Air pollution modeling: a tool for management of regional air quality

Ambient air composition over the earth has undergone several changes. Anthropogenic pollutants generated locally often have regional air quality affected significantly. In addition to the short-term episodic effects, atmospheric pollutants are known to generate long-term adverse effects, which are difficult to forecast statistically. The air pollution dispersion modeling exercise forecasts fairly accurate air quality for a given emission scenario, incorporating geographical and meteorological conditions. Industrial Source Complex Dispersion Model is used to forecast ground level concentrations (GLC) of an industrial region as case study. The usefulness of mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques used to predict the horizontal and vertical pollutant concentrations of pollutants are explained in this paper. Finally a case study of an industrial area in Gujarat region is presented to arrive at setting up of air quality monitoring station for monitoring/management of regional air quality.