Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comparison of a multilayer regional-scale acid rain assessment model (MLRAPT) with a single-layer assessment model, RAPT

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study, which is part of the 1985 Assessment on Current Damages of Acid Deposition, examines uncertainty due to treating transport processes using a single-layer model compared to a multilayer model. The Multilayer Regional Air Pollutant Transport Model, MLRAPT, was run in both modes, single layer and multilayer, using 224 sources during a 22-day period in July 1978 for the northeastern United States. Comparison between the two modes indicated that the average air concentrations were highly correlated (a correlation coefficient of 0.98). However, for wet deposition of SO4, a correlation coefficient of 0.55 between the two predicted wet deposition fields was obtained. Results of the comparison of the two modes with the observed air concentration fields and with a limited comparison of observed wet deposition indicate that caution should be used when interpreting results of a single-layer model to develop source/receptor relationships.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berkowitz, C. M., Davis, W. E., and Knudson, D.: 1983, ‘Potential Trajectory Errors in Single-Layer Wind Fields’, paper appearing in The Meteorology of Acid Deposition, Perry Samson, Ed. APCA.

  • Davis, W. E.: 1983a, ‘Preliminary Results of an Eight-Layer Regional Assessment Model Applied to the Problem of Acid Rain’, In Energy and Environmental Chemistry: Acid Rain. Ed. L. H. Keith, Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W. E.: 1983b, ‘An Intercomparison of the Washout of SO4 = from a Single-Layer Regional Transport Model with a Multilayer Vertical-Motion Regional Transport Model’, paper in Precipitation Scavenging, Dry Deposition, and Resuspension. Elsevier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W. E.: 1984, ‘The Effect of Vertical Wind Shear on Regional-Scale Trajectories in Near-Frontal Conditions,’ paper in the proceedings of Fourth Joint Conference on Applications of Air Pollution Meteorology with APCA. Portland, Oregon.

  • Davis, W. E., and Wendell, L. L.: 1976, ‘Some Effects of Isentropic Vertical Motion Simulation in a Regional-Scale Quasi-Lagrangian Air Quality Model,’ paper presented at the 3rd Symposium on Atmospheric Turbulence, Diffusion, and Air Quality, Raleigh, North Carolina.

  • McNaughton, D. J.: 1980, Atmos. Environ., 14, 55.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton, D. J., Powell D. C., and Berkowitz C. M.: 1981, RAPT — The Pacific Northwest Laboratory Regional Air Pollutant Transport Model. PNL-3390, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perhac, R. M.: 1978, Atmos. Environ. 12, 641.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, 99352, Richland, WA, USA

    W. E. Davis & C. S. Glantz

Authors
  1. W. E. Davis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. S. Glantz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Davis, W.E., Glantz, C.S. A comparison of a multilayer regional-scale acid rain assessment model (MLRAPT) with a single-layer assessment model, RAPT. Water Air Soil Pollut 30, 857–866 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303351

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303351

Keywords

Search

Navigation