scholarly journals Including Atmospheric Layers in Vegetation and Urban Offline Surface Schemes

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1377-1397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valéry Masson ◽  
Yann Seity

Abstract A formulation to include prognostic atmospheric layers in offline surface schemes is derived from atmospheric equations. Whereas multilayer schemes developed previously need a complex coupling between atmospheric-model levels and surface-scheme levels, the coupling proposed here remains simple. This is possible because the atmospheric layers interacting with the surface scheme are independent of the atmospheric model that could be coupled above. The surface boundary layer (SBL; both inside and just above the canopy) is resolved prognostically, taking into account large-scale forcing, turbulence, and, if any, drag and canopy forces and surface fluxes. This formulation allows one to retrieve the logarithmic law in neutral conditions, and it has been validated when coupled to a 3D atmospheric model. Systematic comparisons with 2-m observations and 10-m wind have been made for 2 months. The SBL scheme is able to model the 2-m temperature accurately, as well as the 10-m wind, without any use of analytical interpolation. The largest improvement takes place during stable conditions (i.e., by night), during which analytical laws and interpolation methods are known to be less accurate, and in mountainous areas, in which nocturnal low-level flow is strongly influenced by surface cooling. The prognostic SBL scheme is shown to solve the nighttime physical disconnection problem between surface and atmosphere models. The inclusion of the SBL into the urban Town Energy Balance scheme is presented in a paper by Hamdi and Masson in which the ability of the method to simulate the profiles of both mean and turbulent quantities from above the building down to the road surface is shown using data from the Basel Urban Boundary Layer Experiment (BUBBLE). The proposed method will allow the inclusion of the detailed physics of the multilayer schemes (e.g., the interactions of the SBL flow with forest or urban canopy) into a single-layer scheme that is easily coupled with atmospheric models.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Wagner ◽  
Andre Souza ◽  
Adeline Hillier ◽  
Ali Ramadhan ◽  
Raffaele Ferrari

<p>Parameterizations of turbulent mixing in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) are key Earth System Model (ESM) components that modulate the communication of heat and carbon between the atmosphere and ocean interior. OSBL turbulence parameterizations are formulated in terms of unknown free parameters estimated from observational or synthetic data. In this work we describe the development and use of a synthetic dataset called the “LESbrary” generated by a large number of idealized, high-fidelity, limited-area large eddy simulations (LES) of OSBL turbulent mixing. We describe how the LESbrary design leverages a detailed understanding of OSBL conditions derived from observations and large scale models to span the range of realistically diverse physical scenarios. The result is a diverse library of well-characterized “synthetic observations” that can be readily assimilated for the calibration of realistic OSBL parameterizations in isolation from other ESM model components. We apply LESbrary data to calibrate free parameters, develop prior estimates of parameter uncertainty, and evaluate model errors in two OSBL parameterizations for use in predictive ESMs.</p>


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 4161-4207 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Ter Maat ◽  
R. W. A. Hutjes

Abstract. A large scale mismatch exists between our understanding and quantification of ecosystem atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide at local scale and continental scales. This paper will focus on the carbon exchange on the regional scale to address the following question: What are the main controlling factors determining atmospheric carbon dioxide content at a regional scale? We use the Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (RAMS), coupled with a land surface scheme simulating carbon, heat and momentum fluxes (SWAPS-C), and including also sub models for urban and marine fluxes, which in principle include the main controlling mechanisms and capture the relevant dynamics of the system. To validate the model, observations are used which were taken during an intensive observational campaign in the central Netherlands in summer 2002. These included flux-site observations, vertical profiles at tall towers and spatial fluxes of various variables taken by aircraft. The coupled regional model (RAMS-SWAPS-C) generally does a good job in simulating results close to reality. The validation of the model demonstrates that surface fluxes of heat, water and CO2 are reasonably well simulated. The comparison against aircraft data shows that the regional meteorology is captured by the model. Comparing spatially explicit simulated and observed fluxes we conclude that in general simulated latent heat fluxes are underestimated by the model to the observations which exhibit large standard deviation for all flights. Sensitivity experiments demonstrated the relevance of the urban emissions of carbon dioxide for the carbon balance in this particular region. The same test also show the relation between uncertainties in surface fluxes and those in atmospheric concentrations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (10) ◽  
pp. 3474-3483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Ja Ha ◽  
Yu-Kyung Hyun ◽  
Hyun-Mi Oh ◽  
Kyung-Eak Kim ◽  
Larry Mahrt

