Gaussian dispersion model to estimate the dispersion of particulate matters (pm2.5) and sulfur dioxide (so2) concentrations on Tribal Land, Oklahoma

Abstract

Air qualityin most parts of Kay County is good and unlikely to cause major healthproblems. However, Kaw Nation wants to know if the concentration of Particulatematters (PM2.5) and Sulfur dioxide (SO?) released from power plants,refinery and carbon black plant in Oklahoma reaches the Tribal land at KanzaTravel Plaza, Braman, Kay Co. Oklahoma. Kanza Travel Plaza is located in thenorth central Oklahoma 22 miles Northwest of Ponca City at a latitude of36.9395 degrees North and longitude of -97.3453 degrees West. In order toestimate the concentration of PM2.5and SO2that reachesthe Tribal land, Kaw Nation run the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyregulatory air quality model called AERMOD (Version 15181). AERMOD is a steadystate plume model that measures dispersion of gases and particulate mattersfrom the source to the point of impact within source radius. The study sitesare flat and rural conditions with less complex terrain. Meteorological datarepresentative of the study area was preprocessed using AERMET program. AERMETprepares hourly surface data and upper air data. The hourly surface data wasobtained from Station #3965 (Stillwater Regional), while the upper air data wasobtained from Station #3948 (Norman). The Building parameters such as heightand length were processed using the building profile called BPIB. To calculatethe concentration of PM2.5and SO2air pollutantsreleased from the coal power plant the Gaussian air molding (AERMOD) usedControl, Source, Receptor, Metrological and Output pathways. The AERMOD resultindicates at least 19-26% of PM2.5and SO2released fromthe stacks of the power plants, refinery and carbon black plant into theatmosphere reaches the Tribal land. Based on the Gaussian air modeling (AERMODand BAM 1020 Continuous Air monitor) less than 12 µg/m3 of pollutanthas been captured that falls within the attainment zone as per the NationalAmbient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).