Special projects between Bavaria and Georgia
Lab. of Micrometeorology
Universität Bayreuth
Lab. for Environmental Physics
University of Georgia
Systematization of footprint models for practical applications
Footprint modelling is an increasingly used tool in meteorology and environmental sciences. This type of models links source areas near the surface to measuring points or regions in the lower portion of the atmosphere influenced by source areas upwind. This topic is of paramount importance in upscaling point gaseous concentration and flux measurements to a larger upwind source area; in data quality analysis of, for instance, the worldwide carbon flux measurements network used in greenhouse gas control and regional and national budget; and wind power use in complex terrain. The applicant’s goal is to publish a book chapter with clear instructions on the practical and effective use of the different footprint models to facilitate a more extensive use of footprint models related to numerous practical issues of high environmental priority like air pollution, greenhouse gas control, wind power use etc.
Final report
Footprint modelling is an increasingly used tool in meteorology and environmental sciences. This type of models links source areas near the surface to measuring points or regions in the lower portion of the atmosphere which are influenced by source areas upwind. This topic is of paramount importance in upscaling point gaseous concentration and flux measurements to a larger upwind source area; in data quality analysis of, for instance, the worldwide carbon flux measurements network used in greenhouse gas control and regional and national budgets; and wind power use in complex terrain. During a stay of Prof. Leclerc at the University of Bayreuth the applicants prepared a book chapter about the practical application of footprint models. This chapter will be a part of a monograph about footprints, which will be published by Springer in 2011. The chapter provides clear instruction on the practical and effective use of the different footprint models to facilitate a more extensive use of footprint models related to numerous practical issues of high environmental priority such as air pollution, greenhouse gas control, wind power use etc. It summarizes the literature and software tools of the recent years and constitutes a large extension of former overview articles by the applicants.