Observations of Turbulent Heat Fluxes Variability in a Semiarid Coastal Lagoon (Gulf of California)

Lidia Irene Benítez-Valenzuela,Zulia Mayari Sanchez-Mejia

doi:10.3390/atmos11060626

Lidia Irene Benítez-Valenzuela, Zulia Mayari Sanchez-Mejia

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11060626

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Journal: Atmosphere	Publication Date: Jun 13, 2020
Citations: 4	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Sonora Institute of Technology

Abstract

Despite the critical role latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat play in turbulent processes and heat exchange in the water–air interface, there is a lack of studies of turbulent fluxes over the surface in semiarid regions. We collected continuous measurements of net radiation (Rn), LE, H, and micrometeorological data at a coastal lagoon in the Gulf of California during 2019 with an eddy covariance (EC) system. We analyzed the time series, considering the North American Monsoon System, the pre-monsoon, and post-monsoon season. Results show that Rn (276 ± 118 W m−2) and turbulent fluxes were higher during the monsoon season (July–September) LE (129 ± 18 W m−2), and H (29 ± 9 W m−2). The monthly average of Rn, LE, and H was highest in June (493.9 W m−2), August (142 W m−2), and May (50 W m−2), respectively. Furthermore, during the monsoon season, the (H + LE)/Rn ratio (0.74) suggests that more than half of the Rn reaching the coastal lagoon is used for the turbulent exchange of LE and H. During the pre-monsoon, LE (r2 = 0.36) increases with a higher vapor pressure deficit (VPD), while H (r2 = 0.66) increases with a higher friction velocity (u*) during the monsoon season. Quantitative observations are essential for further research.

Highlights

IntroductionWater bodies, such as lagoons (i.e., inland and coastal), play an essential role in the energy balance and heat exchange to the atmosphere [1,2]
Water bodies, such as lagoons, play an essential role in the energy balance and heat exchange to the atmosphere [1,2]
The objective of this work is to analyze the variability in a one-year-long dataset, to better understand the net radiation (Rn), latent (LE), and sensible (H) heat of a semiarid coastal lagoon influenced by the North American monsoon

Summary

Introduction

Water bodies, such as lagoons (i.e., inland and coastal), play an essential role in the energy balance and heat exchange to the atmosphere [1,2]. The exchange of latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) along with momentum influences turbulence processes and the development of the ABL [3]. LE links the energy budget and water cycle, providing half of the atmosphere’s energy via water vapor [1]. The study of these turbulent fluxes above water surfaces is not new to the scientific community [4,5,6]; few studies have aimed to understand these processes in coastal lagoons, especially in a semiarid region. Over the ocean and coastal surfaces, both fluxes tend to increase with a rise in wind speed [7,8]. More common than not, LE flux is observed as heat loss by evaporation than gain by condensation [9]

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