The
IIHR hydrometeorology team has developed a micrometeorology laboratory
containing a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment used to make
measurements of turbulence and energy partitioning near the earth's
surface. These measurements can be used to study turbulence,
evaporation, pollution emission rates or transport.
 |
| Figure
1. Setting up eddy correlation equipment in Amana Iowa. |
The equipment in the
laboratory includes several three dimensional sonic anemometers, and
eddy correlation setups as well as temperature humidity probes,
propeller anemometers, and high resolution hot wire anemometers. The
radiative balance can be measured with WMO calibrated upwelling and
downwelling, long wave and short wave radiometers. Soil bulk
temperature, skin temperature, heat flux and water content can be
measured with a variety of instruments. The laboratory is supplemented
by instruments capable of measuring trace concentrations of certain
molecules (for example, carbon monoxide and ozone). A capability for
eddy correlation measurements of trace chemical compounds is currently
under development.
 |
| Figure
2. Meteorological instrument array used in the CASES-99
experiment, Wichita, Kansas. |
|
The
micrometeorology laboratory is associated with the hydrometeorology
laboratory. This mobile laboratory makes it possible to set up virtually
anywhere, maximizing the uses to which the instruments can be put. As
can be seen in the photographs, the instruments have been used in a wide
variety of field experiments.
All of the instruments
can be logged to standard data loggers or entirely computer controlled
through the use of various cards in a standard PC. This enables high
speed transfer, storage, and display of the data. The instruments can be
operated remotely and using preprogrammed instructions which require an
operator only to start.
More Information
For more information
about the IIHR micrometeorology laboratory or atmospheric dynamics,
please contact Prof.
Bill Eichinger.
 |
| Figure
3. One of the Met Towers set up for an experiment in the Bosque
Del Apache, New Mexico. |
|
