Quantifying the environmental impact of particulate deposition from dry unpaved roadways
Airborne dust is the air pollutant most frequently observed to exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards in rural areas. This pollutant (also referred to as suspended particulates) may originate from point sources (e.g., large areas of bare soil or pollen-producing vegetation.) Most sources of atmospheric particulates, whether natural or anthropogenic, are difficult to quantify by means of a source strength (i.e., mass of particulates emitted per unit time). A numerical model was developed for calculating the source strength and quantifying the atmospheric transport and eposition of dust generated on unpaved roadways. This model satisfies the second-order differential equation for the diffusion process and also the equation of mass conservation. Input to the model includes meterological variables, surface roughness characteristics, and the size distribution and suspended particulate concentration of dust as sampled downwind of an unpaved roadway. By using predetermined tolerance levels of airborne concentrations or tolerance levels of deposition, maximum allowable vehicular traffic volume can be established. The model also may be used to estimate reduction in photosynthesis resulting from fugitive dust from point or line sources. The contribug ion to sedimentation in aquatic bodies, resulting from airborne particulates also may be assessed with this model.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Lab., IA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 6472004
- Report Number(s):
- IS-T-826
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
DEPOSITION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIFFUSION
DUSTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EQUATIONS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
POLLUTION
ROADS
SEDIMENTATION
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
TRAFFIC CONTROL