Test of Scintillometer Saturation Correction Methods Using Field Experimental Data

J. Kleissl; O. K. Hartogensis; J. D. Gomez

doi:10.1007/s10546-010-9540-x

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Test of Scintillometer Saturation Correction Methods Using Field Experimental Data

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Test of Scintillometer Saturation Correction Methods Using Field Experimental Data

J. Kleissl, O. K. Hartogensis and J. D. Gomez

Boundary-layer meteorology, Vol.137(3), pp.493-507

12/01/2010

DOI: 10.1007/s10546-010-9540-x

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Abstract

Saturation of large aperture scintillometer (LAS) signals can result in sensible heat flux measurements that are biased low. A field study with LASs of different aperture sizes and path lengths was performed to investigate the onset of, and corrections for, signal saturation. Saturation already occurs at C-n(2) approximate to 0.074 D-5/3 lambda L-1/3(-8/3), where C-n(2) is the structure parameter of the refractive index, D is the aperture size, lambda is the wavelength, L is the transect length, which is smaller than theoretically derived saturation limits. At a transect length of 1 km, a height of 2.5 m, and aperture approximate to 0.15 m the correction factor exceeds 5% already at C-n(2)=2 x 10(-12)m(-2/3), which will affect many practical applications of scintillometry. The Clifford correction method, which only depends on C-n(2) and the transect geometry, provides good saturation corrections over the range of conditions observed in our study. The saturation correction proposed by Ochs and Hill results in correction factors that are too small in large saturation regimes. An inner length scale dependence of the saturation correction factor was not observed. Thus for practical applications the Clifford correction method should be applied.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Test of Scintillometer Saturation Correction Methods Using Field Experimental Data
Creators: J. Kleissl - University of California System
O. K. Hartogensis - Wageningen University & Research
J. D. Gomez - New Mexico Inst Min & Technol, Dept Earth & Environm Sci, Socorro, NM 87801 USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Boundary-layer meteorology, Vol.137(3), pp.493-507
DOI: 10.1007/s10546-010-9540-x
ISSN: 0006-8314
eISSN: 1573-1472
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 15
Grant note: Q01112 / NMSU-WRRI, UC San Diego 06HQGR0187 / USGS-NIWR; United States Geological Survey
Language: English
Date published: 12/01/2010
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984962625602771

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