[CF-metadata] sublimation

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:10:50 +0000

Dear Karl

> I would appreciate advice concerning the attached email. What is the difference between the following 2 standard names:
>
> 1) "water_sublimation_flux"
> 2) "surface_snow_and_ice_sublimation flux"
>
> 2) clearly refers to surface sublimation. Is 1) meant exclusively for ice suspended in the atmosphere, or could it also apply to the surface?

I think these are almost synonyms. The first is the original name; it is
like water_evaporation_flux. Here water refers to the species i.e. it doesn't
mean the sublimation of carbon dioxide, for example! Both of them refer to
the surface. We perhaps should clarify that for evaporation as well, which
likewise could occur in mid-air, by putting "surface" in the names.

If sublimation of water occurs from the surface, could the source be anything
other than surface snow or ice? Does that phrase cover every possible form of
frozen surface water one might consider? If so, they are synonyms and we should
make one the alias of the other.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Mon Nov 22 2010 - 03:10:50 GMT