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Read Full Article (file size: 310159 bytes) Cited by
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS,
VOL. 30, NO. 23,
2223,
doi:10.1029/2003GL018363,
2003
The atmospheric circulation and states of maximum entropy production
Axel Kleidon
Department of Geography, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
Klaus Fraedrich
Meteorologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Torben Kunz
Meteorologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Frank Lunkeit
Meteorologisches Institut, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Abstract
Energy balance models suggest that the atmospheric circulation operates close to a state of maximum entropy production. Here
we support this hypothesis with sensitivity simulations of an atmospheric general circulation model. A state of maximum entropy
production is obtained by (i) adjusting boundary layer turbulence and (ii) using a sufficiently high model resolution which
allows sufficient degrees of freedom for the atmospheric flow. The state of maximum entropy production is associated with
the largest conversion of available potential energy into kinetic energy which is subsequently dissipated by boundary layer
turbulence. It exhibits the largest eddy activity in the mid latitudes, resulting in the most effective transport of heat
towards the poles and the least equator-pole temperature difference. These results suggest that GCMs have a fundamental tendency
to underestimate the magnitude of atmospheric heat transport and, therefore, overestimate the equator-pole temperature gradient
for the present-day climate, for the response to global climatic change, and for atmospheres of other planetary bodies.
Received 7
August
2003;
accepted 7
November
2003;
published 12
December
2003.
Index Terms: 3307 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Boundary layer processes; 3319 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: General circulation; 3337 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Numerical modeling and data assimilation; 3379 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Turbulence.
Read Full Article (file size: 310159 bytes) Cited by
Citation: Kleidon, A., K. Fraedrich, T. Kunz, and F. Lunkeit
(2003),
The atmospheric circulation and states of maximum entropy production,
Geophys. Res. Lett.,
30(23),
2223,
doi:10.1029/2003GL018363.
Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union.
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