A Note on Scalar-Gradient Sharpening in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer.

ABSTRACT: The scalar front generated by the horizontal self advection of a dipolar vortex through a modest scalar gradient is investigated. This physical scenario is an idealization of the emergence of strong temperature ramps in the stable atmospheric boundary layer. The proposed mechanism is discussed and a two-dimensional analogy is studied in depth using direct numerical simulation. More specifically, the scalar-gradient sharpening is investigated as a function of the Reynolds number. It appears that the process of gradient sharpening at large-eddy scales may be challenging for turbulence-resolving methods applied to the stable-boundary-layer regime.

SUBMITTER: van Hooft JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7242271 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature