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Estimation of sensible heat flux at a tropical location: a performance evaluation of half-order time derivative method

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Abstract

Measurement of surface energy balance (SEB) components such as sensible heat flux is a very fundamental input in weather forecast, hydrological, and air quality models among many other applications. The instrumentation for measuring SEB components is however resource-intensive and highly susceptible to damage under field-experiment conditions. A simple, less equipment-intensive, cost-effective, and relatively accurate method is thus required to overcome these setbacks. The present study, therefore evaluates the performance of a rather simple half-order time derivative (HTD) method in estimating sensible heat flux at a tropical location in West Africa (Ile-Ife, Nigeria 7°33′N, 4°33′E). HTD estimates of sensible heat flux were made from near surface atmospheric parameters measured during Phase I of the Nigerian Micrometeorological Experiment. At the same site, direct turbulence flux measurements from an eddy covariance system comprising a 3-D ultrasonic anemometer (USA-1) and a krypton hygrometer (KH20) were used as standard benchmark values for the HTD performance evaluation. Within a diurnal air temperature range of 18–34 °C, estimated daytime sensible heat flux reached a peak of 318.7 W m−2 and a lowest nighttime value of − 15.8 W m−2, indicating surface cooling. Statistical tests performed; mean bias error (MBE <2 W m−2), root mean square error (RMSE <7.3 W m−2), mean absolute error (MAE< 2 W m−2), and percent mean relative error (PMRE <1%) indicated a good accuracy of the HTD method with an overall significant correlation (R2 = 0.89) with benchmark values. The HTD method is found most suitable for daytime convective conditions than stable nighttime periods at the tropical location.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Lukman A. Sunmonu, Ayodele P. Olufemi & Oladimeji A. Babatunde

  2. Department of Physics, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria

    Ayodele P. Olufemi

  3. Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Olawale E. Abiye

Authors
  1. Lukman A. Sunmonu
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  2. Ayodele P. Olufemi
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  3. Olawale E. Abiye
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  4. Oladimeji A. Babatunde
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Correspondence to Lukman A. Sunmonu.

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Appendix I

Appendix I

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Table 3 Description of statistical criteria and expression used in this study
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Sunmonu, L.A., Olufemi, A.P., Abiye, O.E. et al. Estimation of sensible heat flux at a tropical location: a performance evaluation of half-order time derivative method. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 5, 1215–1220 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-019-00638-3

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