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Differences between eddy coefficients for instantaneous and continuous vertical diffusion into the neutral surface layer

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Abstract

Batchelor's similarity law for vertical diffusion into the neutral surface layer was shown by Ellison to yield a universal constant equal to the Karman constant. However, the argument assumes that the eddy coefficient for mass above an instantaneous ground source is the same as for a continuous source. In this study, the former eddy coefficient is found to be time dependent and height independent if the particulate distribution is Gaussian. This leads to a value of the universal constant 2/π smaller than found by Ellison.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, 80302, Boulder, Colo., U.S.A.

    J. W. Deardorff

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  1. J. W. Deardorff
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The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

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Deardorff, J.W. Differences between eddy coefficients for instantaneous and continuous vertical diffusion into the neutral surface layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 5, 451–457 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123491

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123491

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