Role of local winds and thermal stability in transport and diffusion within a narrow valley

Conference · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5222968

Orgill, M M; Whiteman, C D; Allwine, K J; Lee, R N; Thorp, J M; Schreck, R I j

Two tracer experiments were conducted in a narrow valley in western Colorado to investigate three valley phenomena: interactions between tributary and main valley flows, fumigation of elevated tracer plumes to the ground, and ventilation of tracer from the valley atmosphere. Drainage flow from ridges into a tributary canyon was only partially entrained in the lower levels of the canyon. The tracer remained aloft as it flowed into the main valley. Fumigation and ventilation of nocturnal elevated tracer plumes occurred during the morning transition period. An elevated tracer plume was transported toward the sunny sidewall after sunrise when one sidewall was in shade and the other in sunlight. Upslope winds carried tracer to higher valley elevations and eventually out of the valley. Fumigation occurred after sunrise, as a convective boundary layer grew upward from the ground and the winds eventually reversed in the valley. During one fumigation period, tracer concentrations at the valley floor increased to about twice the concentrations observed earlier in the morning.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5222968
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-13192; CONF-860803-5; ON: DE86015793
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500100* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COLORADO
DIFFUSION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION VIII
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METEOROLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
PLUMES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
USA
VALLEYS
WIND