arXiv subjects

Anastassia M. Makarieva

Publications and source records attributed to Anastassia M. Makarieva.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

The key physical parameters governing frictional dissipation in a precipitating atmosphere

Precipitation generates small-scale turbulent air flows the energy of which ultimately dissipates to heat. The power of this process has previously been estimated to be around 2-4 W m-2 in the tropics: a value comparable in magnitude to the dynamic power of the global circulation. Here we suggest that this previous power estimate is approximately double the true figure. Our result reflects a revised evaluation of the mean precipitation path length Hp. We investigate the dependence of Hp on surface temperature,relative humidity,temperature lapse rate and degree of condensation in the ascending air. We find that the degree of condensation,defined as the relative change of the saturated water vapor mixing ratio in the region of condensation, is a major factor determining Hp. We estimate from theory that the mean large-scale rate of frictional dissipation associated with total precipitation in the tropics lies between 1 and 2 W m-2 and show that our estimate is supported by empirical evidence. We show that under terrestrial conditions frictional dissipation constitutes a minor fraction of the dynamic power of condensation-induced atmospheric circulation,which is estimated to be at least 2.5 times larger. However,because Hp increases with surface temperature Ts, the rate of frictional dissipation would exceed that of condensation-induced dynamics, and thus block major circulation, at Ts >~320 K in a moist adiabatic atmosphere.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2012

Condensational theory of stationary tornadoes

Using the Bernoulli integral for air streamline with condensing water vapor a stationary axisymmetric tornado circulation is described. The obtained profiles of vertical, radial and tangential velocities are in agreement with observations for the Mulhall tornado, world's largest on record and longest-lived among the three tornadoes for which 3D velocity data are available. Maximum possible vortex velocities are estimated.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Condensation of water vapor in the gravitational field

Physical peculiarities of water vapor condensation under conditions of hydrostatic equilibrium are considered. The power of stationary dynamic air fluxes and the vertical temperature distribution caused by condensation on large horizontal scales are estimated.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2011

On the nature of intraspecific genetic variability: Evidence against the ruling paradigm

Empirical evidence is presented which contradicts the established interpretation of the intraspecific genetic variability as the adaptive potential of the species: the uniform evolutionary tempo across the life kingdom, species discreteness, and absence of correlation between genetic variability and prosperity of extant species testify against the ruling paradigm. Consistent interpretation of the nature of intraspecific genetic variability is based on recognizing the limited sensitivity of stabilising selection, which allows for accumulation and persistence in the population of a considerable amount of mutational substitutions, which, to some degree, erase the meaningful genetic information of the species. The proposed interpretation also provides solution to the inbreeding paradox in the invasive species.

q-bio.PE↗

arXiv2010

Comprehending environmental and economic sustainability: Comparative analysis of stability principles in the biosphere and free market economy

Using the formalism of Lyapunov potential function it is shown that the stability principles for biomass in the ecosystem and for employment in economics are mathematically similar. The ecosystem is found to have a stable and an unstable stationary state with high (forest) and low (grasslands) biomass, respectively. In economics, there is a stable stationary state with high employment, which corresponds to mass production of conventional goods sold at low cost price, and an unstable stationary state with lower employment, which corresponds to production of novel goods appearing in the course of technological progress. An additional stable stationary state is described for economics, the one corresponding to very low employment in production of life essentials such as energy and raw materials. In this state the civilization currently pays 10% of global GDP for energy produced by a negligible minority of the working population (currently ~0.2%) and sold at prices greatly exceeding the cost price by 40 times. It is shown that economic ownership over energy sources is equivalent to equating measurable variables of different dimensions (stores and fluxes), which leads to effective violation of the laws of energy and matter conservation.

q-fin.GN↗

arXiv2010

Reply to comment of Bister and co-authors on the critique of the dissipative heat engine

The dissipative heat engine (DHE) is based on a Carnot cycle with external heat Qin received at temperature Ts and released at To < Ts. In contrast to the classical Carnot engine, mechanical work Ad in the DHE is not exported to external environment but dissipates to heat within the engine. Makarieva et al. (2010, hereafter MGLN) asserted that the laws of thermodynamics prohibit an increase of Ad beyond the Carnot limit: Ad <= epsilon Qin, epsilon = (Ts - To)/Ts. Bister et al. (2010, hereafter BRPE) counterargued that such an increase is possible and that hurricanes can be viewed as a natural DHE. Here we show that the arguments of BRPE are not consistent with the energy conservation law and thus do not refute MGLN's claims.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2010

Potential energy of atmospheric water vapor and the air motions induced by water vapor condensation on different spatial scales

Basic physical principles are considered that are responsible for the origin of dynamic air flow upon condensation of water vapor, the partial pressure of which represents a store of potential energy in the atmosphere of Earth. Quantitative characteristics of such flow are presented for several spatial scales. It is shown that maximum condensation-induced velocities reach 160 m/s and are realized in compact circulation patterns like tornadoes.

physics.ao-ph↗