The Determination of Surface-Layer Stability and Eddy Fluxes Using Wind Speed and Vertical Temperature Gradient Measurements

Abstract

Analytical relations are developed that relate the Monin-Obukhov parameter to a modified bulk Richardson number expressed in terms of measured wind speed and vertical temperature difference. Measured Monin-Obukhov parameters and Richardson numbers are compared with those calculated using these relations as well as those using the conversion schemes developed earlier by Golder. Measured surface heat and momentum fluxes under unstable conditions are also compared with those predicted using the present simple estimating scheme. Effects of different choices of parameters in the flux-profile relationship with respect to the predicted stability parameters and to the plume dispersion parameters are discussed.