Large Eddy Simulations of the Dusty Martian Boundary Layer with MarsWRF
Abstract
Large eddy simulations (LES) of meteorological processes and dust transport in the Martian convective boundary layer (CBL) are performed using a Mars version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model, MarsWRF, adapted to use periodic boundary conditions. A dust lifting scheme with a constant threshold wind stress is then used to examine dust lifting processes, where the lifted dust is entrained into updrafts. The radiative effects of dust lifting on CBL processes are also examined. The uniformly distributed dust in the atmosphere reduces the sunlight reaching the surface and enhances the static stability of the lower atmosphere, thus weakens the convection process (shading effect). However, the nonuniformly distributed dust perturbed by the intense convection processes will enhance both the vertical and horizontal thermal contrast at the surface and in the atmosphere and introduce more energy into the CBL by increasing the production of buoyancy (inhomogeneous effect). If enough dust is lifted and perturbed sufficiently, the extra energy due to the inhomogeneous effect may compensate for the energy decrease due to the shading effect, with the overall effect being a higher CBL height at the end of the afternoon.
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019EPSC...13..378W