Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 24015-24052, 2010
www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/24015/2010/
doi:10.5194/acpd-10-24015-2010
© Author(s) 2010. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Where do winds come from? A new theory on how water vapor condensation influences atmospheric pressure and dynamics
A. M. Makarieva1,2, V. G. Gorshkov1,2, D. Sheil3,4, A. D. Nobre5,6, and B.-L. Li2
1Theoretical Physics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, 188300, Gatchina, St. Petersburg, Russia
2XIEG-UCR International Center for Arid Land Ecology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
3Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kabale, Uganda
4Center for International Forestry Research, P.O. Box 0113 BOCBD, Bogor 16000, Indonesia
5Centro de Ciência do Sistema Terrestre INPE, São José dos Campos SP 12227-010, Brazil
6Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus AM 69060-001, Brazil
Abstract
Phase transitions of atmospheric water play a ubiquitous role in the Earth's climate system, but their direct impact on atmospheric dynamics has escaped wide attention. Here we examine and advance a theory as to how condensation influences atmospheric pressure through the mass removal of water from the gas phase with a simultaneous account of the latent heat release. Building from fundamental physical principles we show that condensation is associated with a decline in air pressure in the lower atmosphere. This decline occurs up to a certain height, which ranges from 3 to 4 km for surface temperatures from 10 to 30 °C. We then estimate the horizontal pressure differences associated with water vapor condensation and find that these are comparable in magnitude with the pressure differences driving observed circulation patterns. The water vapor delivered to the atmosphere via evaporation represents a store of potential energy available to accelerate air and thus drive winds. Our estimates suggest that the global mean power at which this potential energy is released by condensation is around one per cent of the global solar power – this is similar to the known stationary dissipative power of general atmospheric circulation. We conclude that condensation and evaporation merit attention as major, if previously overlooked, factors in driving atmospheric dynamics.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 714 KB) Interactive Discussion (Open, 0 Comments) Manuscript under review for ACP
Citation: Makarieva, A. M., Gorshkov, V. G., Sheil, D., Nobre, A. D., and Li, B.-L.: Where do winds come from? A new theory on how water vapor condensation influences atmospheric pressure and dynamics, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 24015-24052, doi:10.5194/acpd-10-24015-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
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NOTA DESTE BLOGGER:
Pesquisas assim é que me levam a um ceticismo localizado sobre a questão da mudança climática ser antropogenicamente provocada. O relatório do IPCC é uma forma de histeria científica que precisa ser denunciado e revisto cum grano salis. E a Grande Mídia precisa fazer jornalismo objetivo não aceitando goela abaixo o que pontificam os cientistas. Especialmente nas teorias sobre a origem e evolução do universo e da vida.
Marcelo Leite, jornalista especial da Folha de São Paulo, um pouco de ceticismo não faz mal a ninguém, e é parte essencial para o avanço da ciência! Ouça o outro lado, mano!
