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The zonally averaged transport characteristics of the atmosphere as determined by a general circulation modelTwo dimensional modeling has become an established technique for the simulation of the global structure of trace constituents. Such models are simpler to formulate and cheaper to operate than three dimensional general circulation models, while avoiding some of the gross simplifications of one dimensional models. Nevertheless, the parameterization of eddy fluxes required in a 2-D model is not a trivial problem. This fact has apparently led some to interpret the shortcomings of existing 2-D models as indicating that the parameterization procedure is wrong in principle. There are grounds to believe that these shortcomings result primarily from incorrect implementations of the predictions of eddy transport theory and that a properly based parameterization may provide a good basis for atmospheric modeling. The existence of these GCM-derived coefficients affords an unprecedented opportunity to test the validity of the flux-gradient parameterization. To this end, a zonally averaged (2-D) model was developed, using these coefficients in the transport parameterization. Results from this model for a number of contrived tracer experiments were compared with the parent GCM. The generally good agreement substantially validates the flus-gradient parameterization, and thus the basic principle of 2-D modeling.
Document ID
19860018328
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Plumb, R. A.
(Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Mordialoc, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: International Council of Scientific Unions Handbook for MAP, Vol. 18
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
86N27800
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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