Collaborative Research: The Diurnal Evolution of Stable Boundary Layers in an Enclosed Basin

一项为期三年的气象研究计划将调查亚利桑那州流星陨石坑封闭盆地夜间稳定边界层(SBL)的日发展。2006年10月，国家科学基金资助下的首席调查员在那里收集了大量数据。在这个小型的圆形综合仪器实验池中的实验设计与实验室实验有相似之处。实地活动提供了一个独特的数据集，特别适合支持创新分析，以回答关于地形学中SBL演化的现有科学问题。这项研究的目的是确定在封闭盆地中导致SBL演变的物理过程，目的是确定排水流、湍流、辐射传输和更大尺度的环境流在SBL演变中的作用。新颖和创新的概念具有分析和建模的特点，其依据是现场经验和绩效指标的初步分析。当盆地侧壁发生差异日晒时，PI将对过渡期间的SBL不对称性进行第一次全面调查。将对假设进行测试，以确定陨石坑中不寻常的SBL热结构演变的原因。地形放大系数的概念将首次用观测数据进行检验。对斜率流、辐射输送和感热通量在SBL发展中的相对作用进行诊断。建立了流域自致绝热停流的解析模型。将对盆地的底部、侧壁和边缘以及周围平原的湍流特性进行探索性研究。智力价值：这项研究将促进对影响复杂地形中SBL的物理过程的了解和理解，这些知识预计将导致模型的改进，并最终改进美国西部和世界各地的天气预报。这项工作探索了创新的方法和概念，并结合分析和数值模拟来获得理解。来自其他机构和国家的单独资助的合作者将为这项研究做出贡献。更广泛的影响：通过更好地了解SBL的演变及其在空气污染扩散、一般和火灾天气预报以及气候方面的潜在应用，将为社会带来潜在的好处。通过将研究融入大学教学，支持本科生和研究生，促进调查员/学生多样性，以及发展培训课程、讲习班和研讨会，促进了更广泛的社会影响。项目成果将通过同行评议的科学出版物、教学单元、科学介绍和网站广泛传播。

A three-year meteorological research program will be conducted to investigate the diurnal development of the nocturnal stable boundary layer (SBL) in the closed basin of Arizona's Meteor Crater. An extensive data set was collected there by the Principal Investigators (PIs) under NSF funding during October 2006. The experimental design in this small, circular, and comprehensively instrumented experimental basin has parallels to laboratory experiments. The field campaign provided a data set uniquely suited to support innovative analyses to answer extant scientific questions about SBL evolution within topography. The goal of the research is to determine the physical processes leading to SBL evolution in a closed basin, with the objectives of identifying the roles of drainage flows, turbulence, radiative transfer, and larger-scale ambient flows in SBL evolution. Novel and innovative concepts are featured with analyses and modeling informed by field experience and the PIs' initial analyses. The PIs will perform the first comprehensive investigation of SBL asymmetries during the transition periods when differential insolation occurs on the basin sidewalls. Hypotheses will be tested to determine the cause of unusual SBL thermal structure evolution in the crater. The topographic amplification factor concept will be tested for the first time with observational data. The relative roles of slope flows, radiative transfer and sensible heat flux in SBL development will be diagnosed. An analytical model of self-induced katabatic flow shutdown in basins will be developed. Exploratory investigations of turbulence characteristics will be made for the floor, sidewalls, and rim of a basin, as well as over the surrounding plain. Intellectual Merit: The research will advance knowledge and understanding of the physical processes that affect SBLs in complex terrain, and this knowledge is expected to lead to improvements in models and, ultimately, in weather forecasts for the western U.S. and throughout the world. The work explores innovative approaches and concepts and uses a combination of analyses and numerical modeling to gain understanding. Separately funded collaborators from other institutions and countries will contribute to the research. Broader Impacts: Potential benefits to society will accrue through improved understanding of SBL evolution with potential applications for air pollution dispersion, general and fire weather forecasting, and climate. Broader societal impacts are promoted through the infusion of the research into university teaching, the support of undergraduate and graduate students, the promotion of investigator/student diversity, and the development of training courses, workshops and seminars. Project results will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific publications, teaching modules, scientific presentations and web sites.