Locating air quality monitoring station using wind impact area diagram

Environ Monit Assess. 2008 Oct;145(1-3):113-8. doi: 10.1007/s10661-007-0020-9. Epub 2007 Nov 29.

Abstract

In this study a new methodology is suggested to approximate the impact area downwind of an air pollution source, where air quality monitoring can be carried out to capture the maximum pollutant concentration. Hourly wind speed for a given month is grouped in to different wind speed ranges and the distance of pollutant travel is approximated from the average wind speed of that wind speed range. Since change in wind direction causes the impact distance to rotate, its rotation is approximated by the SD of wind direction change. Using this approach, area or region down wind of a source is determined and plotted. The pattern of monthly change of wind is better represented by the new type of diagram as compared to the wind rose diagram.

MeSH terms

  • Air*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*