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Buoyant production and consumption of turbulence kinetic energy in cloud-topped mixed layersIt is pointed out that studies of the entraining planetary boundary layer (PBL) have generally emphasized the role of buoyancy fluxes in driving entrainment. The buoyancy flux is proportional to the rate of conversion of the potential energy of the mean flow into the kinetic energy of the turbulence. It is not unusual for conversion to proceed in both directions simultaneously. This occurs, for instance, in both clear and cloudy convective mixed layers which are capped by inversions. A partitioning of the net conversion into positive parts, generating turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), and negative parts (TKE-consuming), would make it possible to include the positive part in the gross production rate, and closure would be achieved. Three different approaches to partitioning have been proposed. The present investigation is concerned with a comparison of the three partitioning theories. Particular attention is given to the cloud-topped mixed layer because in this case the differences between two partitioning approaches are most apparent.
Document ID
19840049032
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Randall, D. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume: 41
ISSN: 0022-4928
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
84A31819
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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