Skip to main content
Log in

A Wind Tunnel and Numerical Investigation of Turbulent Dispersion in Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layers

  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Thermal internal boundary layers in onshore air flows have a significant influence on pollutant diffusion in coastal areas. Although several models for this diffusion problem exist, measurements for model verification are scarce. In this paper, we present a set of wind tunnel observations and examine the performance of a Lagrangian stochastic model. The good agreement between the model simulation and the tunnel measurements confirms the usefulness of the Lagrangian stochastic model for practical purposes. Sensitivity tests of the model to turbulence statistics show that uncertainty in velocity skewness to the extent of observational scatter does not seem to have a significant influence on pollutant dispersion, while uncertainties in turbulence intensity (variance) significantly influence the dispersion pattern.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baerentsen, J. H. and Berkowicz, Z.: 1984, 'Monte Carlo Simulation of Plume Dispersion in the Convective Boundary Layer', Atmos. Environ. 18, 701-712.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caughey, S. J. and Palmer, S. G.: 1979, 'Some Aspects of Turbulence Structure Through the Depth of the Convective Boundary Layer', Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 105, 811-827.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deardorff, J. W. and Willis, G. E.: 1982, 'Ground-level Concentrations due to Fumigatrion into an Entraining Mixed Layer', Atmos. Environ. 16, 1159-1170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, S., Wilson, J. W., and Yee, E.: 1994, 'Probability Density Function for Velocity in Convective Boundary Layer and Implied Trajectory Models', Atmos. Environ. 28, 1211-1217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand, P., Briere, S., and Druilhet, A.: 1989, 'A Sea-Land Transition Observed During the COAST Experiment', J. Atmos. Sci. 46, 96-116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibberd, M. F. and Luhar, A. K.: 1996, 'A Laboratory Study and Improved PDF Model of Fumigation into a Growing Convective Boundary Layer', Atmos. Environ. 30, 3633-3649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenschow, D. H., Wyngaard, J. C., and Pennell, W. T.: 1980, 'Mean-Field and Second-Moment Budgets in a Baroclinic, Convective Boundary Layer', J. Atmos. Sci. 37, 1313-1326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luhar, A. and Sawford, B. L.: 1995a, 'Lagrangian Stochastic Modelling of the Coastal Fumigation Phenomenon', J. Appl. Meteorol. 34, 2259-2277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luhar, A. and Sawford, B. L.: 1995b, 'An Examination of Existing Shoreline Fumigation Models and Formulation of an Improved Model', Atmos. Environ. 30, 609-620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luhar, A., Hibberd, M. F., and Hurley, P. J.: 1996, 'Comparison of Closure Schemes used to Specify the Velocity PDF in Lagrangian Stochastic Dispersion Models for Convective Conditions', Atmos. Environ. 30, 1407-1418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, W. A. and Cole, H. S.: 1973, 'Fumigation and Plume Trapping on the Shores of Lake Michigan During Stable Onshore Flow', J. Appl. Meteorol. 12, 494-510.

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra, P. K.: 1980, 'Dispersion from Tall Stacks into a Shoreline Environment', Atmos. Environ. 14, 396-400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohba, R., Kasishima, S., and Ito: S.: 1991, 'Water Tank Experiment of Gas Diffusion from a Stack in Stably and Unstably Stratified Layers Under Calm Conditions', Atmos. Environ. 25, 2063-2076.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynor, G. S., Sethuraman, S., and Brown, R. M.: 1979, 'Formation and Characteristics of Coastal Internal Boundary Layer During Onshore Flows', Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 16, 487-514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao, Y.: 1990, 'Turbulence and Turbulent Diffusion in a Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layer', Ph.D thesis, Flinders University of South Australia, pp.1-200.

  • Shao, Y.: 1992, 'Turbulent Dispersion in Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layers: an Application of a Lagrangian Model', Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 59, 363-385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shao, Y., Hacker, J.M., and Schwerdtfeger, P.: 1991, 'The Structure of Turbulence in a Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layer', Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 117, 1299-1324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedman, A. S. and Högström, U.: 1983, 'Turbulent Characteristics of a Shallow Convective Internal Boundary Layer', Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 25, 271-287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stunder, M. J. and SethuRaman, S.: 1986, 'A Statistical Evaluation and Comparison of Coastal Point Source Dispersion Models', Atmos. Environ. 34, 301-315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, D. J.: 1987, 'Criteria for the Selection of Stochastic Models of Particle Trajectories in Turbulent Flows', J. Fluid Mech. 180, 529-556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkatram, A.: 1986, 'An Examination of Methods to Estimate the Height of the Coastal Internal Boundary Layer', Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 36, 149-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weil, J. C.: 1990, 'A Diagnosis of the Asymmetry in Top-Down and Bottom-Up Diffusion Using a Lagrangian Stochastic Model', J. Atmos. Sci. 47, 501-515.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisman, B.: 1976, 'On the Criteria for the Occurrence of Fumigation Inland from a Large Lake - A Reply', Atmos. Environ. 12, 172-173.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ohba, R., Shao, Y. & Kouchi, A. A Wind Tunnel and Numerical Investigation of Turbulent Dispersion in Coastal Atmospheric Boundary Layers. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 87, 255–273 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000941406502

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000941406502

Navigation