Laboratory for Planetary Boundary Layer Physics

• The Laboratory has developed theoretical models of self-organization of turbulence, coherent structures and turbulent involvement in the planetary boundary layer in the setting of free and forced convection that has been proven by results of field data and numerical experiments.
• Our researchers have proposed unique methods of monitoring of convection in the atmosphere that are based on observation of variations of electric field both during a thunderstorm (from electromagnetic field of lightning discharge in the super-long wave range), and in good weather (from parameters of aeroelectric structures observed in boundary layer of the atmosphere).
• We have developed a microwave spectroradiometer for probing the thermal structure of the troposphere that has record-high characteristics in terms of altitude range (0–12 km), sensitivity and precision that have been achieved using optimization of the number and locations of spectral channels and usage of an algorithm of recovery of the temperature profile.
• Within the chemical transport model we have developed and implemented a method for computing emissions from wildfires on the bases of data of satellite measurements taking into account the weakening of intensity of infrared radiation by the smoke aerosols. The record-high precision of the proposed method is achieved by digestion of data from ground monitoring of atmospheric contamination by the model. Efficiency o the model has been demonstrated during the episode of abnormally high contamination of the atmosphere in the Moscow region in July and August 2010.
• We have developed and implemented a method for measuring velocity fields of air flow. The method is based on high-speed videotaping of marker particles injected into the flow and illuminated by continuous laser radiation. From measurements of velocity of near-water winds using this method we have proposed an explanation for the abnormally low aerodynamic resistance of the ocean surface under hurricane wind.

Implemented results of research:

The Laboratory has developed and patented the «Multi-position network system for meteorological radiolocation» that uses small meteorological radiolocators equipped with innovative phased array antennas on grids controlled diffusers. The system is aimed at monitoring local weather conditions for the purpose of supporting weather-dependent activities: flights of drones, agricultural and construction works, holding sports competitions and other mass open events etc.

Education and career development:

• Two doctoral dissertations and 5 candidate dissertations have been defended.
• The Laboratory has created and read 30 courses: «Modern programs of geophysics», «Basics of geophysical hydrodynamics», «Ecology: physical basics» and others.

Organizational and structural changes: The Laboratory has organized the Department of Environment and Geoinformation Technologies at the Nizhniy Novgorod State University (2016).

Collaborations:

• Finnish Meteorological Institute (Finland): joint research, creation of a contact point of the International scientific research initiative PEEX (Pan-Eurasian Experiment) in Nizhniy Novgorod on the grounds of the Laboratory. PEEX is a wide collaboration between researchers from the European Union, Russia and China PR formed for coordination of international interdisciplinary research in studying and forecasting the climate, quality of air and the state of the environment
• University of Helsinki (Finland), Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (Norway), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel): joint research and publications