Estimation of the Kolmogorov constant by large-eddy simulation in the stable PBL

In this paper is evaluated the inertial subrange Kolmogorov constant C₀ in a stable boundary-layer. The importance of the constant C₀ is well known as predictions of turbulent dispersion by means of Lagrangian stochastic models depend upon its value. Different values of the C₀ constant has been proposed along the years, most of them determined at low Reynolds number and/or under different techniques. Here we estimate the constant C₀ by tracking an ensemble of Lagrangian particles injected in a stable planetary boundary-layer simulated with a large-eddy simulation model and analyzing the ensemble-averaged Lagrangian velocity structure function in the inertial subrange. Our estimative of C_0,w is 3.7, which is consistent with values found in literature. The evaluation of C_0,u and C_0,v cannot be easily accomplished since it is difficult to identify an inertial subrange for the wind field horizontal components.