Mid-latitude convective boundary-layer electricity: A study by large-eddy simulation

• Published in: Atmospheric research 2020-11, Vol.244, p.105035, Article 105035
• Main Authors: Anisimov, S.V., Galichenko, S.V., Prokhorchuk, A.A., Aphinogenov, K.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Convective boundary layer; Fair-weather atmospheric electricity; Global electric circuit; Large-eddy simulation
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2020.105035

This paper reports the first investigations of the mid-latitude convective boundary layer (CBL) electricity above the homogeneous land surface using a large-eddy simulation (LES). Our approach uses LES together with a subgrid kinematic model for relative dispersion of scalar to calculate Lagrangian trajectories of notional particles carrying radioactive nuclei, small atmospheric ions, and charged aerosol particles. This technique opens up new possibilities for quantifying the influence of various environmental conditions on the formation of the electrical state of the undisturbed lower atmosphere. We examine the altitude distribution of principal atmospheric electrical quantities in the CBL and lower free weakly stable atmosphere without clouds depending on surface turbulent heat flux, geostrophic wind speed, mixed-layer height, ionospheric potential, and various ion production rates due to cosmic rays and radioactive gases. •The altitude distribution of atmospheric electrical variables in the CBL is numerically investigated by LES.•The efficiency and polarity of a fair-weather electric convective generator depend on the altitude profile of conductivity.•The range of computed EMF acting in the CBL is from -16.7 to 13.2 kV depending on partial columnar resistance and potential.•The three-polar structure of the space charge can be formed under high ionization of the atmospheric surface layer by thoron.