Atmospheric Electricity in the Real World

Anderson, R. V.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-85294-7_13

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…where s s is the conductivity of air in the surface layer having a height scale k. k is expected to be somewhat dependent on the climatology of the site concerned, as shallow surface layers have the least effect on R c and well-mixed deep layers appreciably affect R c (Anderson, 1977). At the relatively polluted Met Office site at Kew Observatory, near London, where long-term measurements of atmospheric electrical parameters were made, k $ 268 m, R FT =93 PO m 2 and R c =137 PO m 2 (Harrison and Bennett, 2007).…”

Section: Surface Contributions To the Columnar Resistancementioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric electricity coupling between earthquake regions and the ionosphere

Harrison

Aplin

Rycroft

2010

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

159

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a b s t r a c tWe propose a mechanism to explain suggested links between seismic activity and ionospheric changes detected overhead. Specifically, we explain changes in the natural extremely low-frequency (ELF) radio noise recently observed in the topside ionosphere aboard the DEMETER satellite at night, before major earthquakes. Our mechanism utilises increased electrical conductivity of surface layer air before a major earthquake, which reduces the surface-ionosphere electrical resistance. This increases the vertical fair weather current, and (to maintain continuity of electron flow) lowers the ionosphere. Magnitudes of crucial parameters are estimated and found to be consistent with observations. Natural variability in ionospheric and atmospheric electrical properties is evaluated, and may be overcome using a hybrid detection approach. Suggested experiments to investigate the mechanism involve measuring the cut-off frequency of ELF ''tweeks'', the amplitude and phase of very low frequency radio waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, or medium frequency radar, incoherent scatter or rocket studies of the lower ionospheric electron density.

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Section: Surface Contributions To the Columnar Resistancementioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric electricity coupling between earthquake regions and the ionosphere

Harrison

Aplin

Rycroft

2010

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

159

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“…Previous records show that a similar response of potential gradient was reported by Markson and Kamra [1971], Lane-Smith and Markson [1976], and by Srivastava et al [1982] in their studies of total solar eclipse events. However, in view of some different views on the behavior of potential gradient in a fog environment, comments presented by Anderson [1976] need due consideration.…”

Section: Results and Discussion Pertaining To Eclipse Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potential the best of conditions the radioactive probe is described [Anderson, 1976] to indicate the integral of the potential gradient from the surface to the 1.0-m height; we reckon the potential measured at 1.0 m as the potential gradient at 1 m and not at the ground surface [Lane-Smith and Markson, 1976; Kamra, 1982;Kamra et al, 1982]. The fair weather polarity of the potential and potential gradient has been taken as positive in the present study.…”

Section: Measurements Of Surface Atmospheric Electricmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A total solar eclipse (TSE) offers an mfique opportunity tbr the plaxming of experiments in atmospheric electricity and boundary layer studies. This is evident from the voluminous reports [Kawano and Nakatani, 1958;Markson and Kamra, 1971;Anderson and Dolezalek, 1972;Anderson, 1972Anderson, , 1976Dolezalek, 1972; Lane-Smith and Markson, 1976;Antonia et al, 1979;Retalis, 1981;Srivastava et al, 1982;Selvam et al, 1983;Manohar et al, 1985] of the major solar eclipse experiments in the past. From the foresaid reports, two points of view are inferable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Impact of a total solar eclipse on surface atmospheric electricity

Manohar¹,

Kandalgaonkar²,

Kulkarni³

1995

J. Geophys. Res.

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A study of the impact of a total solar eclipse (TSE) on surface atmospheric electricity was made using observations of surface electrical potential gradient, conductivity, and boundary layer parameters recorded during the TSE of February 16, 1980, and on a control day at Raichur. The study showed that with the progressing of the eclipse, as a consequence of inhibited convection, the responses of turbulent mixing in the boundary layer near the ground exhibited diminution and subsequent restoration, respectively. During the next 45 min after the totality, when the surface layer remained stably stratified, the diminution in the potential gradient and the increase in the conductivity was maximum; this was about 60% and 200%, respectively, of their corresponding control day values. This result is in very good agreement with most earlier studies of solar eclipses. The study of the impact of the TSE during 3–4 hours of posteclipse showed significant cooling (∼3°C) of the entire surface air layer and a considerable drop in wind speed over the stretch (1130 km×120 km) of the totality‐occupied land region. This significant and systematic phenomenon was responsible for setting up a land‐sea breezelike circulation, that is, subsidence/downward air motion over the totality‐occupied land region and upward over the noneclipsed land across the totality stretch. This resulted in a considerable aerosol‐induced reduction in conductivity and about 5 to 8 times increase in potential gradient during the 3–4 hours of posteclipse. This response of the atmospheric electricity parameters was unlike that observed on the normal days.

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“…The majority of atmospheric processes are subject to the mutual influence, and it is almost impossible to study a certain phenomenon separately or single out one or two dominant phenomena. Indeed, the dynamic and frequency ranges of variation in the aeroelectric field depend on the presence of thunderclouds or low cloudiness, precipitation, fog, aerosol and ion pollution, and turbulent and convective flows [2,3]. An introduction of the notion of fair-weather conditions in atmospheric electricity is an attempt to normalize or reduce the influence of local processes of charge transfer and separation when performing aeroelectric observations and making theoretical estimations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of coupling of aeroelectric and temperature fields in the lower atmosphere

Anisimov

Mareev

Shikhova

2006

Radiophys Quantum Electron

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at the measuring facility of the mid-latitude geophysical observatory "Borok" (Yaroslavsl' Region, Russia), we conclude that correlative relations exist between the aeroelectric-field intensity E and the air temperature T in the atmospheric surface layer. We reveal positive correlation between the temperature and electric-field variations under conditions of unstable stratification (late morning-day) and negative correlation under stable stratification (late evening-night). A simultaneous increase in the amplitude of pulsations of the electric field and the temperature occurs most frequently near the local midday. Intense variations in the electric field correspond to variations in the temperature field with a close time period. A positive temporal shift of variations in E with respect to variations in T , which reaches 40 min, is observed during enhanced temperature activity. The structure-temporal analysis of experimental data from remote sensing of the temperature and electric-field variations at five points is performed. We find simultaneous aeroelectric and temperature coherent structures accompanied by short-period pulsations of the field intensity and the air temperature in the atmospheric surface layer.We discuss possible mechanisms of coupling of the aeroelectric-field intensity and the atmospheric air temperature to describe their positive correlation under conditions of unstable stratification (late morning-day) and negative correlation in the late evening and at night. Enhancement of electric activity, which is stipulated by the intensification of turbulent convection and the formation of aeroelectric structures, seems the most significant process. With allowance for nonlocality of the electric field, this process can in particular explain a substantial lead of the aeroelectric-field perturbations compared with the correlated positive temperature perturbations. In this case, the formation of warm "quasi-front," which is accompanied by the lifting of the nearsurface air abundant in moisture and charged particles to the higher atmospheric layers, can play an important role. Other mechanisms of the field-temperature coupling take into account a decrease in the conductivity of near-surface air due to the condensation of water vapor during its cooling, as well as an increase in the mobility of light ions with increasing air temperature.

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Atmospheric Electricity in the Real World

Cited by 13 publications

References 55 publications

Atmospheric electricity coupling between earthquake regions and the ionosphere

Atmospheric electricity coupling between earthquake regions and the ionosphere

Impact of a total solar eclipse on surface atmospheric electricity

Mechanisms of coupling of aeroelectric and temperature fields in the lower atmosphere

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