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Abstract
Our ability to simulate atmospheric processes that affect the life cycle of pollution is reviewed. The transport process is considered on three scales (a) the near-source or single-plume dispersion problem, (b) the multiple-source dispersion problem, and (c) the long-range transport. Modeling the first of these is shown to be well within the capability of generally available techniques, although determining the input parameters is often difficult. The second scale has been well studied within the context of urban diffusion and is a very productive area of current research. Finally, long-range transport is treated mainly as a meteorological problem. The state-of-the-art in modeling the various meteorological processes is reviewed. Removal of pollutants is discussed in the form of both dry deposition and precipitation scavenging. It is suggested that dry removal is especially effective in forested areas, and that the forests may enhance accumulation of pollutants. An approximate transport model is developed which is used to calculate the ambient concentration of SO
2 throughout the United States. Associated calculations include dry deposition and the ratio of dry to wet removal for each State of the contiguous United States.
Parent Publication
Citation
Fox, Douglas G. 1976. Modeling atmospheric effects - an assessment of the problems. In: Dochinger, L. S.; Seliga, T. A., eds. Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-23. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 57-85
