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The influence of nonstationarity on the turbulent flux–gradient relationship for stable stratification

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Atmospheric Boundary Layers

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Abstract

Extensive eddy-correlation datasets are analyzed to examine the influence of nonstationarity of the mean flow on the flux–gradient relationship near the surface. This nonstationarity is due to wavelike motions, meandering of the wind vector, and numerous unidentified small-scale mesoscale motions. While the data do not reveal an obvious critical gradient Richardson number, the maximum downward heat flux increases approximately linearly with increasing friction velocity for significant stability.

The largest of our datasets is chosen to more closely examine the influence of stability, nonstationarity, distortion of the mean wind profile and self-correlation on the flux-gradient relationship. Stability is expressed in terms of z/L, the gradient Richardson number or the bulk Richardson number over the tower layer. The efficiency of the momentum transport systematically increases with increasing nonstationarity and attendant distortion of the mean wind profile. Enhancement of the turbulent momentum flux associated with nonstationarity is examined in terms of the nondimensional shear, Prandtl number and the eddy diffusivity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104, Ocean Adm Building, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    L. Mahrt

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  1. L. Mahrt
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Correspondence to L. Mahrt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Meteorological Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Alexander Baklanov

  2. Department of Geophysics, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Branko Grisogono

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Mahrt, L. (2007). The influence of nonstationarity on the turbulent flux–gradient relationship for stable stratification. In: Baklanov, A., Grisogono, B. (eds) Atmospheric Boundary Layers. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-74321-9_7

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