Abstract
An easily-evaluated expression for the dimensionless concentration profile χ(z/z 0,χ/z 0, z 0/L) = = cu */kQ (or z 0cu*/kQ) downwind of a continuous ground-level area (or line) source in the stable surface layer is obtained by integrating the diffusion equation using the Shwetz approximation method (c = concentration, Q = source strength, k = von Kárman's constant). The analytical solution compares closely with concentration profiles obtained using a trajectory-simulation model over a useful range of heights, the important discrepancies occurring at the upper edge of the plume. The analytical solution is used to generate predictions of ground-level concentration for the Project Prairie Grass experiments; good agreement with the observations is obtained at all downwind distances (50 to 800 m).
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Wilson, J.D. An approximate analytical solution to the diffusion equation for short-range dispersion from a continuous ground-level source. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 23, 85–103 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116113