Atmospheric diffusion in the surface turbulent boundary layer. [Pollutant transport and diffusion]

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7224382

Kao, S K; Taylor, D M

A study of turbulent diffusion in the surface boundary layer was made to determine the effects of wind shear on the dispersion of air pollutants. Three numerical models analyzed and compared include: constant wind velocities and diffusion coefficients throughout the layer are assumed; a logarithmic wind profile and constant diffusion coefficient; and logarithmic wind profile and linearly varying diffusion coefficients. It was found that the logarithmic wind profile in the surface boundary layer significantly affects air pollutant transport and diffusion resulting in generally lower pollutant concentration levels throughout the layer except in a region beneath and close to source location. It becomes apparent that when numerically modelling an air pollution situation in the surface turbulent boundary layer, the effects of the velocity shear of the logarithmic wind profile must be considered.

• Research Organization: Utah Univ., Salt Lake City (USA). Dept. of Meteorology
• OSTI ID: 7224382
• Report Number(s): COO-2455-16
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
500200* -- Environment
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR
AIR POLLUTION
ALTITUDE
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
DIFFUSION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLOW MODELS
FLUIDS
GASES
GEOMETRY
LAYERS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICS
METEOROLOGY
POLLUTION
SURFACE AIR
VARIATIONS
VELOCITY
WIND