Flux-Profile Relationships in the Atmospheric Surface Layer

Flux-Profile Relationships in the Atmospheric Surface Layer

MARCH 1971 | J. A. BUSINGER, J. C. WYNGAARD, Y. IZUMI AND E. F. BRADLEY
The paper by Businger, Wyngaard, Izumi, and Bradley analyzes wind and temperature profiles under various stability conditions, focusing on the atmospheric surface layer. The study uses direct measurements of heat and momentum fluxes to determine the Obukhov length \( L \), a key variable in Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The authors find that von Kármán's constant is approximately 0.35, rather than the commonly assumed 0.40, and that the ratio of eddy diffusivities for heat and momentum at neutrality is about 1.35, compared to the often-suggested value of 1.0. The gradient Richardson number and the Obukhov stability parameter \( z/L \) are found to be linearly related under unstable conditions, while the Richardson number approaches a limit of about 0.21 under stable conditions. The paper also compares profile-derived fluxes with measured fluxes, showing good agreement over the entire stability range. The results support the predictions of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and provide new insights into the behavior of turbulent exchange processes in the atmospheric boundary layer.The paper by Businger, Wyngaard, Izumi, and Bradley analyzes wind and temperature profiles under various stability conditions, focusing on the atmospheric surface layer. The study uses direct measurements of heat and momentum fluxes to determine the Obukhov length \( L \), a key variable in Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The authors find that von Kármán's constant is approximately 0.35, rather than the commonly assumed 0.40, and that the ratio of eddy diffusivities for heat and momentum at neutrality is about 1.35, compared to the often-suggested value of 1.0. The gradient Richardson number and the Obukhov stability parameter \( z/L \) are found to be linearly related under unstable conditions, while the Richardson number approaches a limit of about 0.21 under stable conditions. The paper also compares profile-derived fluxes with measured fluxes, showing good agreement over the entire stability range. The results support the predictions of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and provide new insights into the behavior of turbulent exchange processes in the atmospheric boundary layer.
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