Abstract
An optical method is discussed for the determination of the line average of the vertical temperature gradient, which is subsequently used for the calculation of the scaling temperature and of the sensible heat flux. The method requires conventional surveying instrumentation only, and the measurements are carried out easily. The attainable accuracy is estimated as 10% or better. Observations are also possible during night or light-wind conditions. In a field experiment, results from this optical method were compared with measurements taken with a conventional covariance eddy-flux instrument. Excellent agreement between both methods was found.
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Brunner, F.K. Determination of line averages of sensible heat flux using an optical method. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 22, 193–207 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118253
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118253