Recent ASCOT experiments in multi-layered flows
The US Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) Atmospheric Studies in Complex Terrain (ASCOT) program has conducted its most recent research along the mountain-plains interface near DOE`s Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado. ASCOT meteorological experiments in January and February 1991 were coordinated with Rocky Flats tracer releases for airflow and dispersion evaluations. It was found that dispersion was controlled by multiple scales of motion that created interacting layers of flow varying significantly in three dimensions and on an hourly basis. Plume dispersion at night was held close to the surface within a stable drainage-layer that followed regional flow features, intermittently interrupted by evolving mountain-canyon flows. Further implications of the highly variable flow features are that releases into shear zones above shallow surface layers or into canyon outflows, undetected by conventional measurement networks, could be transported unexpected directions diverging widely from predictions.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10192627
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-22598; CONF-930810-11; ON: DE94002360
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Topical meeting on environmental transport and dosimetry,Charleston, SC (United States),31 Aug - 3 Sep 1993; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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