cross-isobar angle whereas the geostrophic drag coefficient is a maximum when the thermal wind is parallel to the surface wind. The universal functions A _m and B _m based on vertically averaged winds are also rather insensitive to inertial influences.     

An analysis of the structure of thunderstorm in the atmospheric boundary layer

The structure of thunderstorm in the atmospheric boundary layer in Beijing area is analysed by using three-year data of tower. It is indicated that the outflow current of the thunderstorm in the lower layer is a sort of density current. An area of evident wind direction shear is found at about half an hour to one hour before the arrival of the gust front.The maximum intensity of the shear can reach 0.35sec-1.The inner structure within the density current is also very complicated. At the nocturnal stable boundary layer in summertime, the development of the convective motions is often triggered due to the instability of the Kelvin-Helmholtz wave.     

Turbulent dispersion in the atmospheric surface layer

By non-dimensionalizing a trajectory-simulation (TS) model of turbulent dispersion, it is shown that the dimensionless concentration z ₀cu_*/kQ (cu _*/kQ) due to a continuous line (area) source of strength Q in the atmospheric surface layer depends only on z/z ₀, x/z ₀, z ₀/L and z _s/z₀, where z _s is the source height. The TS model is used to tabulate concentration profiles due to ground-level line and area sources. Concentration profiles generated by the TS model for elevated sources are shown to be inconsistent with the Reciprocal Theorems of Smith (1957) and it is suggested that this is because the flux-mean gradient closure scheme inherent in the Reciprocal Theorem is invalid for an elevated source.     

强雷雨云边界层小尺度结构和谱特征

本文利用强雷雨云通过期间北京325米气象塔资料,分析了强雷雨云低层流出气流的小尺度结构、湍流结构和谱特征。     

Effects of mesoscale sea-surface temperature fronts on the marine atmospheric boundary layer

A numerical modelling study is presented focusing on the effects of mesoscale sea-surface temperature (SST) variability on surface fluxes and the marine atmospheric boundary-layer structure. A basic scenario is examined having two regions of SST anomaly with alternating warm/cold or cold/warm water regions. Conditions upstream from the anomaly region have SST values equal to the ambient atmosphere temperature, creating an upstream neutrally stratified boundary layer. Downstream from the anomaly region the SST is also set to the ambient atmosphere value. When the warm anomaly is upstream from the cold anomaly, the downstream boundary layer exhibits a more complex structure because of convective forcing and mixed layer deepening upstream from the cold anomaly. An internal boundary layer forms over the cold anomaly in this case, generating two distinct layers over the downstream region. When the cold anomaly is upstream from the warm anomaly, mixing over the warm anomaly quickly destroys the shallow cold layer, yielding a more uniform downstream boundary-layer vertical structure compared with the warm-to- cold case. Analysis of the momentum budget indicates that turbulent momentum flux divergence dominates the velocity field tendency, with pressure forcing accounting for only about 20% of the changes in momentum. Parameterization of surface fluxes and boundary-layer structure at these scales would be very difficult because of their dependence on subgrid-scale SST spatial order. Simulations of similar flow over smaller scale fronts (<5 km) suggest that small-scale SST variability might be parameterized in mesoscale models by relating the effective heat flux to the strength of the SST variance.     

Some aspects of the structure of the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer

Results of an analysis based on the Leipzig wind data are presented. The computed stress profiles and the proportionality constant in the inverse relationship between the non-dimensionalized stable boundary-layer height and the square root of the stability parameter seem to agree well with the model results of Businger and Arya (1974).     

On similarity in the atmospheric boundary layer

A similarity theory for the atmospheric boundary layer is presented. The Monin-Obukhov similarity theory for the surface layer is a particular case of this new theory, for the case of z 0. Universal functions which are in agreement with empirical data are obtained for the stable and convective regimes.On leave from Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw Technical University, 00653 Warsaw, Poland. Present address, Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53201 U.S.A.     

Gustiness and coherent structure under weak wind period in atmospheric boundary layer

Statistical analysis of turbulent and gusty characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer under weak wind period has been carried out.The data used in the analysis were from the multilevel ultrasonic anemometer-thermometers at 47 m,120 m,and 280 m levels on Beijing 325 m meteorological tower.The time series of 3D atmospheric velocity were analyzed by using conventional Fourier spectral analysis and decompose into three parts:basic mean flow(period 10 min),gusty disturbances(1 min period 10 min)and turbulence fluctuations(period 1 min).The results show that under weak mean wind condition:1)the gusty disturbances are the most strong fluctuations,contribute about 60% kinetic energy of eddy kinetic energy and 80% downward flux of momentum,although both the eddy kinetic energy and momentum transport are small in comparison with those in strong mean wind condition;2)the gusty wind disturbances are anisotropic;3)the gusty wind disturbances have obviously coherent structure,and their horizontal and vertical component are negatively correlated and make downward transport of momentum more effectively;4)the friction velocities related to turbulence and gusty wind are approximately constant with height in the surface layer.     

