Characteristics and interactions of fluctuation velocities, saltation mass flux, and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer

Abstract

The essence of wind-blown sand movement is a particle movement system driven by high Reynolds number wall turbulence in the atmospheric surface layer (ASL). Understanding this phenomenon is crucial as the law and mechanism of sand movement have not been effectively revealed at present. In this study, we utilize the high-frequency time series data from the Oceano site, a renowned location for such studies, which includes streamwise wind velocity (u), wall-normal wind velocity (w), temperature (T), and total saltation mass flux (q) to delve deeper into wind-blown sand movement. The results indicate a positive correlation between T and w. Interestingly, this correlation not only escalates with height but also intensifies with the increase of the stratification stability parameters (z/L). Sand influences the intensity ratio of each quadrant to Reynolds stress without altering the time ratio. Both the ejection and sweep processes correlate well with z/L. Similarly, q also exhibits a good correlation with z/L. The buoyancy's impact on the low-frequency fluctuations of q might be through its effect on the low-frequency fluctuations of w, enhancing the sand transport capacity of w. This discovery holds profound implications for the study of two-phase flow in ASL and the precise prediction of surface sediment transport.