Nondimensional Wind and Temperature Profiles in the Atmospheric Surface Layer over the Hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert in China

Observed turbulent fluxes, wind, and temperature profiles at Tazhong station over the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert in China have been analyzed to evaluate empirical parameters used in the profile functions of desert surface layer. The von Kármán constant derived from our observations is about...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yongqiang Liu, Ali Mamtimin, Wen Huo, Xinghua Yang, Xinchun Liu, Fan Yang, Qing He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2016-01-01
Series:Advances in Meteorology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9325953
Description
Summary:Observed turbulent fluxes, wind, and temperature profiles at Tazhong station over the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert in China have been analyzed to evaluate empirical parameters used in the profile functions of desert surface layer. The von Kármán constant derived from our observations is about 0.396 in near-neutral stratification, which is in good agreement with many other studies for different underlying surface. In our analysis, the turbulent Prandtl number is about 0.75 in near-neutral conditions. For unstable range, the nondimensional wind and temperature profile functions are best fitted by the exponents of −1/4 and −1/2, respectively. The linear relations still hold for stable stratification in this extremely arid desert. However, the parameters used in their profile functions need to be revised to be applicable for desert surfaces.
ISSN:1687-9309
1687-9317