The dispersion of material in the atmospheric boundary layer: The basis for generalization.

Abstract

The purpose is to summarize the basis on which it is possible to prescribe general laws for the action of the atmospheric boundary layer in dispersing and diluting pollutants. It is, of course, implicit in this statement that there is some extent of order in the essentially turbulent structure of the layer and in the processes of transfer which the turbulence brings about. To that extent it is possible to think in terms of a quasi-ideal flow, governed by simplified equations of motion and thermodynamics, and characteristed by a limited number of prescribable physical parameters. On the other hand there are important aspects of airflow (e.g. that over irregular terrain) which are not describable in such simple terms and which must be given special consideration. In this lecture the authors first recall briefly certain outstanding features which are essential to the subsequent considerations of dispersion. (from paper)