An Investigation of Small Scale Humidity Fluctuations in the Marine Boundary Layer.

Abstract

Humidity spectra were measured with the Lyman-alpha humidiometer, together with mean profiles of virtual potential temperature, wind, and humidity in the open ocean environment. Empirically derived expressions describing the temperature structure parameter were extended by similarity arguments to the humidity-structure parameter, (C sub q) squared, and (C sub q) squared was related to the stability parameter Ri. Using the above measured parameters, vertical humidity flux was computed in two different manners, and a comparison was made. In general, there was little correlation between the spectrally analyzed (C sub q) squared values and Ri. Results for (C sub q) squared can essentially be regarded as a function of z and humidity gradient. Non-dimensional (C sub q) squared results were generally an order of magnitude smaller than expected. No correlation between the two methods of calculation of humidity flux was found.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA038899

Entities

People

  • William Leroy Shutt

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Analyzers
  • Boundary Layer
  • Detectors
  • Environment
  • Humidity
  • Instrumentation
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Ocean Environments
  • Oceans
  • Richardson Number
  • Spectra
  • Spectrum Analyzers
  • United States
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Water Vapor

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.