Session 7:
The Planetary Boundary Layer

What is the planetary boundary layer? What factors influnce the PBL? Why is it important to meteorology? Why is it important to air quality? In this session, we will answer these questions by discussing the structure and importance of the PBL.

Session Objectives

How much of this do I already know?

Part 1: What is the PBL

Part 2: Structure of the PBL


• Surface Layer
• Mixed Layer
• Stable Layer
• Residual Layer
• Mixing Height

Part 3: Factors Influencing the PBL


• Energy Budget
• Moisture
• Diurnal Variations
• Buoyancy
• Shear
• Roughness Length

Part 4: Processes in the PBL

• Weather Processes
• Pollutant Removal Mechanisms
  • Wet Deposition
  • Dry Deposition
  • Chemical Reactions
• Evapotranspiration

Focus on Air Quality

Session Questions

Critique This Session

Begin this session: Part 1: What is the PBL?

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The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
Copyright © 1996