Abstract The Monin–Obukhov similarity theory and a generalized formulation of the mixing length for the stable boundary layer are evaluated using the Cooperative Atmosphere–Surface Exchange Study-1999 (CASES-99) data. The large-scale wind forcing is classified into weak, intermediate, and strong winds. Although the stability parameter, z/L, is inversely dependent on the mean wind speed, the speed of the large-scale flow includes independent influences on the flux–gradient relationship. The dimensionless mean wind shear is found to obey existing stability functions when z/L is less than unity, particularly for the strong and intermediate wind classes. For weak mean winds and/or strong stability (z/L > 1), this similarity theory breaks down. Deviations from similarity theory are examined in terms of intermittency. A case study of a weak-wind night indicates important modulation of the turbulence flux by mesoscale motions of unknown origin.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-684
Author(s):  
Dongmin Lee ◽  
Lazaros Oreopoulos ◽  
Nayeong Cho

Abstract. We revisit the concept of the cloud vertical structure (CVS) classes we have previously employed to classify the planet's cloudiness (Oreopoulos et al., 2017). The CVS classification reflects simple combinations of simultaneous cloud occurrence in the three standard layers traditionally used to separate low, middle, and high clouds and was applied to a dataset derived from active lidar and cloud radar observations. This classification is now introduced in an atmospheric global climate model, specifically a version of NASA's GEOS-5, in order to evaluate the realism of its cloudiness and of the radiative effects associated with the various CVS classes. Such classes can be defined in GEOS-5 thanks to a subcolumn cloud generator paired with the model's radiative transfer algorithm, and their associated radiative effects can be evaluated against observations. We find that the model produces 50 % more clear skies than observations in relative terms and produces isolated high clouds that are slightly less frequent than in observations, but optically thicker, yielding excessive planetary and surface cooling. Low clouds are also brighter than in observations, but underestimates of the frequency of occurrence (by ∼20 % in relative terms) help restore radiative agreement with observations. Overall the model better reproduces the longwave radiative effects of the various CVS classes because cloud vertical location is substantially constrained in the CVS framework.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhakar Namdev ◽  
Maithili Sharan ◽  
Saroj Kanta Mishra

