Evaluation of Atmosphere–Land Interactions in an LES from the Perspective of Heterogeneity Propagation

Atmosphere–land interactions simulated by an LES model are evaluated from the perspective of heterogeneity propagation by comparison with airborne measurements. It is found that the footprints of surface heterogeneity, though as 2D patterns can be dissipated quickly due to turbulent mixing, as 1D projections can persist and propagate to the top of the atmospheric boundary layer. Direct comparison and length scale analysis show that the simulated heterogeneity patterns are comparable to the observation. The results highlight the model＇s capability in simulating the complex effects of surface heterogeneity on atmosphere–land interactions.

Analysis on the Interaction between Turbulence and Secondary Circulation of the Surface Layer at Jinta Oasis in Summer

The kinetic energy variations of mean flow and turbulence at three levels in the surface layer were calculated by using eddy covariance data from observations at Jinta oasis in 2005 summer. It is found that when the mean horizontal flow was stronger, the turbulent kinetic energy was increased at all levels, as well as the downward mean wind at the middle level. Since the mean vertical flow on the top and bottom were both negligible at that time, there was a secondary circulation with convergence in the upper half and divergence in the lower half of the column. After consideration of energy conversion, it was found that the interaction between turbulence and the secondary circulation caused the intensification of each other. The interaction reflected positive feedback between turbulence and the vertical shear of the mean flow. Turbulent sensible and latent heat flux anomaly were also analyzed. The results show that in both daytime and at night, when the surface layer turbulence was intensified as a result of strengthened mean flow, the sensible heat flux was decreased while the latent heat flux was increased. Both anomalous fluxes contributed to the cold island effect and the moisture island effect of the oasis.

Review of heterogeneous photochemical reactions of NOy on aerosol-A possible daytime source of nitrous acid (HONO) in the atmosphere

As an important precursor of hydroxyl radical, nitrous acid （HONO） plays a key role in the chemistry of the lower atmosphere. Recent atmospheric measurements and model calculations show strong enhancement for HONO formation during daytime, while they are inconsistent with the known sources in the atmosphere, suggesting that current models are lacking important sources for HONO. In this article, heterogeneous photochemical reactions of nitric acid/nitrate anion and nitrogen oxide on various aerosols were reviewed and their potential contribution to HONO formation was also discussed. It is demonstrated that HONO can be formed by photochemical reaction on surfaces with deposited HNO3 , by photocatalytic reaction of NO2 on TiO2 or TiO2 -containing materials, and by photochemical reaction of NO2 on soot, humic acids or other photosensitized organic surfaces. Although significant uncertainties still exist in the exact mechanisms and the yield of HONO, these additional sources might explain daytime observations in the atmosphere.