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The Earth's Electrical Environment (1986) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 155-158

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From page 155...
... PHENOMENOLOGY OF ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY IN THE PLANETARY BOUNDARY LAYER Hi Although typical average values are often cited for atmospheric-electrical observables, the greatest interest and significance by far has been attached to variations with time over a broad range of time scales. There have ~ been studies of atmospheric-electrical variations with 2 annual and even 11-yr periodicities; short-period fluc tuations have also received some attention in the past, and they are currently a subject of renewed interest, as will be discussed later.
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From page 156...
... It is commonly derived from a measured vertical profile of atmospheric conductivity, and it is observed that most of this resistance lies within the PBL. The validity of this is seen in Figure 11.7, ~ : A: 1 1 1 1 1 1 ~K · ~: 4 8 12 16 20 24 4 8 EDT HOURS FIGURE 11.7 Average diurnal variation in columnar resistance as a function of local time (from Sagalyn and Faucher, 1956~.
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From page 157...
... Significant instances include the effect of organ tL FIGURE 11.9 Records of the potential gradient (F) , air-earth current density (1)
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From page 158...
... Profiles have been made over land because of convenience and to study specific terrain effects and over water in attempts to eliminate land effects. Profile data have been responsible for the detection of convection currents in the PBL comparable in magnitude with the total current, the classical electrode effect over water under stable conditions, the response of columnar resistance to pollutant buildup, and the classical diurnal variation in ionospheric potential.
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Key Terms

  • earth current
  • electric field
  • atmospheric conductivity
  • boundary layer
  • planetary boundary

  • global circuit
  • electrode effect
  • columnar resistance
  • atmospheric electricity
  • ionospheric potential

  • diurnal variation
  • potential gradient
  • average diurnal
  • turbulent mixing
  • current density

  • daily variation
  • total current
  • total potential
  • entire pbl
  • classical electrode

  • shallow layer
  • earth cur


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