Title: A Gaussian puff model with optimal interpolation for air pollution modelling assessment

Authors: K.M. Mok, A.I. Miranda, K.U. Leong, C. Borrego

Addresses: Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomas Pereira, Taipa, Macau SAR, China. ' Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. ' Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomas Pereira, Taipa, Macau SAR, China. ' Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: A Gaussian plume model was modified to simulate the dispersion of non-reactive air pollutants under non-homogeneous wind conditions through a multi-puff approach. It was applied to the city of Lisbon and evaluated by comparison with measured sulphur dioxide data, showing a reasonable skill to estimate the transport and dispersion of pollutants under complex wind field and different atmospheric conditions. The modelling results were integrated with observed data, based on correlation functions determined from historical values, to obtain the improved analytical results by using optimal interpolation. A significant improvement over the predictions by the Gaussian puff model alone was achieved.

Keywords: Gaussian plume models; puff approach; optimal interpolation; urban air quality; ground-level concentration; air pollution; pollution modelling; pollutant dispersion; Portugal; sulphur dioxide.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.021135

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.35 No.1, pp.111 - 137

Published online: 05 Nov 2008 *

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