Although spheres and spheroids have been used extensively by researchers as convenient models to approximate "snowflakes" when computing their microwave scattering properties, recent research indicates that the scattering properties of more accurately simulated snowflakes are fundamentally different from the simplified models. To resolve this well-recognized discrepancy, a new snowflake aggregation model is developed in this study and the microwave single-scattering properties of the modeled aggregate snowflakes are characterized for use in radiative transfer modeling and remote sensing algorithm development. Three different aggregate snowflake types (rounded, oblate and prolate) are generated by random aggregation of 6-bullet rosettes constrained by size-density relationships derived from previous field observations. Additionally, they are further constrained to empirically determined aspect ratios (ar) and fractal dimensions (df) of aggregate flakes. Due to random generation, aggregates may have the same size or mass, yet different morphology, allowing for a study into how detailed structure influences an individual flake's scattering properties. Single-scattering properties of the aggregates were investigated using discrete dipole approximation (DDA) at 10 frequencies: 10.65, 13.6, 18.7, 23.8, 35.6, 36.5, 89.0, 94.0, 165.5 and 183.31 GHz. All of these frequencies are currently used in instruments (radar and radiometers) aboard satellites involved in the research of atmospheric ice particles. Results from DDA were compared to those of Mie theory for solid and soft spheres (with a density 10% that of solid ice) and to T-matrix results for solid and soft spheroidal cases with ar values of 0.8 and 0.6 dependent on flake type (rounded, oblate or prolate). Analyzing modeling results, it is found that above size parameter 0.75, neither solid nor soft sphere and spheroidal approximations accurately represented the DDA results for all aggregate types. The asymmetry parameter and the normalized scattering and backscattering cross-sections of the aggregate groups fell between the soft and solid spherical and spheroidal approximations. This implies that evaluating snow scattering properties using realistic shapes, such as the aggregates created in this study, is necessary in radiative transfer modeling and remote sensing studies. When examining the dependence of the single-scattering properties on each aggregate's detailed structure, morphology seemed of secondary importance. Using normalized standard deviation as a measure of relative uncertainty, it is found that the relative uncertainty in backscattering arising from the different morphologies caused by random aggregation is typically ~17%, 13% and 14% for individual particles and ~20%, 30% and 30% when integrated over size distributions for rounded, oblate and prolate flakes respectively. Relative uncertainties for other single-scattering parameters are less. These analyses indicate that a scattering database can be created to approximate the single-scattering properties of realistic aggregate flakes. A database of such aggregate flakes has been created based upon the research detailed herein, and made available for public use. In this work, it is found that flakes with similar size parameters can scatter differently. Ongoing research indicates that this is due to outer layer morphology of the flake (i.e. the arms of a dendritic snowflake) rather than any interior properties. When the interior of an aggregate flake is scrambled, the scattering results are nearly the same as the unscrambled interior whereas if the outer layer is altered, scattering results differ. Another interesting trend noted is that randomly oriented flakes with differing ar values have noticeably differing backscatter cross-sections and could have significant implications for future research. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2015. / April 23, 2015. / Includes bibliographical references. / Guosheng Liu, Professor Directing Dissertation; Eric Chicken, University Representative; Mark Bourassa, Committee Member; Robert Ellingson, Committee Member; Vasu Misra, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253121 |
| Contributors | Nowell, Holly Kreutzer (authoraut), Liu, Guosheng (professor directing dissertation), Chicken, Eric (university representative), Bourassa, Mark Allan (committee member), Ellingson, R. G. (committee member), Misra, Vasubandhu, 1970- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (119 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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