Entropy in Climate Models. Part II: Horizontal Structure of Atmospheric Entropy Production

Abstract

The global horizontal structure of atmospheric entropy has been investigated. In energy balance models, the horizontal distribution of the atmospheric internal entropy production rate has been obtained. Based on the entropy balance relation, this work is of rigorous thermodynamics foundation. In the models, the radiation entropy has been evaluated through the effective temperature method. It is found that with the increase of latitude, the internal entropy production decreases and the entropy production corresponding to the thermal conduction increases. In addition, the atmospheric entropy structure problem under ice age conditions is discussed.