A closure method for random advection of a passive scalar

A novel functional method is applied to calculate the statistics of a passive scalar in an isotropic turbulent velocity field. The method yields asymptotic series expansions for small velocity correlation time from which approximate closure equations are derived. The closure method admits a diagram expansion, and is implemented as a Mathematica program. Pade summation of the asymptotic series yields accurate values for the effective diffusivity and gives formulas expressing the Lagrangian correlation of the velocity in terms of the Eulerian correlation. The approximations compare very favorably with numerical simulations of advection by a Gaussian velocity field. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-6631(00)01306-4].