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Estimating the Monin-Obukhov length in the stable boundary layer for dispersion calculations

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Abstract

Analysis of data collected during the Prairie Grass, Kansas and Minnesota experiments reveals the following empirical relationship between the Monin-Obukhov length L and the friction velocity u *: L = Au * 2, A = 1.1 × 103s2m-1. This result combined with the formulation for the height of the stable boundary layer h suggested by Zilitinkevich (1972) leads to h ∫ u * 3/2 f−1/2 where f is the Coriolis parameter. Data from the Minnesota study (Caughey et al., 1979) provide ample support for this expression.

These empirical equations for L and h are useful for routine dispersion estimates during stable conditions.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Air Resources Branch, Toronto, Canada

    A. Venkatram

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  1. A. Venkatram
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Venkatram, A. Estimating the Monin-Obukhov length in the stable boundary layer for dispersion calculations. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 19, 481–485 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122347

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122347

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