TURBULENT DISPERSION IN COASTAL ATMOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LAYERS: AN APPLICATION OF A LANGRANGIAN MODEL

A Lagrangian model is applied to simulate the dispersion of passive tracers (in particular, water vapour) in coastal atmospheric boundary layers under onshore wind conditions. When applied to convective boundary layers over uniform surfaces, the mode gives results in agreement with those of similar studies. Numerical simulation of turbulent dispersion in coastal areas also reproduces the basic features known from experimental studies. Under onshore wind conditions, the humidity field is plume-shaped with the maximum vertical transport being over land downstream of the coast line. The model shows that the surface sensible heat flux over land, the static stability of the onshore air flow and the onshore wind speed are the most important factors determining the basic features of turbulent dispersion in coastal areas.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Boundary-Layer Meteorology, v 59 n 4, June 1992, p 363 [23 p, 29 ref, 14 fig]
• Authors:
  • Shao, Y
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Atmosphere; Boundary layer; Coasts; Dispersers; Earth; Mathematical models
• Uncontrolled Terms: Coastal regions; Numerical models
• Old TRIS Terms: Dispersing
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00703344
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM