Applications of Online Trajectory and Dispersion Models
Objectives: Explore the application and limitations of air quality models while investigating the role of synoptic situations on plume dispersion.
- Assume a potentially large explosive point source in a chosen location, with a major release of pollutants. Examine and describe the transport of material pollutants over 72 hours after the 6 hour release of materials using the HYSPLIT online trajectory model.
- Plot synoptic maps for the chosen period of time of the given release of pollutants from an online map plotting archive. Investigate the possibility of precipitation and cloud interference using archived satellite imagery.
- Assuming the data used is forecast data, provide advice on the nature of impacts and the affected regions over the 72 hour period by comparing two different dates of potential pollutant release and illustrating how differences in synoptic situation produce different impacts.
Abstract
Online trajectory and dispersion models were used to estimate and compare the behaviour of spring and winter dust storm pathways from the Australian Lake Eyre basin. Based on a 2009 spring dust storm, the Hysplit method approximated the spatial extent and persistence of Lake Eyre dust transport within the northeast coast of Australia, and cross Pacific to Indonesia and New Zealand. This was compared to winter dust storm conditions projected for June 23, 2009. The spatial and temporal extent of these dust pathways suggest significant local and international, environmental and human health impacts. Although, it should also be noted that these models of study are limited by restrained time parameters and lacking information on temperature, humidity, and complex terrain effects.
See full report here: LakeEyreDustStorm_FinalReport
Source Links & Statements
Barlow, K. (2009, September 25). Dust storm chokes Sydney. ABC News. Retrieved from www.abc.net.au/news/2009-09-23/dust-storm-chokes-sydney/1438510
McGowan, H.A., McTainsh, G.H., Zawar-Reza, P., Sturman, A.P. (2000). Identifying regional dust pathways: application of kinematic trajectory modelling to a trans-Tasman case. 26:5, 633-647. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1096-9837(200006)25:6%3C633::AID-ESP102%3E3.0.CO;2-J/full
McGowan, H.A., Clark, A. (2008). Identification of dust transport pathways from Lake Eyre, Australia using Hysplit. Atmospheric Environment. 42:29, 6915-6925. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231008004950?_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_origin=gateway&_docanchor=&md5=b8429449ccfc9c30159a5f9aeaa92ffb
McKendry, I. (2018). Hemispheric scale transport processes [PDF document] Retrieved from http://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geob402/lecture.html