Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An effect of space charge advection on vertical air-earth current measurements

Beeinflussung der Messung des luftelektrischen Vertikalstromes durch horizontale Raumladungsbewegungen

  • Published:
Archiv für Meteorologie, Geophysik und Bioklimatologie, Serie A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The measured values of electrical parameters of the atmosphere are known to be affected by wind, and days with strong winds (v x >6 m s−1) are normally classified as electrically disturbed. While the effect of horizontal wind on the electric field is readily explained in terms of changes in the spacecharge density, it is shown from electrodynamical considerations that the observed effect on the air-earth current cannot always be attributed solely to changes in the local conductivity and electric field. The existence of a vertical current of advection of magnitude ɛ0χ e υ x (∂E z /∂x) is revealed, and shown by calculations to be important (for instance during dust-storms and pointdischarge) when large space-charge concentrations are advected by wind. Since the current of advection is proportional tov x (∂E z /∂x), it is suggested that this parameter rather thanv x be used as a criterion for deciding wind-disturbed measurements of routine fair-weather atmospheric electric parameters.

Zusammenfassung

Bekanntlich wird die Messung luftelektrischer Elemente durch Wind beeinflußt, und Tage mit starkem Wind werden gewöhnlich als luftelektrisch gestört bezeichnet, wobei eine Grenze bei 6 m/sec gesetzt wird. Der Einfluß horizontaler Winde auf das luftelektrische Feld ist zwar durch die Änderungen der Raumladungsdichte erklärbar; es wird hier aber gezeigt, daß der beobachtete Einfluß auf den luftelektrischen Vertikalstrom nicht vollständig durch Änderungen der örtlichen Leitfähigkeit und des Feldes erklärt werden kann. Das Vorhandensein eines vertikalen Advektionsstromes von der Größe ɛ0χ e υ x (∂E z /∂ x ) wird dargelegt, und es wird durch Berechnung gezeigt, daß er dann bedeutsam ist, wenn große Raumladungsdichten durch den Wind horizontal bewegt werden (zum Beispiel bei Staubstürmen und beim Auftreten von Spitzenentladungen). Da dieser vertikale Advektionsstrom zu υ x (∂E z /∂ x ) proportional ist, wird empfohlen, anstelle des üblichenv x diesen Parameter als Kriterium zur Bestimmung der Windstörung bei luftelektrischen Schönwettermessungen zu verwenden.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Becker, R., and F. Sauter: Electromagnetic Fields and Interactions. Vol. 1, p. 296–298, Blackie, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brown, J. G.: The effect of Wind Upon the Earth's Electric Field at the Surface. Terr. Magn. Atmosph. Elect.41, 279–285 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Carstoiu, J.: Electrohydrodynamic Waves and Related Phenomena. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.58, 870–875 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cobb, W. E.: The Atmospheric Electric Climate at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii. J. Atmosph. Sci.25, 470–480 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dayaratna, L. H.: Atmospheric Electric Conduction and Convection Currents Near the Earth's Surface. Ph. D. Thesis, Durham University, 1969.

  6. Dolezalek, H.: Zur Berechnung des luftelektrischen Stromkreises III. Kontrolle des Ohmschen Gesetzes durch Mesung. Geofis. Pur. Appl.46, 125–144 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ette, A. I. I.: The Effect of the Harmattan Dust on Atmospheric Electric Parameters. J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys.33, 295–300 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hamilton, R. A., and J. W. Archibold: Meteorology of Nigeria and Adjacent Territory. Q. J. Roy. Met. Soc.71, 231–265 (1945).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Harris, D. J.: Planetary Electrodynamics. Vol. 1, p. 39–46 (editors: S. C. Coroniti & J. Hughes), Gordon and Breach, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Imianitov, I. M.: Izmereniye gorizontal'moi sostarlyayushchei elektrischeskogo nolya v atmosfere. Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR. Ser. Geog. Geofiz.13, 320–330 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Israël, H., and P. de Bruijin: The Present Status of Atmospheric Electric Research. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl., A,16, 281–300 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kamra, K.: Effect of Wind on Diurnal and Seasonal Variations of Atmospheric Electric Field. J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys.31, 1281–1286 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kasemir, H. W.: Measurement of the Air-Earth Current Density. Proc. Conf. Atmos. Elec., AFCRC, Geophys. Res. Paper42, Bedford, Mass., U.S.A., p. 91–95 (1955).

  14. Kasemir, H. W., and L. H. Ruhnke: Antenna Problems of Measurement of the Air-Earth Current. Rec. Adv. in Atmosph. Electricity, p. 137–147 (editor: L. G. Smith), Pergamon Press, 1958.

  15. Kunkel, W. B.: The Static Electrification of Dust Particles on Dispersion into a Cloud. J. Appl. Phys.21, 820–832 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mckeown, H. D. J.: Dust Concentrations in the Harmattan. Q. J. Roy. Met. Soc.84, 280–282 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mühleisen, R.: On the Deviations of the Course of Atmospheric Electricity on Continents from the World-Wide Course. J. Atmosph. Terr. Phys.8, 146–157 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Oluwafemi, C. O.: Personal Communication, 1970.

  19. Smyth, C. P.: Dielectric Behaviour and Structure, p. 6, McGraw Hill (1955).

  20. Sutton, O. G.: The Problem of Diffusion on the Low Atmosphere. Q. J. Roy. Met. Soc.73, 257–281 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wait, G. R., and O. W. Torreson: Atmospheric-electric Results from Watheroo, W. Australia, for the Period 1924–1934. Terr. Mag. Atmosph. Elect.46, 319–342 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. A. I. I. Ette

    Present address: Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. A. I. I. Ette
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Hans Israël.

    With 1 Figure

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Ette, A.I.I. An effect of space charge advection on vertical air-earth current measurements. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. A. 21, 329–338 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247981

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247981

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation