Xuhui Lee - Böcker

Micrometeorology is a branch of meteorology that is concerned with atmospheric phenomena and processes near the ground at scales of tens of meters to several kilometers. Progress in micrometeorologyismade throughexperimentalinvestigationofthesephenomenaandquantitative studyattemptingtobringordertoexperimentaldata. Studiesofsurfa- air ?ux play a crucial role in this endeavor. The current paradigm of micrometeorology builds on two premises: (i) that scale separation exists so that the microscale phenomena can be treated more or less in isolation of phenomena occurring at larger scales, and (ii) that these phenomena are in?uenced by the surface to such an extent that “external factors” can be ignored. Quantitative studies have been based on the assumption of horizontal homogeneity, which inevitably biases the investigation toward over-idealization of the real world by restricting it to perfectly ?at topography and daytime, fair weather conditions. This bias was noted by John Philip 40 years ago: “Experimenters attempt to avoid [advection] by working on sites downwind of extensive ‘homogeneous’ areas. Sometimes advection is invoked to explain otherwise inexplicable observations...” (J. Meteorol. 16, 535).

This book is filled with didactic elements such as exercises, charts and case study examples. It introduces a set of fundamental equations that govern the conservation of mass (dry air, water vapor, trace gases), momentum and energy in the lower atmosphere. It offers students an up-to-date literature overview and introduces theory to a field that is mostly empirical in nature. Dedicated to undergraduate or graduate students in atmospheric sciences and meteorology, this textbook compels students about the importance of the subject and its application. Simplifications of each of the equations are made in the context of boundary-layer processes. Extended from these equations the author then discusses a set of issues fundamental to boundary layer meteorology, including (1) turbulence generation and destruction, (2) force balance in various portions of the lower atmosphere, (3) canopy flow, (4) tracer diffusion and footprint theory, (5) principles of flux measurement and interpretation, (6) models for land evaporation, (7) models for surface temperature response to land use change, and (8) boundary layer budget calculations for heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide. This second edition is enhanced with new materials on the marine boundary layer and on three contemporary topics: the urban boundary layer, the polluted boundary layer and the cloudy boundary layer in a changing climate. Problem sets are supplied at the end of each chapter to reinforce the concepts and theory presented in the main text. This volume offers the accumulation of insights gained by the author during his academic career as a researcher and teacher in the field of boundary-layer meteorology

This second edition is enhanced with new materials on the marine boundary layer and on three contemporary topics: the urban boundary layer, the polluted boundary layer and the cloudy boundary layer in a changing climate.

This textbook introduces a set of fundamental equations that govern the conservation of mass (dry air, water vapor, trace gas), momentum and energy in the lower atmosphere. Simplifications of each of these equations are made in the context of boundary-layer processes. Extended from these equations the author then discusses a key set of issues, including (1) turbulence generation and destruction, (2) force balances in various portions of the lower atmosphere, (3) canopy flow, (4) tracer diffusion and footprint theory, (5) principles of flux measurement and interpretation, (6) models for land evaporation, (7) models for surface temperature response to land use change, and (8) boundary layer budget calculations for heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide. Problem sets are supplied at the end of each chapter to reinforce the concepts and theory presented in the main text. This volume offers the accumulation of insights gained by the author during his academic career as a researcher and teacher in the field of boundary-layer meteorology.