Upward Dispersion Research Articles

Lattice dynamics of alkali cyanide crystals

The recent microscopic model of Michel and Naudts for the interaction of ionic vibrational displacements and molecular rotational displacements is combined with the lattice dynamical shell model to calculate phonon dispersion curves of KCN and NaCN. Very good agreement with the existing experimental data is obtained. In particular, the upward dispersion of the TA phonon branches, characteristic of the alkali cyanide crystals, is well reproduced.

Radon 222 measurements below 4 km as related to atmospheric convection

Radon (Rn222) profiles were made over southwest Arizona from 300 m to 4km altitude. A temperature inversion near 2000 m and a stable radon concentration averaging 32.0 pc m−3 at 2000 m were characteristic of morning flights. At 300 m there was a definite pattern of high radon concentrations in the early morning and lower concentrations by noon. At 760 m the radon concentration increased between the times of ascent and descent. This pattern resulted from the trapping of radon close to the ground during stable night-time conditions and its subsequent upward dispersal with solar heating. The day-to-day variation in radon concentrations at higher levels cannot be attributed to local upward transport by diffusion but must have resulted from larger scale circulations. Above 2000 m there are no conclusive differences between morning, afternoon and evening profiles. Low concentrations of radon were measured during one late evening profile when there was definite subsidence and advection of drier air into the region.

Dispersion and Deposition of Corn Pollen from Experimental Sources1

AbstractThe atmospheric dispersion and subsequent deposition of corn (Zea mays L.) pollen emitted from plants in two 18‐m diameter plots were studied in 39 tests at Brookhaven National Laboratory to compare the spread of this large pollen to that of smaller pollens studied previously. Concentrations were measured by wind‐impaction samplers mounted at four heights (0.5 to 4.6 m) and at five distances from the source on 20‐degree radii. Deposition was measured by greased microscope slides on the ground.Data were analyzed in terms of current meteorological dispersion theory. Normalized centerline concentrations, crosswind integrated concentrations, plume widths and heights, and mass flux are presented as functions of distance and compared to similar data from ragweed (Ambrosia) and timothy (Phleum pratense) sources of comparable size. Normalized centerline and crosswind integrated deposition and velocity of deposition are also presented as functions of distance and are compared to ragweed and timothy pollen data. The study shows that corn pollen is not transported as far by the wind as smaller pollens, does not disperse as widely in either the horizontal or the vertical direction and settles to earth more quickly, much of it within the source itself.The dispersion of corn pollen is influenced by its large size and rapid settling rate. At 60 m from the source in the downwind direction, concentrations average about 1% of those at 1 m. Width of the pollen plume at 60 m is less than that of smaller pollens under similar conditions. The rate of settling opposes the rate of upward dispersion so that the height of the pollen plume does not increase continuously with downwind distance. At 60 m from the source concentrations integrated in the crosswind direction average from 3 to 6% of those at 1 m. The total amount of pollen remaining airborne at 60 m is 5% of that at 1 m.Total deposition within the source plot is greater than that outside. Deposition per unit area at 60 m downwind is only 0.2% of that near the source. Crosswind integrated deposition at 60 m varies from 0.5 to 0.8% of that at 1 m. The velocity of deposition at 32 m from the source averages about 33 cm/sec.