Identification of air pollutant sampling period using horizontal dilution potential

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Air Quality Management

Background:

• Assessing atmospheric pollutant dispersion is crucial for environmental monitoring.
• Understanding horizontal dilution potential informs air quality sampling strategies.
• Existing models may not fully capture temporal variations in atmospheric dispersion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a new model for estimating horizontal dilution potential.
• To analyze the seasonal variation of horizontal dilution potential using wind data.
• To provide insights for designing effective air quality sampling networks.

Main Methods:

• Developed a model using mean wind speed and wind direction variation.
• Applied the model to hourly wind data from Vadodara, Gujarat over one year.
• Estimated monthly horizontal dilution potential.

Main Results:

• Horizontal dilution potential exhibits gradual annual variation.
• Limited dilution potential observed during the post-monsoon months (October-November).
• High dilution potential observed during the pre-monsoon months (May-June).

Conclusions:

• The proposed model effectively estimates horizontal dilution potential.
• Seasonal variations in dilution potential impact air quality monitoring.
• Findings support optimized air quality sampling network design and duration for source apportionment studies.