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Surface energy balance at a tropical station

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Summary

Studies of various fluxes, namely net radiation, soil heat, sensible heat and latent heat observed at a tropical station are presented in this paper. The time variation of these fluxes are examined in relation to various meteorological parameters and atmospheric conditions. The turbulent transfer coefficients have been evaluated to examine the applicability of the classical theory or the non-equivalence theory for eddy transport in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The energy balance at a tropical station is evaluated. It is found over year there is a net surplus of 94,000 ly. A detailed discussion of the disposal of this energy by various consuming processes is given.

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Abbreviations

C p :

specific heat at constant pressure in cal. g−1 °K

E :

evaporation in g cm−2 hr−1

E * :

evaporative heat flux cal. cm−2 sec−1 (in Eq. 10)

e :

vapour pressure in millibars

e z ,e 2z :

vapour pressure at heightsz and 2z

g :

acceleration due to gravity

H :

sensible heat flux cal cm−2 sec−1 (in Eq. 12)

K M ,K H ,K W :

coefficients of eddy diffusivities of momentum, heat, and water vapour respectively in cm2 sec−1

k :

von Karman' constant=0.4

L :

Monin-Obukhov length (according to Monin and Obukhov [53] the structure of the turbulent boundary layer is determined by the non-dimensional variableZ/L whereL is defined byL=−(u 3* C p ϱT)/(kgH)

ly :

langleys

Q c :

Q—sensible heat flux in langleys (in Eqs. 3 and 4)

Q e :

E—latent heat flux in langleys (in Eqs. 3 and 4)

Q s :

S—soil heat flux in langleys (in Eqs. 3 and 4)

Q i :

Q c +Q e +Q s whenK M ♪K H ♪K W , (in Eq. 6)

Q' i :

Q' c +Q' e +Q s whenK M =K H =K W (in Eq. 7)

qq:

mean specific humidity g kg−1

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  1. Dept. of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University, Waltair, (India)

    R. Ramanadham

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Viswanadham, Y., Ramanadham, R. Surface energy balance at a tropical station. PAGEOPH 81, 279–312 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00875034

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