Low-wavenumber spectral characteristics of velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer

Gabriel G Katul, C. R. Chu, M. B. Parlange, John D Albertson, T. A. Ortenburger

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Abstract

The structure of atmospheric surface layer turbulence at low wavenumbers was analyzed using 56 Hz triaxial velocity and temperature measurements above a uniform dry lake bed. A key feature of this experiment was the small roughness length of the surface that resulted in a small roughness Reynolds number. Under near-neutral atmospheric stability conditions, a -1 power law was observed in both measured velocity and temperature spectra. The wavenumber at which the -1 power law terminates and the -5/3 power law commences was derived as a function of the Kolmogorov and von Karman constants. Good agreement between the predicted and the measured transition wavenumber from -1 to -5/3 was noted for fully rough-flow conditions. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research
Volume100
Issue numberD7
Publication statusPublished - 1995
Externally publishedYes

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