<p>The lowest portion of the planetary boundary layer (PBL), where the turbulent fluxes are assumed to be constant, is known as the atmospheric surface layer (ASL). Within the surface layer, the surface exchange processes play an important role in land-atmosphere interaction. Thus, a precise formulation of the surface fluxes is crucial to ensure an adequate atmospheric evolution by numerical models. The Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) is a widely used framework to estimate the surface turbulent fluxes within the surface layer. MOST uses similarity functions of momentum (φ<sub>m</sub>) and heat (φ<sub>h</sub>) for non-dimensional wind and temperature profiles. Over the years, various formulations for these similarity functions have been proposed by the researchers ranging from linear to non-linear forms. These formulations have limitations in the weak wind, stable, and unstable atmospheric conditions. In the surface layer scheme currently available in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5.0), the stable and unstable regimes are divided into four parts, and the corresponding similarity functions are the functions proposed by Kader and Yaglom (1990) for strong unstable stratification, by Businger et al. (1971) for weak unstable stratification, functions by Dyer (1974) for weak stable stratification, and for moderate to strongly stable stratification, the functions from Holtslag et al. (1990) have been utilized. The criteria used for this classification are somewhat ad-hoc, and there is an abrupt transition between different regimes encountered.            </p><p>       In the present study, an effort has been made to implement the similarity functions proposed by Grachev et al. (2007) for stable conditions and Fairall et al. (1996) for unstable conditions in the surface layer scheme of Community Land Model (CLM) for CAM5.0. In the modified version, the similarity functions for unstable conditions are a combination of commonly used Paulson type expressions for near-neutral stratification and an expression proposed by Carl et al. (1973) that takes in to account highly convective conditions. Similarly, the formulation proposed by Grachev et al., for stable conditions, can cover a wider range of stable stratifications. The simulations with CAM5 model using the existing and modified version of surface layer scheme have been performed with 1° resolution for ten years, and the impact of modified functions on the simulation of various important near-surface variables over the tropical region is analyzed. It is found that the scheme with modified functions improving the simulation of surface variables as compared with the existing scheme over the tropical region. In addition, the limitations arbitrarily imposed on particular variables in the existing surface layer scheme can be eliminated or suppressed by using these modified functions.  </p><p>References:</p><p>Fairall CW, Bradley EF, Rogers DP, Edson JB, Young GS (1996) Bulk parameterization of air-sea fluxes for tropical ocean global atmosphere coupled-ocean atmosphere response experiment. J Geophys Res 101(C2):3747–3764</p><p>Grachev, A.A., Andreas, E.L., Fairall, C.W., Guest, P.S. and Persson, P.O.G. (2007a) SHEBA: flux–profile relationships in stable atmospheric boundary layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorology,124, 315–333.</p><p>Keywords:</p><p>Boundary layer, Turbulence, Climate Model, Surface Fluxes</p>


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Ames ◽  
M. W. Plesniak

An experimental research program was undertaken to examine the influence of large-scale high-intensity turbulence on vane exit losses, wake growth, and exit turbulence characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a four-vane linear cascade at an exit Reynolds number of 800,000 based on chord length and an exit Mach number of 0.27. Exit measurements were made for four inlet turbulence conditions including a low-turbulence case (Tu ≈ 1 percent), a grid-generated turbulence case (Tu ≈ 7.5. percent) and two levels of large-scale turbulence generated with a mock combustor (Tu ≈ 12 and 8 percent). Exit total pressure surveys were taken at two locations to quantify total pressure losses. The suction surface boundary layer was also traversed to determine losses due to boundary layer growth. Losses occurred in the core of the flow for the elevated turbulence cases. The elevated free-stream turbulence was found to have a significant effect on wake growth. Generally, the wakes subjected to elevated free-stream turbulence were broader and had smaller peak velocity deficits. Reynolds stress profiles exhibited asymmetry in peak amplitudes about the wake centerline, which are attributable to differences in the evolution of the boundary layers on the pressure and suction surfaces of the vanes. The overall level of turbulence and dissipation inside the wakes and in the free stream was determined to document the rotor inlet boundary conditions. This is useful information for assessing rotor heat transfer and aerodynamics. Eddy diffusivities and mixing lengths were estimated using X-wire measurements of turbulent shear stress. The free-stream turbulence was found to strongly affect eddy diffusivities, and thus wake mixing. At the last measuring position, the average eddy diffusivity in the wake of the high-turbulence close combustor configuration (Tu ≈ 12) was three times that of the low turbulence wake.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 4373-4406 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chand ◽  
P. Guyon ◽  
P. Artaxo ◽  
O. Schmid ◽  
G. P. Frank ◽  
...  

