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The capabilities of nine atmospheric dispersion models in predicting near-field dispersion from puff releases in an urban environment are addressed under the Urban Dispersion INternational Evaluation Exercise (UDINEE) project. The model results are evaluated using tracer observations from the Joint Urban 2003 (JU2003) experiment where neutrally-buoyant puffs were released in the downtown area of Oklahoma City, USA. Sulphur hexafluoride concentration time series measured at ten sampling locations during four daytime and four night-time puff releases are used to evaluate how the models simulate the puff passage at the measurement locations. The neutrally-buoyant puff releases in the JU2003 experiment are the closest scenario to radiological dispersal device (RDD) releases in urban areas, and therefore, UDINEE is a first step towards improving the emergency response to an RDD explosion in the urban environment. We investigate for each puff and sampler the model capability of simulating the peak concentration; the peak and puff arrival times; and time duration, defined as the period over which concentrations exceed 10% of the peak concentration. This analysis points out differences on the performance of models: the fraction within a factor-of-two values ranges from 0.10 to 0.6 for peak concentration, from 0 to 1 for the peak and arrival times, and from 0 to 0.8 for the time duration. The results reveal that the characteristics of the release site largely influence the model simulation as it affects initial puff size and the initial downwind spread of the puff.

Experimental determinations of the local heat transfer by forced convection from model leaves heated by a constant energy flux were made in the laboratory under laminar and turbulent flow conditions. The results are expressed in a logarithmic dimensionless plot of the local Nusselt number, Nu d , against the local Reynolds number, Re d . For the laminar case, Nu d was only a linear function of Re d 1/2 downwind from the leading edge regions, although this relationship departed from that predicted theoretically due to the finite size and thickness of the model. For the turbulent case, a simple relationship between Nu d and Re d was found over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The enhancement of heat transfer in the turbulent case depends primarily on the scale of turbulence rather than on the turbulent intensity. Past workers have discussed their results in relation to a factor β, defined as the ratio between the heat transfer predicted by the Polhausen equation, and that measured. The results suggest that β is not a unique parameter and may not be useful in describing the overall turbulent transfer process.

The heated boundary layer for DAY 33 of the Wangara data of southeast Australia (Clarke et al., 1971) is studied numerically with a three-dimensional model using 64000 grid points within a volume 5 km on a side and 2 km deep. Subgrid-scale transport equations were utilized in place of eddy-coefficient formulations. The rate of growth of the mixed layer is examined and parameterized, and the vertical profiles of heat flux, moisture flux and momentum fluxes are examined. The momentum boundary layer is found to coincide essentially with the mixed layer, and to grow with the latter during the hours of solar heating of the surface.

From measurements during the ‘Atlantic Trade Wind Experiment (ATEX) 1969,’ amplitudes and phases of the diurnal harmonic water-temperature variation between the sea surface and 50-m depth and of the semi-diurnal wind variation between 1 and 8 m were obtained. If the vertical diffusion of heat in the ocean is thought to be constant, a coefficient of K= 320 cm2 s−1 in the equation of diffusion fits best the observed data in the mixed layer. However, the measurements point to a decrease of K with depth. The height variation of the semi-diurnal zonal wind wave is caused by the influence of eddy viscosity. Our data are well fitted by results of the equation of diffusion, using the assumption of Lettau (1974) that the transfer coefficient of vertical transport of momentum is not only a function of height but also depends on time because of the semi-diurnal variation of surface stress.

In a previous paper (Shuttleworth, 1975) the possibility of providing a theoretical description of evaporation from a partially wet canopy in terms of a simple planar model (of the Penman-Monteith type) was discussed. The object of the present note is to draw attention to recent experimental evidence which suggests the inapplicability of such a model in these conditions.

Two experiments conducted almost 20 years ago have come to be regarded as important milestones in boundary-layer research. This paper recounts the motivation for those experiments, describes how they were conducted, and summarizes their results.

This is the first of two papers reporting the results of a study of the turbulence regimes and exchange processes within and above an extensive Douglas-fir stand. The experiment was conducted on Vancouver Island during a two-week rainless period in July and August 1990. The experimental site was located on a 5o slope. The stand, which was planted in 1962, and thinned and pruned uniformly in 1988, had a (projected) leaf area index of 5.4 and a heighth=16.7 m. Two eddy correlation units were operated in the daytime to measure the fluctuations in the three velocity components, air temperature and water vapour density, with one mounted permanently at a height of 23.0m (z/h=1.38) and the other at various heights in the stand with two to three 8-hour periods of measurement at each level. Humidity and radiation regimes both above and beneath the overstory and profiles of wind speed and air temperature were also measured. The most important findings are:

The turbulence closure in atmospheric boundary-layer modelling utilizing Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations at mesoscale as well as at local scale is lacking today a common approach. The standard kɛ model, although it has been successful for local scale problems especially in neutral conditions, is deficient for mesoscale flows without modifications. The k–ɛ model is re-examined and a new general approach in developing two-equation turbulence models is proposed with the aim of improving their reliability and consequently their range of applicability. This exercise has led to the replacement of the ɛ-transport equation by the transport equation for the turbulence inverse length scale (wavenumber). The present version of the model is restricted to neutrally stratified flows but applicable to both local scale and mesoscale flows. The model capabilities are demonstrated by application to a series of one-dimensional planetary boundary-layer problems and a two-dimensional flow over a square obstacle. For those applications, the present model gave considerably better results than the standard k–ɛ model.