Electrical sensing of the dynamical structure of the planetary boundary layer

Nicoll, Keri; Harrison, Giles; Silva, Hugo; Salgado, Rui; Melgão, Marta; Bortoli, Daniele

doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.11.009

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The typical space charge within the PBL ranges from around 1 pC m −3 [ 9 , 10 ] to 100 pC m −3 [ 11 ], but this depends on the local aerosol properties and vertical distribution as well as the turbulent state of the lower atmosphere; therefore, there is a variation in space charge with local time of day. For example, the existence of an electrode layer which can form in calm conditions, typically nocturnally, immediately adjacent to the surface, has been shown to contain substantial space charge of several hundred pC m −3 [ 12 ], which disperses by mixing soon after sunrise.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extensive layer clouds in the global electric circuit: their effects on vertical charge distribution and storage

et al. 2020

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A fair-weather electric field has been observed near the Earth's surface for over two centuries. The field is sustained by charge generation in distant disturbed weather regions, through current flow in the global electric circuit. Conventionally, the fair-weather part of the global circuit has disregarded clouds, but extensive layer clouds, important to climate, are widespread globally. Such clouds are not electrically inert, becoming charged at their upper and lower horizontal boundaries from vertical current flow, in a new electrical regime—neither fair nor disturbed weather; hence it is described here as semi-fair weather . Calculations and measurements show the upper cloud boundary charge is usually positive, the cloud interior positive and the lower cloud boundary negative, with the upper charge density larger, but of the same magnitude (∼nC m −2 ) as cloud base. Globally, the total positive charge stored by layer clouds is approximately 10 5 C, which, combined with the positive charge in the atmospheric column above the cloud up to the ionosphere, balances the total negative surface charge of the fair-weather regions. Extensive layer clouds are, therefore, an intrinsic aspect of the global circuit, and the resulting natural charging of their cloud droplets is a fundamental atmospheric feature.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extensive layer clouds in the global electric circuit: their effects on vertical charge distribution and storage

et al. 2020

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“…A response in the charge sensor is apparent at about 800m altitude, probably associated with the top of the atmospheric boundary layer. (Similar fluctuations can provide detailed information on the electrical structure throughout this atmospheric region, Nicoll et al, 2018). Figure 9b shows an example of the complex charge structure commonly observed, although in this case, at the limit of the measurement resolution of the digital system.…”

Section: Electrometer Radiosondesmentioning

confidence: 78%

Measuring electrical properties of the lower troposphere using enhanced meteorological radiosondes

Harrison

2021

Preprint

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Abstract. In atmospheric science, measurements above the surface have long been obtained by carrying instrument packages, radiosondes, aloft using balloons. Whilst occasionally used for research, most radiosondes – around one thousand are released daily – only generate data for routine weather forecasting. If meteorological radiosondes are modified to carry additional sensors, of either mass-produced commercial heritage or designed for a specific scientific application, a wide range of new measurements becomes possible. Development of add-on devices for standard radiosondes, whilst retaining the core meteorological use, is described here. Combining diverse sensors on a single radiosonde helps interpretation of findings, and yields economy of equipment, consumables and effort. A self-configuring system has been developed to allow different sensors to be easily combined, enhancing existing weather balloons and providing an emergency monitoring capability for airborne hazards. This research programme was originally pursued to investigate electrical properties of extensive layer clouds, and has expanded to include a wide range of balloon-carried sensors for solar radiation, cloud, turbulence, volcanic ash, radioactivity and space weather. For the layer cloud charge application, multiple soundings in both hemispheres have established that charging of extensive layer clouds is widespread, and likely to be a global phenomenon. This paper summarises the Christiaan Huygens medal lecture given at the 2021 European Geoscience Union meeting.

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“…A response in the charge sensor is apparent at about 800 m altitude, probably associated with the top of the atmospheric boundary layer. (Similar fluctuations can provide detailed information on the electrical structure throughout this atmospheric region, Nicoll et al, 2018. ) Figure 9b shows an example of the complex charge structure commonly observed, Harrison, 2001Harrison, , 2004 although in this case, at the limit of the measurement resolution of the digital system.…”

Section: Electrometer Radiosondesmentioning

confidence: 90%

Measuring electrical properties of the lower troposphere using enhanced meteorological radiosondes

Harrison

2022

Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst.

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Abstract. In atmospheric science, measurements above the surface have long been obtained by carrying instrument packages, radiosondes, aloft using balloons. Whilst occasionally used for research, most radiosondes – around 1000 are released daily – only generate data for routine weather forecasting. If meteorological radiosondes are modified to carry additional sensors, of either mass-produced commercial heritage or designed for a specific scientific application, a wide range of new measurements becomes possible. A programme to develop add-on devices for standard radiosondes, which retains the core meteorological use, is described here. Combining diverse sensors on a single radiosonde helps interpretation of findings and yields economy of equipment, consumables and effort. A self-configuring system has been developed to allow different sensors to be easily combined, enhancing existing weather balloons and providing an emergency monitoring capability for airborne hazards. This research programme was originally pursued to investigate electrical properties of extensive layer clouds and has expanded to include a wide range of balloon-carried sensors for solar radiation, cloud, turbulence, volcanic ash, radioactivity and space weather. For the cloud charge application, multiple soundings in both hemispheres have established that charging at the boundaries of extensive layer clouds is widespread and likely to be a global phenomenon. This paper summarises the Christiaan Huygens medal lecture given at the 2021 European Geosciences Union meeting.

show abstract

Electrical sensing of the dynamical structure of the planetary boundary layer

Cited by 23 publications

References 56 publications

Extensive layer clouds in the global electric circuit: their effects on vertical charge distribution and storage

Extensive layer clouds in the global electric circuit: their effects on vertical charge distribution and storage

Measuring electrical properties of the lower troposphere using enhanced meteorological radiosondes

Measuring electrical properties of the lower troposphere using enhanced meteorological radiosondes

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