Abstract
Four distinct types of autocorrelograms were observed using high-frequency vertical velocity data measured at 100 m above a flat terrain. Several types of nonstationary atmospheric motions due to low frequency fluctuations were examined. Under nighttime stable conditions, these phenomena were found to lead to abnormally slow exponential decay of the autocorrelation function. Several different techniques for estimating Eulerian integral time scales were compared in order to select an appropriate method of estimation. When grouped by stability classes, the Eulerian integral time scales decrease slightly with increasing stability, but generally exhibit no significant correlation with other meteorological parameters. Using a postulated relation, estimates of the Lagrangian to Eulerian integral time scale ratio range from 3 to 5 under unstable conditions and 15 to 25 under stable conditions. Under unstable conditions the average Lagrangian integral time scale is on the order of 40 s and exhibits no significant correlation with several pertinent meteorological parameters. Under stable conditions, the Lagrangian integral time scale correlates well with the Monin-Obukhov length and temperature lapse rate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angell, J. K., Pack, D., and Hoecker, H.: 1971, ‘Lagrangian-Eulerian Time Scale Ratios Estimated from Constant Volume Balloon Flights Past a Tall Tower’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 90, 57–71.
Bendat, J. S. and Piersol, A. G.: 1971, Random Data: Analysis and Measurement Procedures, Wily-Interscience, New York, New York, 407 pp.
Caughey, S. J.: 1982, ‘Observed Characteristics of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, in F. T. M. Nieuwstadt and H. van Dop (eds.), Atmospheric Turbulence and Air Pollution Modelling, D. Reidel Publ. Co., Dordrecht, Holland, 107–158.
Caughey, S. J. and Readings, C. J.: 1975, ‘An Observation of Waves and Turbulence in the Earth's Boundary Layer’, Bound.-Layer Meteor. 9, 279–296.
Cher, M., Joncich, A., McDade, C., Schwall, R., and Waldron, T.: 1983, Plume Model Validation Field Measurements — Flat Terrain Side, Kincaid, Illinois, Rockwell International, Newbury Park, California.
Corrsin, S.: 1963, ‘Estimation of the Relation between Eulerian and Lagrangian Scales in large Reynold's Number Turbulence’, J. Atmos. Sci. 20, 115–118.
Csanady, G. T.: 1973, Turbulent Diffusion in the Environment, D. Reidel Publ. Co., Dordrecht, Holland.
Draxler, R. R.: 1976, ‘Determination of Atmospheric Diffusion Parameters’, Atmos. Environ. 10, 99–105.
Gifford, F. A.: 1955, ‘A Simultaneous Lagrangian-Eulerian Turbulence Experiment’, Monthly Weather Rev. 83, 293–301.
Hanna, S. R.: 1981, ‘Lagrangian and Eulerian Time-Scale Relations in the Daytime Boundary Layer’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 20, 242–249.
Hanna, S. R.: 1983, ‘Lateral Turbulence Intensity and Plume Meandering During Stable Conditions’, J. of Climate and Appl. Meteorol. 22, 1424–1430.
Hay, J. S. and Pasquill, F.: 1959, ‘Diffusion from a Continuous Source in Relation to the Spectrum and Scale of Turbulence’, Adv. Geophys. 6, 345.
Hilst, G. R.: 1957, ‘Observations of the Diffusion and Transport of Stack Effluents in Stable Atmospheres’, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Chicago.
Hudischewskyj, A. B. and Reynolds, S. D.: 1983, ‘A Catalogy of Data for the EPRI Plume Model Validation and Development Data Base-Plains Site’, EPRI Report EA-3080, Systems Applications, Inc., San Rafael, California.
Kaimal, J. C., Wyngaard, J. C., Izumi, Y., and Cote, O. R.: 1972, ‘Spectral Characteristics of Surface Layer Turbulence’, Quart. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 98, 563–589.
Kaimal, J. C., Wyngaard, J. C., Cote, O. R., Izumi, Y., Caughey, S. J., and Readings, C. J.: 1976, ‘Turbulence Structure in the Convective Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 33, 2152–2169.
Leyi, Z. and Panofsky, H. A.: 1983, ‘Wind Fluctuation in Stable Air at the Boulder Tower’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 25, 354–361.
Liu, M. K. and Moore, G. E.: 1984, ‘Diagnostic Validation of Plume Models at a Plains Site’, EA-3077, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California.
Mickelsen, W. R.: 1955, ‘An Experimental Comparison of Lagrangian and Eulerian Correlation Coefficients in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence’, N.A.C.A. Tech. Note No. 3570, Washington, D.C.
Misra, P. K.: 1978, ‘The Auto-correlation Function of the Vertical Velocity in the Low-Frequency Range’, Fourth Symposium on Turbulence, Diffusion, and Air Pollution, American Meteorol. Soc., Reno, Nevada, pp. 41–45.
Panofsky, H. A. and Deland, R. J.: 1959, ‘One-Dimensional Spectra of Atmospheric Turbulence in the Lowest 100 m, Atmospheric Diffusion and Air Pollution’, Adv. Geophys. 6, 41–61.
Pasquill, F.: 1971, ‘Atmospheric Dispersion of Pollution’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 97, 369–395.
Panofsky, H. A. and Deland, R. J.: 1959, ‘One-Dimensional Spectral of Atmospheric Turbulence in the Lowest 100 m, Atmospheric Diffusion and Air Pollution’, Adv. Geophys. 6, 41–61.
Pasquill, F.: 1971, ‘Atmospheric dispersion of Pollution’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 97, 369–395.
Pasquill, F. and Smith, F. B.: 1983, Atmospheric Diffusion, 3rd ed., Halsted Press, New York, New York, 435 pp.
Phillips, P. and Panofsky, H. A.: 1982, ‘A Re-examination of Lateral Dispersion from Continuous Sources’, Atmos. Environ. 16, 1851–1860.
Smith, F., Decker, C. F., Strong, R. B., White, J. H., Arey, F. K., and Bach, W. D.: 1983, Estimates of Uncertainty for the PMV Project Field Measurements — Plains Site, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Taylor, G. I.: 1921, ‘Diffusion by Continuous Movements’, Proc. London Math. Soc., Ser. 2, 20, 196–202.
Turner, D. B.: 1967, Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates, Public Health Service, Publication 999-AP-26, Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Wamser, C. and H. Muller: 1977, ‘On the Spectral Scale of Wind Fluctuations within and above the Surface Layer’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 103, 721–730.
Webb, E. K.: 1955, Autocorrelations and Energy Spectra of Atmospheric Turbulence, Tech. Paper No. 5, C.S.I.R.O., Div. Met. Phys., Melbourne, Australia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Work conducted while a visiting scholar at Systems Applications, Inc.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, G.E., Liu, MK. & Shi, LH. Estimates of integral time scales from a 100-M meteorological tower at a plains site. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 31, 349–368 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120835
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120835