Electricity of the Undisturbed Atmospheric Boundary Layer of Middle Latitudes

Abstract

The atmospheric boundary layer is the lowermost part of the atmosphere, the turbulent dynamics and electrodynamics of which are determined by the complex organization of processes in a dissipative environment with energy input from many sources. Regions of the atmosphere undisturbed by thunderstorms and precipitation are characterized by low-energy electrical processes, for the study of which requires a developed instrument base and knowledge of the methods of synchronous spaced high-precision measurements of several physical quantities. The paper presents the results of recent studies of electricity of the atmospheric boundary layer of mid-latitudes carried out using the measuring complex of Borok Geophysical Observatory IPE RAS and numerical modeling. Quantitative estimates of the average values and variability of small ion concentration, the corresponding components of electrical conductivity, and atmospheric electric field intensity are performed. Two types of electric structures formed by the electric current flow through a turbulent medium with inhomogeneous conductivity are defined.