Title: Surface energy balance: analysis of the parameterisation of the ground heat flux

Authors: P. Tercier, P. Muhlemann, R. Stubi, A. Chassot

Addresses: Environmental Meteorology, Swiss Meteorological Institute, CH-1530 Payerne, Switzerland. ' Geographical Institute, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. ' Environmental Meteorology, Swiss Meteorological Institute, CH-1530 Payerne, Switzerland. ' Environmental Meteorology, Swiss Meteorological Institute, CH-1530 Payerne, Switzerland

Abstract: The parameterisation of the surface energy balance in short-range dispersion models is currently receiving increased attention. Most of the current treatments rely on adaptations of the original schemes of Van Ulden and Holtslag, and Berkovicz and Prahm. These parameterisations are based on conventional meteorological network measurements of e.g. wind, temperature and humidity. The ground heat flux is expressed as a constant fraction of the net radiation, as is the sensible heat flux. An alternative approach relates the ground heat flux to the temperature gradient within the soil. These schemes are compared with direct measurements. The aim is to test their ability to simulate the daily heat-flux cycle under various meteorological conditions.

Keywords: ground heat flux; model evaluation; surface energy balance; atmospheric dispersion models; air pollution; environmental pollution; modelling; soil temperature gradient.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1997.028196

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1997 Vol.8 No.3/4/5/6, pp.449 - 456

Published online: 15 Sep 2009 *

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