The perturbed structure of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer over irregular terrain

The differential equations for first-order (linear) response of the planetary boundary layer are formulated for flow over periodic terrain, for variations in both surface roughness and terrain elevation. A simple second-order closure model of the turbulence is used, and Coriolis forces are neglected. Flow over a periodic terrain produces corresponding periodic structure in all meteorological fields above the surface. The periodic structure consists of two components. The first is very nearly evanescent with height. It corresponds to the motion that would be observed were the atmosphere inviscid. The second component, introduced by turbulent viscosity, exhibits a phase variation with height in addition to a decay in amplitude. W.K.B. [Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin] approximations for the two components are developed, and the coupling between the components is discussed. The formulation for calculating solutions by numerical integration is developed, including specification of appropriate boundary conditions. Calculations are presented in a companion paper.Wave Propagation Laboratory.Environmental Science Group.     

The perturbed structure of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer over irregular terrain

The first-order (linear) response of the planetary boundary layer is calculated for flow over periodic terrain, for variations in both surface roughness and terrain elevation. Calculations are made for horizontal wavenumbers varying from 10^–4m^–1 to 3 × 10^–3m^–1. A simple second-order closure model of the turbulence is used, and Coriolis and buoyancy forces are neglected. As expected, flow over a periodic terrain produces corresponding periodic structure in all meteorological fields above the surface. The periodic structure consists of two components. The first is very nearly evanescent with height, showing little vertical structure. It corresponds to the motion that would be observed were the atmosphere inviscid. The second component, introduced by turbulent viscosity, exhibits considerable vertical structure, with vertical wavelengths the order of 100 m, and thus could be responsible for the layering often seen on acoustic sounder observations of the atmospheric boundary layer.Wave Propagation Laboratory.Environmental Science Group.     

Study on clouds and marine atmospheric boundary layer

A set of remote sensing instruments of Peking University, which includes mainly a dual~channel(22.235GHz and 35.5GHz) microwave radiometer, a 8mm microwave and a 5mm microwave radiometer, has been developed for the Western North-Pacific Cloud-Radiation Experiment (WENPEX). The instruments were used to observe the cloud and marine atmospheric boundary-layer in the southwest sea area of Japan in winter time from 1989 to 1991. In the weather change process, the characteristics of the marine atmospheric boundary-layer and liquid water content in cloud of this area in winter time are studied from observation data. A one-dimensional mixed layer model is presented for the growth and evolution of a cloud-topped marine boundary-layer. The model is used to study in the WENPEX. The simulation results are in agreement with observation data, especially the integral water in cloud.     

Current problems in the stratocumulus-topped atmospheric boundary layer

Extended sheets of stratocumulus (Sc) in the upper part of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) often occur under appropriate meteorological conditions. These cloud decks are important both in climate studies and in weather forecasting. We review the current knowledge of the turbulent structure of the ABL capped by a cloud deck, in the light of recent observations and model studies. The most important physical processes determining this structure are longwave radiative cooling at cloud top, shortwave radiative wanning by absorption in the cloud, surface buoyancy flux, and wind shear in the ABL. As a result, turbulence can cause entrainment against the buoyancy jump at cloud top. In cases where only longwave radiative fluxes and surface buoyancy fluxes are important, the turbulent structure is relatively well understood. When shortwave radiative fluxes and/or wind shear are also important, the resulting turbulent structure may change considerably. A decoupling of the cloud from the sub-cloud layer or of the top of the cloud from the rest of the ABL is then regularly observed. In no cases are the details of the entrainment at cloud top understood well enough to derive a relatively simple formulation that is consistent with observations. Cloud-top entrainment instability may lead to the break-up of a cloud deck (but also to cloud deepening). The role of mesoscale circulations in determining fractional cloudiness is not yet well understood.     

Entrainment effects in the well-mixed atmospheric boundary layer

We discuss the structure and evolution of a cloud-free atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) during daytime over land, starting from a shallow ABL at sunrise and developing into a deep ABL with strong convection in the afternoon. The structure of the turbulence in the lower half of a convective ABL capped by an inversion is reasonably well understood. Less is known about the details of the turbulence in higher regions affected by entrainment, because of the difficulty in taking turbulence measurements there. For the evolution in time of the height of the ABL and its mean potential temperature mixed-layer models have been developed that give satisfactory agreement with observations. It has been shown that for many practical applications accurate knowledge of forcing functions and boundary conditions is more important than a refinement of the entrainment hypothesis. Observations show that the assumption of well-mixedness of first-order moments of conservative variables is not valid for all quantities. A simple similarity relation for the inclusion of the effect of entrainment on the shape of the vertical profiles is given.     

Study on the Thermal internal Boundary Layer and Dispersion of Air Pollutant

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