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The Search for Atmospheric Laminar Channels: Experimental Results and Method Dissemination
Iulian-Alin Roșu1,2, Dragoș-Constantin Nica3, Cătălin Dumitraș4
1Faculty of Physics, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 11, 2022
Summary
This study identifies "laminar channels" in atmospheric lidar data, revealing self-structuring properties linked to turbulence and planetary boundary layer development. These findings offer new insights into atmospheric evolution and dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Geophysics
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Multifractal structures, termed "laminar channels," exhibit self-structuring and spatial ordering in atmospheric profiles.
- These structures have been theoretically linked to the spontaneous emergence of turbulence in atmospheric flows.
- Identifying these channels can aid in understanding atmospheric evolution, including planetary boundary layer (PBL) development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply theoretical multifractal analysis to atmospheric lidar data.
- To confirm the presence and significance of laminar channels in atmospheric profiles.
- To extract information on atmospheric structure and evolution using lidar data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of turbulent vortex scale dynamics and scale-corresponding Lyapunov exponents.
- Identification of laminar channels within atmospheric lidar profiles.
- Introduction and application of a "scale laminarity index" to quantify vortex scale and chaoticity.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of multifractal laminar channels in atmospheric lidar data.
- Demonstration of the link between these structures and atmospheric turbulence.
- Quantification of the relationship between vortex scale and chaoticity using the scale laminarity index.
Conclusions:
- Laminar channels are identifiable features in atmospheric lidar data, reflecting underlying self-structuring and turbulence.
- The scale laminarity index provides a quantitative measure for analyzing atmospheric complexity.
- The developed methods offer a novel approach for studying atmospheric structure and evolution.
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