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The Effect of Rain on Air-Water Gas ExchangeThe relationship between gas transfer velocity and rain rate was investigated at NASA's Rain-Sea Interaction Facility (RSIF) using several SF, evasion experiments. During each experiment, a water tank below the rain simulator was supersaturated with SF6, a synthetic gas, and the gas transfer velocities were calculated from the measured decrease in SF6 concentration with time. The results from experiments with IS different rain rates (7 to 10 mm/h) and 1 of 2 drop sizes (2.8 or 4.2 mm diameter) confirm a significant and systematic enhancement of air-water gas exchange by rainfall. The gas transfer velocities derived from our experiment were related to the kinetic energy flux calculated from the rain rate and drop size. The relationship obtained for mono-dropsize rain at the RSIF was extrapolated to natural rain using the kinetic energy flux of natural rain calculated from the Marshall-Palmer raindrop size distribution. Results of laboratory experiments at RSIF were compared to field observations made during a tropical rainstorm in Miami, Florida and show good agreement between laboratory and field data.
Document ID
20000037970
Acquisition Source
Wallops Flight Facility
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ho, David T.
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY United States)
Bliven, Larry F.
(NASA Wallops Flight Center Wallops Island, VA United States)
Wanninkhof, Rik
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Miami, FL United States)
Schlosser, Peter
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes Research Publications
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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