A Numerical Modeling Technique for Estimating Sulfur Dioxide Dry Deposition Due to Local Source Emissions

Abstract

This paper describes a methodology for estimating the effect of local source emissions on dry deposition of sulfur dioxide in regions of complex terrain. Airflow in complex terrain is simulated by a time-dependent dynamical model for the meteorological fields. The results of the dynamical model are used to drive a semi-stochastic Lagrangian dispersion model in order to evaluate concentrations resulting from local source emissions. The Lagrangian dispersion model is coupled with a dry deposition treatment which includes the effects of both surface properties and micrometeoroiogical factors on deposition.

A sample application is discussed for a source in the Shenandoah Valley. The largest concentrations and deposition rates were obtained shortly after sunrise, during the transition from the nocturnal to the daytime flow regime. These results suggest that dry deposition may be episodic.