A proposed method for estimating diffusion in a freely convective boundary layer by acoustic sounding

• Published in: Atmospheric environment 1978, Vol.12 (9), p.1827-1838
• Main Author: Kerman, B.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0004-6981; 1352-2310
• DOI: 10.1016/0004-6981(78)90002-1

An acoustic sounder system can be configured to provide estimates of the vertical profile of wind velocity and the dissipation rates of kinetic and potential energy. A method based on the concepts of boundary-layer similarity theory is outlined by which the characteristic velocity, w ∗ , in a freely convective boundary layer is deduced from the inversion height and a combination of any two of the mean wind speeds in the layer, the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy and that of turbulent potential energy. These variables, in conjunction with the mean wind velocity and source discharge rate are used to establish the normalized heights, downwind and crosswind distances and the crosswind integrated concentrations of passive contaminants, as well as the distance to and magnitude of the maximum ground concentration of initially buoyant or momentum-driven contaminants. The normalized lateral and vertical spreading is deduced from empirically established laboratory relationships for non-buoyant participates. A preliminary analysis is presented for the feasibility of a similar application to the near-neutral and stable planetary boundary layer.