Summary
Variations in computed ground-level pollutant concentrations resulting from different sigma schemes in a Gaussian plume model have been investigated. Deviations from a standard calculation may be as large as orders of magnitude and are mostly associated with Pasquill-Gifford-Turner classes pertaining to active diffusion (classes A through D) in the rural case and to poor diffusion (classes E and F) in the urban one. The implications of these results as regards impact assessment studies are briefly discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aerocomp, Inc., 1981: PTPLU — A single source Gaussian dispersion algorithm. User's guide. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, N.T.I.S. PB83-211235, pp. 44–50.
Barad, M. L., Haugen, D. A., 1959: A preliminary evaluation of Sutton's hypothesis for diffusion from a continuous point source.J. Meteor. 16, 12–20.
Briggs, G. A., 1969:Plume Rise. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Div. Tech. Inform., TID-25075, 81 pp.
Briggs, C. A., 1973:Diffusion Estimation for Small Emissions. In Environ. Res. Lab., Air Resources Atmos. Turbulence and Diffusion laboratory, NOAA, Oak Ridge, Tennessee,1973 Annual Rep., ATDL-106, USCOD-NOAA.
Burt, E.W., 1977:VALLEY Model User's Guide. U.S.E.P.A., EPA-450/2-77-018. Research Triangle Park, N.C., pp. 2–8 and 2–9.
Busse, A. D., Zimmerman, R. J., 1973:User's Guide for the Climatological Dispersion Model. U.S.E.P.A., EPA-R4-73-024. NTIS TB227-346, Research Triangle Park, N.C., pp. 8–9.
Cramer, H. E., 1979:Industrial Source Complex (ISC) Dispersion Model — User's Guide. NTIS PB80-133044, H.E., U.S. Dept. of Commerce, pp. 2–26 through 2–29.
Filliger, R. H., 1986: Die Ausbreitung von Luftschadstoffen-Modelle und ihre Anwendung in der Region Biel.Geographica Bernensia 614, 58. Geogr. Inst. Univ. Bern, 152 pp.
Gifford, F. A., 1961: Use of routine meteorological observation for estimating atmospheric dispersion.Nuclear Safety 2, 47–57.
Gifford, F. A., 1976: Turbulent diffusion-typing schemes: A review.Nuclear Safety 17, 68–86.
Hanna, S. R., Briggs G. A., Hosker, R. P., Jr., 1982:Handbook on Atmospheric Diffusion. DOE/TIC-11223 (DE8020020-45), Technical Information Center, U.S. Department of Energy, 102 pp.
Irwin, J. S., 1979: A theoretical variation of the wind profile power law exponent as a function of surface roughness and stability.Atmos. Environ. 13, 191–194.
McElroy, J. L., 1969: A comparative study of rural and urban dispersion.J. Appl. Meteor. 8, 12–19.
McElroy, J. L., Pooler, F., 1968:St. Louis Dispersion Study, Vol. II — Analysis. Nat. Air Poll. Control Admin., Publ. No. AP-53. U.S. Dept. of Health, Educ. and Welfare, Arlington, VA., 51 pp.
Miller, C. W., 1978: An examination of Gaussian plume dispersion parameters for rough terrain.Atmos. Environ. 12, 1359–1364.
Pasquill, F., 1961: The estimation of dispersion of windborne material.Meteor. Mag. 90, 33–49.
Pasquill, F., 1976:Atmospheric Dispersion Parameters in Gaussian Plume Modelling — Part II: Possible Requirements for Change in the Turner Workbook values. EPA 600/4-76-030B, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Res. Triangle Park, NC, 44 pp.
Schulze, R. H., 1990: Dispersion modeling using personal computers.Atmos. Environ. 24A, 2051–2057.
Singer, I. A., Smith, M. E., 1966: Atmospheric dispersion at Brookhaven National Laboratory.Int. J. Air Water Poll. 10, 125–135.
Tadmor, J., Gur, Y., 1969: Analytical expressions for the vertical and lateral dispersion coefficients in atmospheric diffusion.Atmos. Environ. 3, 688–689.
Turner, D. B., 1964: A diffusion model for an urban area.J. Appl. Meteor. 3, 83–91.
Vogt, K. J., 1977: Empirical investigations of the diffusion of the diffusion of waste air plumes in the atmosphere.Nuclear Technol. 34, 43–49.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
With 6 Figures
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carrascal, M.D., Puigcerver, M. & Puig, P. Sensitivity of Gaussian plume model to dispersion specifications. Theor Appl Climatol 48, 147–157 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00864921
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00864921