Abstract
Abstract Dispersion air quality models require meteorological fields to calculate the dispersion characteristics that can be provided by mesoscale meteorological models. These characteristics are related to the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), and in particular to ABL depth and the atmospheric stability. This study investigates the sensitivity of the dispersion parameters to ABL schemes included in the meteorological model PSU/NCAR MM5 (Grell, G. A., Dudhia, J., Stauffer, D. R., 1995. A description of the Fifth-Generation Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). NCAR/TN-398+STR, Boulder (CO), USA.) applied to a complex terrain at Galicia (NW of Spain). Two days (March 18–19th, 2003) were selected, with high pressures and moderate wind. Using a Gaussian plume model, the influence of the ABL characteristics is included in the calculation of the dispersion parameters, σ y and σ z . We focus on two factors that can modify the values of these two parameters: topographical resolution (9.0 vs. 0.9 km) and ABL closure schemes (Eta local vs. MRF non-local). Sensitivity analysis of these factors vs. stability parameter z i / L ( z i , ABL depth; L , Monin–Obukhov length) was done. This study was restricted to convective conditions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
