The eddy correlation (EC) method has been recommended as one of the standardmethods for measuring actual evapotranspiration. One of the challenges in interpreting eddycorrelation measurements is that the balance between various energy components measured andthe total energy received can sometimes be off by up to 30%. An independent measurement ofsensible heat flux by scintillometry is often used to resolve this energy balance closure problem.An EC system was set up at a 47 ha commercial corn field in southeastern North Dakotain 2008. Net radiation, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, soil heat flux and other weatherparameters were measured continuously at a 30-min interval during the growing season. AScintec Boundary Layer Scintillometer 900 (BLS900) was temporarily deployed for seven dayswhen clear sky conditions were satisfied. During the synchronous experiment, both systems wereadjusted to at least 1 m above the canopy and collected data at an increased frequency of everyminute. The EC system was placed at approximately the midpoint of the scintillometer path. Thecomparison of sensible heat fluxes measured by the two methods showed good agreement. Theresults will be used to validate the eddy correlation system in an attempt to reconcile the closureof energy balance.
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