The Electric Field of the Undisturbed Atmosphere in the South of Western Siberia: A Case Study on Tomsk

Abstract

Currently, many researchers have an interest in the investigation of the electric field in the fair-weather electric environment along with its diurnal and seasonal variations across all regions of the world. However, a similar study in the southern part of Western Siberia has not yet been carried out. In this regard, the paper aims to estimate the mean values of the electric field and their variations in this area using the example of Tomsk. The time series of one-minute average potential gradient values as well as other quantities obtained from the geophysical observatory of the Institute of Monitoring of Climatic and Ecological Systems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMCES SB RAS, Tomsk, Russia) from 2006 to 2020 is used in this study. The mean annual value of the potential gradient in Tomsk is 282 V/m and usually varies from 161 to 372 V/m. The diurnal variations in potential gradient per year on average are characterized by oscillations of the continental type with a double maximum and minimum. The main minimum of diurnal variations is 7 h and the main maximum is 21 h of local time (00 and 14 UTC, respectively). According to the annual mode, the maximum potential gradient is observed in February, and the minimum is recorded in June.

The Electric State of the Surface Atmosphere in the Mountain–Steppe Landscapes of Southern Siberia According to the Measurement Data in the Khakass–Tyva Expedition in 2022

“…A comparison of daily variations in ∇φ at expedition observation sites with daily variations in ∇φ at stationary observation sites in regions with similar physical-geographical conditions and time zones (from UTC+5 to UTC+8) showed the following. Daily variations in ∇φ at our observation sites, especially in the afternoon hours, are qualitatively similar to the daily variations observed at stations located on the West Siberian Plain and the spurs of the Kuznetsk Alatau [21], the Tibetan Plateau [22], and the foothills and slopes of the Himalayas in Northern India [69] and Pakistan [70,71]. At all continental observation sites under good weather conditions, the increase in ∇φ in the daytime and the appearance of the main maximum is caused by radiative heating of the surface, the amplification of convective movements, increased turbulent mixing, and, accordingly, the spatial redistribution of aerosols.…”

Variability of atmospheric electrical quantities in the mountain-steppe landscapes of Southern Siberia

“…Registration of the concentrations of positive (n+) and negative (n-) air ions was carried out using two air ion counters AIC2 (Alpha Lab, Inc.). The counters were placed on tripods at a height of 1 m. The electric field potential gradient () was measured using the portable field mill EFS-2/50 (NTTCR), mounted on a grounded tripod at a height of 2 m. The field mill was preliminarily calibrated using a calibration stand (plate capacitor) and brought to the readings of the portable field mill CS110 (Campbell Scientific, Inc.) operating at the IMCES geophysical observatory 11 . Pictures of observation sites are shown in Fig.…”

“…The average diurnal variation of the electric field (Carnegie curve), which corresponds to universal time and does not depend on the place of measurement, is the global daily contribution of electrical activity in areas of disturbed weather 4 . At the same time, the contribution of regional and local factors can significantly affect the variability of atmosphericelectrical quantities [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . Since the electrical state of the atmosphere can vary greatly due to various natural and anthropogenic factors, to study the functioning of the GEC, it is necessary to monitor and analyze the variability of atmospheric electrical quantities in different regions of the Earth 12 .…”

Electric field of the undisturbed atmosphere in Tomsk

“…The average diurnal variation of the electric field potential gradient, commonly known as the Carnegie curve or unitary variation, which corresponds to universal time and does not depend on the measurement location, and represents the global daily contribution of thunderstorm activity in areas of disturbed weather 4,5 . However, the contribution of regional and local factors can significantly affect the daily variations in the surface electric field in different regions of the globe [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . Since the electrical state of the atmosphere can vary greatly due to various natural and anthropogenic factors, to study the functioning of the GEC, it is necessary to monitor and analyze the electrical quantities variability in different regions of the Earth 14 .…”