Representation of the Air Flow in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Air flow can be imagined as a horizontal flow of numerous rotating eddies, a

turbulent vortices of various sizes, with each eddy having 3D components,
including vertical components as well.

The situation looks chaotic, but vertical movement of the components can be
measured from the tower.
 Flux measurements are widely used to estimate Heat, Water
and CO2 exchange, as well as Methane and other Trace Gases

100 Birds fly through 1x1 m2 window each minute, then flux of birds is --
 Eddy Covariance
The eddy covariance (eddy correlation, eddy flux) technique is a prime
atmospheric flux measurement technique to measure and calculate
vertical turbulent fluxes within atmospheric boundary layers

It analyzes high-frequency wind and scalar atmospheric data, and yields

values of fluxes of these properties

The technique is also used extensively for verification and tuning of

global climate models, meso-scale and weather models, complex
biogeochemical and ecological models, and Remote Sensing estimates
from Satellites and Aircraft

The Technique is mathematically complex, and requires significant care

in setting up and processing data

To date, there is no uniform terminology or a single methodology for the

Eddy Covariance Technique, but much effort is being made by Flux
Measurement Networks (e.g., Flux net, Ameriflux, CarboEurope,
Fluxnet Canada, and iLEAPS) to unify the various approaches
Physical meaning of the Eddy Covariance method

At one physical point on the tower, at Time1, Eddy1 moves parcel of air c1
down at the speed w1. Then, at Time2, Eddy2 moves parcel c2 up at the speed
w2. Each parcel has a concentration, Temperature, and Humidity.

If these factors, along with the speed are known, we can determine the flux. For
example, if one knew how many molecules of CO2 went up with eddies at Time
1, and how many CO2 molecules went down with eddies at Time2, at the same
point, one could calculate the vertical flux of water at this point over this time

So, vertical flux can be presented as a covariance of the vertical wind

velocity and the concentration of the entity of interest.
 CO2 Eddy Covariance Flux
In a nutshell, the 3D wind and another variable (usually CO 2
concentration) are decomposed into mean and fluctuating components

The covariance is calculated between the fluctuating component of the

vertical wind and the fluctuating component of CO2 concentration. The
upward flux of CO2 is proportional to the covariance

The area from which the detected eddies originate can be described
probabilistically. Therefore, the area from which the flux of the variable is
measured, is uncertain.

The effect of sensor separation, finite sampling length, sonic path

averaging; as well as other instrumental limitations all lead jointly to
systematic underestimation of covariance results. In order to correct for
these effects spectrum-dependent correction procedures need to be
applied.
 Residence Time
Source=inflow

Removal Rate= outflow

At equilibrium (steady state) inflow = outflow

⎛ Equilibrium Content ⎞
Source = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ Resident Time ⎠

Equilibrium Content = Source * Residence time

A lake has an annual average outflow of 5 M Gallons per Year
(5,000,000 Gal/ Yr) and an annual average content of 10 M Gallons
Estimate the residence time for the lake?

Content
RR =
Resident Time
10
or 5=
Resident Time

10 Mgal
Resident Time = = 2 yr
5 Mgal/yr

If the annual mean inflow into the lake increased to 20 M Gallons/Yr

What would be the new steady state content of the lake?

Steady State Content = Source * Residence time

=20 Mgal/yr*2 yr=40 Mgal
 CFC-12 has an atmospheric lifetime of 100 yrs. In the
1980s the emission rate of CFC-12 was 22 ppt/yr

What emission rate (source) would limit the steady state

atmospheric concentration of CFC-12 to 500 ppt?

Steady State Content = Source * Residence time

or
Steady State Concentration 500 ppt
Emission source = = = 5 ppt/yr
Residence time 100 yr

This is less than 25% of the 1980s emission rate