The Search for Atmospheric Laminar Channels: Experimental Results and Method Dissemination
Iulian-Alin Roșu,
Dragoș-Constantin Nica,
Cătălin Dumitraș,
Dragoș Chitariu,
Luminița Bibire,
Adrian Stelian Ghenadi,
Valentin-Stelian Dragan,
Maricel Agop
Affiliations
Iulian-Alin Roșu
Faculty of Physics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Dragoș-Constantin Nica
Department of Geography, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Cătălin Dumitraș
Faculty of Machine Manufacturing and Industrial Managements, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Dragoș Chitariu
Faculty of Machine Manufacturing and Industrial Managements, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Luminița Bibire
Department of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Adrian Stelian Ghenadi
Department of Industrial Systems and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, 600115 Bacau, Romania
Valentin-Stelian Dragan
Faculty of Physics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bulevardul Carol I 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Maricel Agop
Department of Physics, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
In this paper, a practical application of theoretical developments found in our previous works is explored in relation to atmospheric lidar data. Multifractal structures, previously named “laminar channels”, have been identified in atmospheric profiles—these exhibit cellular and self-structuring properties, and are spatially ordered across the atmospheric profile. Furthermore, these structures have been connected to the spontaneous emergence of turbulent behavior in the calm atmospheric flow. Calculating the location and occurrence of these channels can help identify features of atmospheric evolution, such as the development of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Employing this theoretical background to atmospheric lidar data, attempts are made to confirm this suggestion and extract information about atmospheric structure and evolution by analyzing turbulent vortex scale dynamics and scale-corresponding Lyapunov exponents that form the basis of identifying the laminar channels in atmospheric lidar profiles. A parameter named “scale laminarity index” is then introduced, which quantifies the relation between vortex scale and chaoticity throughout the profile. Finally, the algorithmic methods employed in this study are described and distributed for future use.
