Low-frequency effects on eddy covariance fluxes under the influence of a low-level jet

Turbulent bursts observed over a tall forest canopy during the initiation of a nocturnal low-level jet (LLJ) are studied with the help of wavelet analysis. The burst of turbulence is observed in response to a shear instability associated with the initiation of LLJ. Turbulent kinetic energy, momentum, and CO2-rich cold air are transferred downward by large eddies with length scales that are higher than the LLJ height. Micro-fronts are observed over the canopy as a secondary instability that enhances the mixing processes within and above the canopy. The scale-dependent wavelet correlation analysis reveals that countergradient fluxes result from low frequencies, whereas cogradient flux is associated with high-frequency turbulent motions. The countergradient flux is initially noted at low frequencies, and, through coherent motions, it is transferred to smaller scales with a nearly 20-min delay. The countergradient flux dominates at the initiation of the event and reduces net flux, whereas enhanced cogradient flux at the decay of the event increases the net flux. The wavelet correlation coefficient corresponding to cogradient and countergradient fluxes is applied to segregate three regions of the spectra corresponding to "turbulent," "coherent," and "noncoherent" large scales. These findings are used to examine the implications on eddy covariance flux measurements.