Estimation of Pollutant Transport and Concentration Distributions over Complex Terrain of Southern California Using Airborne Lidar

Abstract

Airborne lidar data collected during the South Coast Air Basin/Southeast Desert Oxidant Transport Study in summer 1981 were used to provide estimates of concentration distributions of particles and oxidants, and of pollutant transport in mountain passes and over mountain slopes. The results support the idea that for certain situations, given a few representative in situ measurements for use in calibration, airborne lidar might be used to develop detailed concentration fields. When combined with appropriate measurements of wind speed profiles with height, useful estimates of pollutant transport flux might also be provided.