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  • On the Relationship between the TKE Dissipation Rate and the Temperature Structure Function Parameter in the Convective Boundary Layer
Title: On the Relationship between the TKE Dissipation Rate and the Temperature Structure Function Parameter in the Convective Boundary Layer
Abstract Under stably stratified conditions, the dissipation rate ε of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) is related to the structure function parameter for temperature , through the buoyancy frequency and the so-called mixing efficiency. A similar relationship does not exist for convective turbulence. In this paper, we propose an analytical expression relating ε and in the convective boundary layer (CBL), by taking into account the effects of nonlocal heat transport under convective conditions using the Deardorff countergradient model. Measurements using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-frequency response sensors to measure velocity and temperature fluctuations obtained during the two field campaigns conducted at Shigaraki MU observatory in June 2016 and 2017 are used to test this relationship between ε and in the CBL. The selection of CBL cases for analysis was aided by auxiliary measurements from additional sensors (mainly radars), and these are described. Comparison with earlier results in the literature suggests that the proposed relationship works, if the countergradient term γ D in the Deardorff model, which is proportional to the ratio of the variances of potential temperature θ and vertical velocity w , is evaluated from in situ (airplane and UAV) observational data, but fails if evaluated from large-eddy simulation (LES) results. This appears to be caused by the tendency of the variance of θ in the upper part of the CBL and at the bottom of the entrainment zone to be underestimated by LES relative to in situ measurements from UAVs and aircraft. We discuss this anomaly and explore reasons for it.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1632829
PAR ID:
10208955
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume:
77
Issue:
7
ISSN:
0022-4928
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2311 to 2326
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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