Abstract. As part of the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia – Smoke, Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate (LBA-SMOCC) campaign, detailed surface and airborne aerosol measurements were performed over the Amazon Basin during the dry to wet season from 16 September to 14 November 2002. Optical and physical properties of aerosols at the surface, boundary layer (BL) and free troposphere (FT) during the dry season are discussed in this article. Carbon monoxide (CO) is used as a tracer for biomass burning emissions. At the surface, good correlation among the light scattering coefficient (σs at 550 nm), PM2.5, and CO indicates that biomass burning is the main source of aerosols. Accumulation of haze during some of the large-scale biomass burning events led to high mass loadings (PM2.5=200 µgm−3), σs (1400 Mm−1), aerosol optical depth at 500 nm (3.0), and CO (3000 ppb). A few rainy episodes reduced the aerosol mass loading, number concentration (CN) and CO concentration by two orders of magnitude. The correlation analysis between σs and aerosol optical thickness shows that most of the optically active aerosols are confined to a layer with a scale height of 1660 m during the burning season. The average mass scattering and absorption efficiencies (532 nm) for small particles (diameter Dp<1.5 µm) at surface level are found to be 5.3 and 0.42 m2 g−1, respectively, when relating the aerosol optical properties to PM2.5 aerosols. The observed mean single scattering albedo (ωo at ~540 nm) for submicron aerosols at the surface (0.92±0.02) is significantly higher than reported previously. The scattering efficiency (dσs/dCN) of particles increases 2–10 times from the surface to the FT, most probably due to the combined affects of coagulation and condensation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schwitalla ◽  
Hans-Stefan Bauer ◽  
Kirsten Warrach-Sagi ◽  
Thomas Bönisch ◽  
Volker Wulfmeyer

Abstract. Air pollution is one of the major challenges in urban areas. It can have a major impact on human health and society and is currently a subject of several litigations at European courts. Information on the level of air pollution is based on near surface measurements, which are often irregularly distributed along the main traffic roads and provide almost no information about the residential areas and office districts in the cities. To further enhance the process understanding and give scientific support to decision makers, we developed a prototype for an air quality forecasting system (AQFS) within the EU demonstration project Open Forecast. For AQFS, the Weather Research and Forecasting model together with its coupled chemistry component (WRF-Chem) is applied for the Stuttgart metropolitan area in Germany. Three model domains from 1.25 km down to a turbulence permitting resolution of 50 m were used and a single layer urban canopy model was active in all domains. As demonstration case study the 21 January 2019 was selected which was a heavy polluted day with observed PM10 concentrations exceeding 50 µg m−3. Our results show that the model is capable to reasonably simulate the diurnal cycle of surface fluxes and 2-m temperatures as well as evolution of the stable and shallow boundary layer typically occurring in wintertime in Stuttgart. The simulated fields of particulates with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) allow a clear statement about the most heavily polluted areas apart from the irregularly distributed measurement sites. Together with information about the vertical distribution of PM10 and NO2 from the model, AQFS will serve as a valuable tool for air quality forecast and has the potential of being applied to other cities around the world.


Author(s):  
Forrest E. Ames ◽  
Michael W. Plesniak

An experimental research program was undertaken to examine the influence of large-scale high, intensity turbulence on vane exit losses, wake growth, and exit turbulence characteristics. The experiment was conducted in a four vane linear cascade at an exit Reynolds number of 800, 000 based on chord length and an exit Mach number of 0.27. Exit measurements were made for four inlet turbulence conditions including a low turbulence case (Tu ≈ 1%), a grid-generated turbulence case (Tu ≈ 7.5%), and two levels of large-scale turbulence generated with a mock combustor (Tu ≈ 12% & Tu ≈ 8%). Exit total pressure surveys were taken at two locations to quantify total pressure losses. The suction surface boundary layer was also traversed to determine losses due boundary layer growth. Losses were also found in the core of the flow for the elevated turbulence cases. The elevated free stream turbulence was found to have a significant effect on wake growth. Generally, the wakes subjected to elevated free stream turbulence were broader and had smaller peak velocity deficits. Reynolds stress profiles exhibited asymmetry in peak amplitudes about the wake centerline, which are attributable to differences in the evolution of the boundary layers on the pressure and suction surfaces of the vanes. The overall level of turbulence and dissipation inside the wakes and in the free stream was determined to document the rotor inlet boundary conditions. This is useful information for assessing rotor heat transfer and aerodynamics. Eddy diffusivities and mixing lengths were estimated using X-wire measurements of turbulent shear stress. The free stream turbulence was found to strongly affect eddy diffusivities, and thus wake mixing. At the last measuring position, the average eddy diffusivity in the wake of the high turbulence close combustor configuration (Tu ≈ 12) was three times that of the low turbulence wake.


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