The Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over Polar Marine Surfaces.
Abstract
The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) over polar marine surfaces is, in ways, simpler and, in other ways, more complex than ABLs in other environments. It is simpler because topographic effects are rarely a concern, the surface is fairly homogeneous, and roughness lengths over sea ice and the ocean are much smaller than they are over land. It is complex because the stratification is usually stable, and stable AELs have not yielded to quantification as readily as convective AELs have. This report reviews some of these characteristics of ABLs over polar marine surfaces. The ABL, by definition, is the turbulent layer between the Earth's surface and the (generally) nonturbulent free atmosphere. Hence, the emphasis is on turbulence processes-in particular, the turbulent transfer of momentum and sensible and latent heat over sea ice. As such, this report reviews both the theoretical and observational bases for our understanding of the mean structure of the AEL. Understanding this structure then allows predicting the turbulent surface fluxes of momentum and sensible and latent heat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA313642
Entities
People
- Edgar L. Andreas
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory