Mass-based depth and velocity scales for gravity currents and related flows

Gravity driven flows on inclines can be caused by cold, saline or turbid inflows into water bodies. Another example are cold downslope winds, which are caused by cooling of the atmosphere at the lower boundary. In a well-known contribution, Ellison and Turner (ET) investigated such flows by making use of earlier work on free shear flows by Morton, Taylor and Turner (MTT). Their entrainment relation is compared here with a spread relation based on a diffusion model for jets by Prandtl. This diffusion approach is suitable for forced plumes on an incline, but only when the channel topography is uniform, and the flow remains supercritical. A second aspect considered here is that the structure of ET’s entrainment relation, and their shallow water equations, agrees with the one for open channel flows, but their depth and velocity scales are those for free shear flows, and derived from the velocity field. Conversely, the depth of an open channel flow is the vertical extent of the excess mass of the liquid phase, and the average velocity is the (known) discharge divided by the depth. As an alternative to ET’s parameterization, two sets of flow scales similar to those of open channel flows are outlined for gravity currents in unstratified environments. The common feature of the two sets is that the velocity scale is derived by dividing the buoyancy flux by the excess pressure at the bottom. The difference between them is the way the volume flux is accounted for, which—unlike in open channel flows—generally increases in the streamwise direction. The relations between the three sets of scales are established here for gravity currents by allowing for a constant co-flow in the upper layer. The actual ratios of the three width, velocity, and buoyancy scales are evaluated from available experimental data on gravity currents, and from field data on katabatic winds. A corresponding study for free shear flows is referred to. Finally, a comparison of mass-based scales with a number of other flow scales is carried out for available data on a two-layer flow over an obstacle. Mass-based flow scales can also be used for other types of flows, such as self-aerated flows on spillways, water jets in air, or bubble plumes.     

Turbulence Perturbations in the Neutrally Stratified Surface Layer due to the Interaction of a Katabatic Flow with a Steep Ridge

Turbulence measurements were performed in Antarctica, on the Nansen Ice Sheet, dominated by westerly katabatic winds. The measurements were taken at two sites aligned with the katabatic wind fall-line. The measuring stations were located in the middle of a wide, flat iced area at a distance of 14 km from the base of a sloping surface and at the top of a steep ridge (Inexpressible Island). The aim was to investigate the perturbation of turbulence close to the ground generated by the interaction of the flow with the ridge. We present an analysis comparing the data measured at the upstream unperturbed station with those at the top of the obstacle. Moments and spectra of velocity components have been calculated for almost steady periods. The topography and roughness change produce a combined effect on the flow acceleration (of the opposite sign) and on the turbulent stresses (of the same sign). Spectra of velocity components measured at the top of the ridge and scaled by unperturbed quantities evidence an increment of energy in the high frequency subrange with respect to the up-stream flow. Moreover, the horizontal velocity components display a shift in turbulence maximum towards higher frequencies. The vertical velocity spectrum exhibits an energy increment at low frequencies with respect to the upstream spectrum.     

Aeolian erosion of storage piles yards: contribution of the surrounding areas

Dust emissions from stockpiles surfaces are often estimated applying mathematical models such as the widely used model proposed by the USEPA. It employs specific emission factors, which are based on the fluid flow patterns over the near surface. But, some of the emitted dust particles settle downstream the pile and can usually be re-emitted which creates a secondary source. The emission from the ground surface around a pile is actually not accounted for by the USEPA model but the method, based on the wind exposure and a reconstruction from different sources defined by the same wind exposure, is relevant. This work aims to quantify the contribution of dust re-emission from the areas surrounding the piles in the total emission of an open storage yard. Three angles of incidence of the incoming wind flow are investigated ( $30^{\circ }, 60^{\circ }$ and $90^{\circ }$ ). Results of friction velocity from numerical modelling of fluid dynamics were used in the USEPA model to determine dust emission. It was found that as the wind velocity increases, the contribution of particles re-emission from the ground area around the pile in the total emission also increases. The dust emission from the pile surface is higher for piles oriented $30^{\circ }$ to the wind direction. On the other hand, considering the ground area around the pile, the $60^{\circ }$ configuration is responsible for higher emission rates (up to 67 %). The global emissions assumed a minimum value for the piles oriented perpendicular to the wind direction for all wind velocity investigated.     

不同农作制对四川紫色丘陵区地表径流氮、磷流失的影响

以小麦(Triticum aestivum)-玉米(Zea mays)轮作制为基础,通过在仁寿县建立18个径流小区监测试验,对4种不同农作制与4种施肥水平下各小区径流水样中的氮、磷含量进行了分析.探讨了四川紫色丘陵区坡耕地氮、磷流失系数及其影响因素.结果表明,氮流失总量随施氮量而增加,在增量施肥+横坡种植方式下最大,为0.326 kg·hm~(-2);氮流失总量和流失系数在优化施肥+横坡种植+秸秆覆盖+植物篱方式下最小,其流失总量为0.270kg·hm~(-2),流失系数为0.009%0磷流失总量和流失系数在不同处理方式下总体上虽较为接近,但增量施肥+横坡种植方式下磷的流失总量最大,为0.020kg·hm~(-2);而优化施肥+横坡种植+秸秆覆盖+植物篱最小,为0.015kg·hm~(-2).研究表明,优化施肥、横坡种植、秸秆覆盖和植物篱拦蓄地表径流作用明显,是遏制耕地氮、磷流失的有效途径.     

A mathematical model for type II profile of concentration distribution in turbulent flows

This paper presents a mathematical model to investigate type II profile of suspension concentration distribution (i.e., the concentration profile where the maximum concentration appears at some distance above the bed surface) in a steady, uniform turbulent flow through open-channels. Starting from the mass and momentum conservation equations of two-phase flow, a theoretical model has been derived. The distribution equation is derived considering the effects of fluid lift force, drag force, particle inertia, particle–particle interactions, particle velocity fluctuations and drift diffusion. The equation is solved numerically and is compared with available experimental data as well as with other models existing in the literature. Good agreement between the observed value and computed result, and minimum error in comparison to other models indicate that the present model can be applied in predicting particle concentration distribution for type II profile for a wide range of flow conditions. The proposed model is also able to show the transition from type I profile to type II profile.     

A CFD study of wind patterns over a desert dune and the effect on seed dispersion

In the Namib Desert seed distribution is greatly influenced by wind patterns. Existing literature regarding wind patterns over dunes focuses on two-dimensional simulations of flow over simplified dune structures. The three-dimensional geometries of the sand dunes suggests far more complex flow features exist, which are not captured by two-dimensional simulations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to reproduce the three-dimensional near surface wind patterns around a dune with the aim to learn more about seed distribution. Field work included terrain mapping, wind speed, direction and temperature metering. The CFD results show the expected two-dimensional flow features of high pressure at the dune toe, low pressure at the crest and flow acceleration up windward slope. Also observed are some three-dimensional flow features such as a spiral vortex near the crest and transverse flow due to crest-line curvature of the dune. It was also observed how the wall shear stress differs due to the three-dimensional shape of the dune. The wall shear stress suggests that seed accumulation is more likely to occur behind trailing (down-wind) crest edges. Particle tracking showed how seeds tend to move over the dune crest and recirculate towards the crest on the lee-side. The study showed that adding the third dimension makes the simulations more complex, adds to computational requirements and increases simulation time but also provides vital flow information which is not possible with two-dimensional simulations.     

Large-eddy simulation of turbulent flow and dispersion over a complex urban street canyon

Turbulent flow and dispersion characteristics over a complex urban street canyon are investigated by large-eddy simulation using a modified version of the Fire Dynamics Simulator. Two kinds of subgrid scale (SGS) models, the constant coefficient Smagorinsky model and the Vreman model, are assessed. Turbulent statistics, particularly turbulent stresses and wake patterns, are compared between the two SGS models for three different wind directions. We found that while the role of the SGS model is small on average, the local or instantaneous contribution to total stress near the surface or edge of the buildings is not negligible. By yielding a smaller eddy viscosity near solid surfaces, the Vreman model appears to be more appropriate for the simulation of a flow in a complex urban street canyon. Depending on wind direction, wind fields, turbulence statistics, and dispersion patterns show very different characteristics. Particularly, tall buildings near the street canyon predominantly generate turbulence, leading to homogenization of the mean flow inside the street canyon. Furthermore, the release position of pollutants sensitively determines subsequent dispersion characteristics.     

Effects of secondary current and stratification on suspension concentration in an open channel flow

In this work, a mathematical model on concentration distribution is developed for a steady, uniform open channel turbulent flow laden with sediments by incorporating the effect of secondary current through velocity distribution together with the stratification effect due to presence of sediments. The effect of particle-particle interaction at reference level and the effect of incipient motion probability, non-ceasing probability and pick-up probability of the sediment particles at reference concentration are taken into account. The proposed model is compared with the Rouse equation as well as verified with existing experimental data. Good agreement between computed value and experimental data indicates that secondary current influences the suspension of particles significantly. The direction and magnitude (strength) of secondary current lead to different patterns of concentration distribution and theoretical analysis shows that type II profile (where maximum concentration appears at significant height above channel bed surface) always corresponds to upward direction and greater magnitude of secondary current.     

Exchange flow between open water and floating vegetation

This study describes the exchange flow between a region with open water and a region with a partial-depth porous obstruction, which represents the thermally-driven exchange that occurs between open water and floating vegetation. The partial-depth porous obstruction represents the root layer, which does not penetrate to the bed. Initially, a vertical wall separates the two regions, with fluid of higher density in the obstructed region and fluid of lower density in the open region. This density difference represents the influence of differential solar heating due to shading by the vegetation. For a range of root density and root depths, the velocity distribution is measured in the lab using PIV. When the vertical wall is removed, the less dense water flows into the obstructed region at the surface. This surface flow bifurcates into two layers, one flowing directly through the root layer and one flowing beneath the root layer. A flow directed out of the vegetated region occurs at the bed. A model is developed that predicts the flow rates within each layer based on energy considerations. The experiments and model together suggest that at time- and length-scales relevant to the field, the flow structure for any root layer porosity approaches that of a fully blocked layer, for which the exchange flow occurs only beneath the root layer.     

Dye tracing of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum of a red-tide dinoflagellate to surface frontal regions

Rhodamine dye (3701) was injected into a 22-m subsurface chlorophyll maximum of the red-tide forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae var. minimum in the northern Chesapeake Bay (USA) and traced for a sixday period as it spread over a 600 km² area. The precise physical mechanisms, which resulted in the transfer of dye and organisms to the surface, are documented. The major component of the dye and organisms was transported from the central bay into major tributary estuaries via net nontidal flow of bottom waters and surfaced upstream in frontal regions. Once in surface waters, the dye and organisms flowed downriver toward the bay. Due to the three-layer flow of the rivers at this time, the dinoflagellate and the rhodamine re-entered the bay proper at middepth below the fresher Susquehanna plume, thus forming a near-surface chlorophyll maximum (4–6 m) flowing in an opposite direction to the deep subsurface chlorophyll maximum (18–26 m). Current meter arrays verified the opposite flows of these two lenses. The near-surface, southward-flowing lens was followed downstream to an area where the influence of the Susquehanna begins to subside as indicated by isopycnals inclined to the surface. Here the near-surface lens is mixed upward to the surface forming massive red tides (25 000 cells ml^–1) delineated by a frontal region. In addition to the predominant along channel flow, major cross stream Ekman transport and upwelling of dye and organisms was detected in response to wind forcing resulting in localized surface patch formation along the western shore shoaling regions of the bay proper. Thus, annual variations in the locations of surface red tides can be correlated to streamflow and windinduced variations in the locations of frontal regions.     

Weak-wind mesoscale meandering in the nocturnal boundary layer

This study examines the strength and statistical behavior of mesoscale motions on time scales up to 1 h using eight data sets over different surface types. The mesoscale motions include internal gravity waves, microfront-like structures, horizontal modes, and a complex variety of other signatures, perhaps resulting from superposition of different modes. With weak large-scale flow, the mesoscale motions lead to meandering of the wind direction, as found in previous studies. However, the meandering often takes the form of sudden wind shifts rather than oscillation of wind direction. The relative strength and impact of such mesoscale motions are examined in terms of the constancy of the wind vector, the within-record standard deviation of the wind direction and the ratio of a meso-velocity scale to the speed of the large-scale flow. The strength of the mesoscale flow varies by an order of magnitude between nights at a given site and varies systematically between sites. The statistics of the vertical structure of such motions are examined for two of the data sets, both with sonic anemometers at seven levels.     

Evaluation of wind environment around a residential complex using a PIV velocity field measurement technique

Wind-tunnel simulations were employed to evaluate the wind environment around a tested residential area located near industrial complexes. The scaled-down geomorphological model of the test area was placed in the test section of a boundary layer wind tunnel. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements were made in five vertical planes and one horizontal plane around the test area for two prevailing wind directions. The results showed that the wind speed decreased in the near surface layer and the velocity fluctuations increased in the upper region due to the presence of hills and high-rise buildings around the test area. Regions of flow separation and low-speed flow were found inside the test area for both the wind directions. The result suggests that the high-rise buildings should be well arranged with respect to the main wind directions to increase the natural ventilation inside the residential complex at the initial design stage.     

Modelling hydraulic jump using the bubbly two-phase flow method

Hydraulic jumps have complex flow structures, characterised by strong turbulence and large air contents. It is difficult to numerically predict the flows. It is necessary to bolster the existing computer models to emphasise the gas phase in hydraulic jumps, and avoid the pitfall of treating the phenomenon as a single-phase water flow. This paper aims to improve predictions of hydraulic jumps as bubbly two-phase flow. We allow for airflow above the free surface and air mass entrained across it. We use the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations to describe fluid motion, the volume of fluid method to track the interface, and the k–ε model for turbulence closure. A shear layer is shown to form between the bottom jet flow and the upper recirculation flow. The key to success in predicting the jet flow lies in formulating appropriate bottom boundary conditions. The majority of entrained air bubbles are advected downstream through the shear layer. Predictions of the recirculation region’s length and air volume fraction within the layer are validated by available measurements. The predictions show a linear growth of the shear layer. There is strong turbulence at the impingement, and the bulk of the turbulence kinetic energy is advected to the recirculation region via the shear layer. The predicted bottom-shear-stress distribution, with a peak value upstream of the toe of the jump and a decaying trend downstream, is realistic. This paper reveals a significant transient bottom shear stress associated with temporal fluctuations of mainly flow velocity in the jump. The prediction method discussed is useful for modelling hydraulic jumps and advancing the understanding of the complex flow phenomenon.     

Numerical simulations of the effect of building configurations and wind direction on fine particulate matters dispersion in a street canyon

To explore the effect of traffic emissions on air quality within street canyon, the wind flow and pollutant dispersion distribution in urban street canyons of different H/W, building gap and wind direction are studied and discussed by 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 46.4, 37.5, 28.4 µg/m³ when x = ? 88, ? 19.3, ? 19.3 m in 1.5 m above the ground level and the ratio of H/W is 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively. The flow around the top of the building and clearance flow between the buildings in street canyon influence by different H/W, which affected the diffusion of fine particulate matters. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 88.1, 31.6 and 33.7 µg/m³ when x = 148.0, ? 92.3 and ? 186.7 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and the building gap of 0, 20 and 40%, respectively. The air flows are cut by the clearance in the street canyons, and present the segmental characteristics. The largest PM_2.5 concentrations are 10.6, 11.2 and 16.0 µg/m³ when x = 165.3 m, x = 58.0 and 1.5 m above the ground level of 1.5 m height and wind direction of the parallel to the street, perpendicular to the street and southwest, respectively. Modelled PM_2.5 concentrations are basic agreement with measured PM_2.5 concentrations for southwest wind direction. These results can help analyze the difussion of PM_2.5 concentration in street canyons and urban planning.

     

The use of slope and visual information in sandhoppers: innateness and plasticity

Mediterranean sandhoppers of the species Talitrus saltator (Montagu) from the Tyrrhenian population of Burano (Grosseto, Italy) were tested by rearing under different conditions in order to enquire into the innateness and modifiability of orientation with respect to substrate slope and landscape features. Tests were conducted from November 1990 to November 1991. The results were as follows: the sandhoppers responsed to slope only by orienting themselves downslope on dry substrate and upward on a wet one. These responses appeared to be innate but modifiable by experience. Visual dishomogeneity (half horizon covered with a black strip), with a horizontal substrate, elicited an innate orientation towards the black shape, again modifiable by experience. When a black strip was positioned around the upper half of the inclined arena, the sandhoppers responded differently, dependent upon their prior experience: wild individuals responded to the visual stimulus, amphipods reared in optical homogeneity did not make a choice and those reared in conditions identical to those of the test arena responded to slope by orienting downwards and away from the balck strip. With a black strip around the lower half of the inclined arena and with a dry substrate identical responses were shown by wild-caught and laboratory-reared sandhoppers, i.e., downslope and towards the black strip.     

Accounting for the Mesoscale Effects on the Air Pollution in Some Cases of Large Sulfur Pollution in Bulgaria or Northern Greece

The objective of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of the meso-scale dynamic phenomena on the larger scale air pollution characteristics. A limited set of episodes with very large sulphur pollution in Bulgaria or Northern Greece is chosen for the study. A 3D quasi-hydrostatic model of the meso-scale dynamics, based on the Businesque approximation (the formulation of Guthman) is used for the purpose. Some numerical experiments for the Balkan Peninsula are carried out under different background (synoptic) conditions. The simulated flow systems outline the main topography effects, typical for the region, such as slope winds, channelling of the air flows or blocking effects. Numerical simulations of the air pollution transport are also carried out, with and without accounting for the meso-scale deformations of the wind field. The comparison of the air pollution characteristics, obtained in both the cases demonstrates that the underlying surface heterogeneity in some of the synoptic situations may have influence not only on the detailed air pollution field in the region, but also on some larger scale pollution characteristics – the total pollution quantity in the air above the countries, the mean surface concentration, the pollution fluxes trough the country boundaries, dry and wet deposition.     

Filament-Based Atmospheric Dispersion Model to Achieve Short Time-Scale Structure of Odor Plumes

This article presents the theoretical motivation, implementation approach, and example validation results for a computationally efficient plume simulation model, designed to replicate both the short-term time signature and long-term exposure statistics of a chemical plume evolving in a turbulent flow. Within the resulting plume, the odor concentration is intermittent with rapidly changing spatial gradient. The model includes a wind field defined over the region of interest that is continuous, but which varies with location and time in both magnitude and direction. The plume shape takes a time varying sinuous form that is determined by the integrated effect of the wind field. Simulated and field data are compared. The motivation for the development of such a simulation model was the desire to evaluate various strategies for tracing odor plumes to their source, under identical conditions. The performance of such strategies depends in part on the instantaneous response of target receptors; therefore, the sequence of events is of considerable consequence and individual exemplar plume realizations are required. Due to the high number of required simulations, computational efficiency was critically important.     

A Fine-Scale <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>−ε Model for Atmospheric Flow over Heterogeneous Landscapes

A multi-purpose model for small-scale atmospheric flows over heterogeneous landscapes is being developed. The aim of this research is to build a tool able to predict the dynamical (wind, turbulence) and diffusive (gases, particles) fields over landscapes characterised by heterogeneous plant cover. In its present stage of development the model is based on the numerical integration of neutral atmospheric flow equations, using an energy-dissipation closure scheme and over a domain that may include vegetation layers. Three validation cases of the model are presented: (i) response of the airflow to a change in surface roughness; (ii) airflow within and above a horizontally homogeneous plant canopy; (iii) airflow over two complex forest-to-clearing and clearing-to-forest transitions. All simulations provide results in good agreement with the experimental data, except for turbulent kinetic energy just after a clearing-to-forest transition. This result is not surprising for a statistical k– model in a flow region characterised by strong distorsion and intermittent turbulence. However the overall good performance of the model is promising for environmental research at fine scales over heterogeneous landscapes.     

Experimental surface flow visualization and numerical investigation of flow structure around an oblong stockpile

Emission factors are largely used to quantify particle emissions from industrial open storage piles. These factors are based on the knowledge of velocity distribution and flow patterns over the stockpile surface which still requires further research. The aim of the present work is to investigate the airflow characteristics over a single typical oblong pile and in its near-ground surroundings for various wind flow directions. Wind tunnel experiments using an oil-film surface coating technique were carried out for near-wall flow visualization. Numerical simulation results, favorably compared to PIV measurements, were used to allow comparison analysis of flow features. For the stockpile oriented 90° to the wind main direction, typical topology of flow around wall-mounted obstacles were observed, notably a wake zone downstream the pile including two main counter-rotating vortices. Further analysis of numerical wall shear stress distribution and streamlines indicates that two complex three-dimensional vortical flow structures develop downstream the pile. For other incoming wind flow directions (30 and 60°), the flow characteristics over the storage pile greatly differ as a single helical main vortex develops from the pile’s crest. Corresponding high values of wall shear stress are noticed downstream the storage pile. For each configuration studied, downwash and upwash zones are induced by the vortical structures developed. This near-wall flow topology combined with areas of high friction levels may be linked to potential dust emission from the ground surface surrounding industrial stockpiles.     

水中氨氮挥发影响因素探讨

本文介绍了水中氨氮挥发的影响因素。水中氨氮挥发速率常数随水的ｐＨ值和水温升高而增加，水面风速大则常数值也大，大气压高的地区的挥发速率常数小于大气压低者。与蒸馏水体系相比，在实验条件相同时滇胡水中氨氮挥发速率常数小。