Objective Criteria for Rejecting Data for Bowen Ratio Flux Calculations

Abstract

In addition to the inherent problem of accumulating errors of measurement of net radiation and subsurface heat flux, the Bowen ratio energy balance method often produces totally unacceptable sensible and latent heat fluxes: wrong signs (directions) and extremely inaccurate magnitudes of the fluxes, or both. These problems are due to resolution limits of the instruments. Objective criteria to eliminate undesirable data are derived in general forms. An example is graphically presented for the common case of the psychometric tower with a 0.05°C resolution limit of temperature measurement.