Parameterization of Convective Heat Fluxes over Ile-Ife Using Bowen Ratio, Aerodynamic Gradient and Aerodynamic with Resistance Techniques

This research parameterized sensible and latent heat fluxes using Bowen Ratio (BR) also known as (Bowen Ratio Energy Balance), Aerodynamic Gradient (AG) and Aerodynamic Resistance (AR) techniques. Energy Residuum as well as Closure fractions were obtained and were used to assess closures for both direct and indirect fluxes. The data used were sourced from the Nigeria Micrometeorological Experiment (NIMEX-1) conducted within the transition period, 2004. The research site is located at the agricultural farm of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (lat. 7.55o N, Long. 4.56o E), Nigeria. The results from each of the techniques were correlated with the measured heat fluxes in order to decide the best theoretical approach for the estimation of fluxes over the region of study. BR and AG compared moderately with the measured fluxes. BR scheme overestimated latent heat flux but underestimated sensible heat flux; AG technique slightly underestimated sensible heat flux but strongly underestimated latent heat fluxes with only few days of overestimation of sensible heat flux. AR, on the other hand, underestimated both latent and sensible heat fluxes. The obtained closure for AG proved much closer to the closure obtained from the direct measurement, BR has a better theoretical closure while AR failed as a whole. The trends as well as statistical analysis proved that AG performed best for sensible heat flux while BR presented good results for both latent heat flux and energy closure.