Local circulations in the region of Santarém: observations and numerical modeling in the multidisciplinary context of the LBA

• Grant number: 00/11865-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2001
• End date: November 30, 2002
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Assunção Faus da Silva Dias
• Grantee: Maria Assunção Faus da Silva Dias
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present proposal fits into the LBA project: Large-scale experiment on the biosphere-atmosphere interaction in Amazonia, which is an international Project led by Inpe with participation from Nasa and the European Community. Recent research on the surfasse atmosphere interaction suggests a strong dependence between surface processes and climate.Wet convection is the principal path through which water, energy and trace gases are transported from the surface layer of the atmosphere to the troposphere. Heterogeneities of surfasse caused by different types of vegetation and by land/water contrasts are causes of local circulations and have been observed in Amazonia. The present proposal aims to undertake a campaign of intensive measurements in the region of Santarém to characterize the impact of the heterogeneities of surface on local circulations and on the formation of cloud and to validate the numerical simulations of the lake breeze phenomena and circulations between forest and pasture in areas surrounding Santarém. (AU)