Modeling pollutant transport in the southern Appalachian Mountains

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:422959

Mueller, S F ^[1]; Song, A; Norris, W B; Gupta, S; McNider, R T ^[2]

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1. Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL (United States)
2. Univ. of Alabama, Huntsville, AL (United States)

Sensitive ecosystems of the southern Appalachian Mountains are being studied to determine levels of air pollutant impacts. One such effort is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) where several projects are underway. This paper describes the results of one research project aimed at quantifying the spatial and temporal distribution of park ozone and the role of various ozone precursor sources in regional ozone production. Airflow and air pollution transport in the vicinity of the Great Smoky Mountains are strongly influenced by complex topography that characterizes the region. The highest elevations in the mountains are on the order of 1,700 m greater than the floor of the Tennessee River Valley to the west. The valley floor slopes southwestward from north of the mountains towards Chattanooga. This mixture of mountain ridges and valleys is expected to strongly influence air circulation patterns on days when regional geostrophic winds are weak. These conditions frequently occur in the summer and often coincide with periods when levels of air pollutants, especially ozone, are high. The present study examines airflow patterns during specific periods when high ozone concentrations were observed within the GSMNP.

• Sponsoring Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, TN (United States)
• OSTI ID: 422959
• Report Number(s): CONF-960127--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OZONE