Title: Analysis of the internal boundary layer formation on tropical coastal regions using SODAR data in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Authors: Leonardo Aragão Ferreira Da Silva; Silvana Di Sabatino; Luiz Claudio Gomes Pimentel; Fernando Pereira Duda

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Centro de Tecnologia, bloco G/202, 21945-970, P.O. Box 68-503, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna (UniBO), Viale Berti Pichat 6/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy ' Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna (UniBO), Viale Berti Pichat 6/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy ' Department of Meteorology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rua Athos da Silveira Ramos, 274, Bloco G1, 21941-916, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Centro de Tecnologia, bloco G/202, 21945-970, P.O. Box 68-503, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: This paper investigates local circulation features in the industrialised coastal region of Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A better understanding of local circulation affects directly the choice of suitable dispersion models and/or development of new ones to plan mitigation strategies to reduce air pollution in the area. The topographic characteristics and the variety of atmospheric phenomena acting over the area suggest the formation of internal boundary layers (IBLs) during cold front and bay breeze flows with direction upstream of the major industries. Vertical profiles of main meteorological variables are evaluated together with surface weather stations and satellite data to derive a detailed physics-based description of the various stages of bay breeze in terms of the main forces, duration, and atmospheric stabilities. It is found that the development phase of the sea breeze coincides with the largest bay/land differences and, consequently, it is the most pronounced condition to observe the IBL formation.

Keywords: sea breeze; acoustic soundings; sonic detection and ranging; SODAR; vertical profiles; internal boundary layer; IBL; tropical meteorology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2017.089403

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2017 Vol.62 No.2/3/4, pp.136 - 154

Received: 22 Aug 2016
Accepted: 24 Jan 2017

Published online: 23 Jan 2018 *

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