Improved Understanding of Moist Atmospheric Circulations Through an Effective Static Stability Framework

通过有效的静态稳定性框架加深对潮湿大气环流的理解

• 批准号: 1148594
• 负责人: Paul O'Gorman
• 金额: $ 32.3万
• 依托单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-02-15 至 2017-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1148594&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Improved; Understanding; Moist; Atmospheric; Circulations

This project explores the validity and implications of an effective stability parameter that takes into account the effect of latent heat release on large-scale eddy circulations in the atmosphere. The static stability of the atmosphere is a key factor which influences many aspects of atmospheric circulation, including the size and propagation speed of various kinds of atmospheric wave motions including the baroclinic waves associated with frontal systems, the horizontal size required for atmospheric circulation patterns to be strongly influenced by the Coriolis force, and the strength of the atmospheric greenhouse effect. Furthermore, much of our understanding of the dynamics of the atmosphere is built on dry theories that do not take water vapor and latent heat release into account. Thus the effective stability parameter, developed by the PI in previous research, could potentially allow the dynamical theories developed for dry atmospheres to be applied to the real-world moist atmosphere. The research will examine the application of the effective stability parameter to a variety of topics, including the response of atmospheric circulation to global warming (for example, the expansion of the dry subtropical belts), and the transition of extratropical thermal stratification from control by eddies to control by moist convection alone.In addition to its intellectual merit, the work has broader impacts through the development of a better understanding of the atmospheric response to climate change. Model simulations and recent observations show circulation changes associated with a warming climate which could have an impact on regional climate and water balance, and the work performed here could improve our ability to understand and anticipate these impacts. In addition, the project will support and train a graduate student, thereby developing the scientific workforce in this area. Undergraduate students will also be involved in the research through the MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

该项目探讨了有效稳定参数的有效性和含义，该参数考虑了潜热释放对大气中大规模涡流环流的影响。 大气的静态稳定性是影响大气循环许多方面的关键因素，包括各种大气波运动的大小和传播速度，包括与额叶系统相关的斜压波，大气循环模式所需的水平尺寸是受科里奥利力的强烈影响，以及大气温室效应的强度。 此外，我们对大气动力学的大部分理解都是建立在不考虑水蒸气和潜在热量释放的干理论之上。 因此，由PI在先前的研究中开发的有效稳定性参数可能允许为干燥大气而开发的动力学理论用于现实世界中的潮湿气氛。 该研究将检查有效稳定性参数在各种主题中的应用，包括大气环流对全球变暖的响应（例如，干燥亚热带的扩展）以及通过Eddies从控制中对控制的热热分层的过渡除了其知识分子的优点外，这项工作通过更好地理解对气候变化的大气反应会产生更广泛的影响。 模型模拟和最近的观察结果表明，与温暖气候相关的循环变化可能会对区域气候和水平平衡产生影响，而且这里所做的工作可以提高我们理解和预期这些影响的能力。 此外，该项目将支持和培训研究生，从而在该领域发展科学劳动力。 本科生还将通过MIT本科研究机会计划参与研究。