 |
| Titel |
Length and time scales of atmospheric moisture recycling |
| VerfasserIn |
R. J. Ent, H. H. G. Savenije |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| ISSN |
1680-7316
|
| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ; 11, no. 5 ; Nr. 11, no. 5 (2011-03-01), S.1853-1863 |
| Datensatznummer |
250009434
|
| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/acp-11-1853-2011.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
| It is difficult to quantify the degree to which terrestrial
evaporation supports the occurrence of precipitation within a certain
study region (i.e. regional moisture recycling) due to the scale- and
shape-dependence of regional moisture recycling ratios. In this paper
we present a novel approach to quantify the spatial and temporal scale
of moisture recycling, independent of the size and shape of the region
under study. In contrast to previous studies, which essentially used curve
fitting, the scaling laws presented by us follow directly from the
process equation. thus allowing a fair comparison between regions and
seasons. The calculation is based on ERA-Interim reanalysis data
for the period 1999 to 2008. It is shown that in the tropics or in
mountainous terrain the length scale of recycling can be as low as 500
to 2000 km. In temperate climates the length scale is
typically between 3000 to 5000 km whereas it amounts to more
than 7000 km in desert areas. The time scale of recycling
ranges from 3 to 20 days, with the exception of deserts, where
it is much longer. The most distinct seasonal differences can be
observed over the Northern Hemisphere: in winter, moisture recycling
is insignificant, whereas in summer it plays a major role in the
climate. The length and time scales of atmospheric moisture recycling
can be useful metrics to quantify local climatic effects of land use
change. |
| |
|
| Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|