Role of surface characteristics in urban meteorology and air quality
- Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
Urbanization results in a landscape with significantly modified surface characteristics. The lower values of reflectivity to solar radiation, surface moisture availability, and vegetative cover, along with the higher values of anthropogenic heat release and surface roughness combine to result higher air temperatures in urban areas relative to their rural counterparts. Through their role in the surface energy balance and surface exchange processes, these surface characteristics are capable of modifying the local meteorology. The impacts on wind speeds, air temperatures, and mixing heights are of particular importance, as they have significant implications in terms of urban energy use and air quality. This research presents several major improvements to the meteorological modeling methodology for highly heterogeneous terrain. A land-use data-base is implemented to provide accurate specification of surface characteristic variability in simulations of the Los Angeles Basin. Several vegetation parameterizations are developed and implemented, and a method for including anthropogenic heat release into the model physics is presented. These modeling advancements are then used in a series of three-dimensional simulations which were developed to investigate the potential meteorological impact of several mitigation strategies. Results indicate that application of moderate tree-planting and urban-lightening programs in Los Angeles may produce summertime air temperature reductions on the order of 4°C with a concomitant reduction in air pollution. The analysis also reveals several mechanisms whereby the application of these mitigation strategies may potentially increase pollutant concentrations. The pollution and energy use consequences are discussed in detail.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; California Inst. for Energy Efficiency (CIEE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 10184819
- Report Number(s):
- LBL--34459; ON: DE93040929
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Sensitivity of coastal meteorology and air quality to urban surface characteristics
An estimate of the emission rate of primary fine aerosols from urban vegetation
The sensitivity of complex photochemical model estimates to detail in input information. Appendix A: a compilation of simulation results
Conference
·
Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 UTC 1994
·
OSTI ID:28759
An estimate of the emission rate of primary fine aerosols from urban vegetation
Conference
·
Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 UTC 1995
·
OSTI ID:166534
The sensitivity of complex photochemical model estimates to detail in input information. Appendix A: a compilation of simulation results
Technical Report
·
Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 UTC 1981
·
OSTI ID:6458423