Regional transport model of atmospheric sulfates

A regional transport model of atmospheric sulfates was developed. This quasi-Lagrangian three-dimensional grid numerical model uses a detailed SO/sub 2/ emission inventory of major anthropogenic sources in the eastern U.S. region and observed meteorological data during an episode as inputs. The model accounts for advective transport and turbulent diffusion of the pollutants. The chemical transformation of SO/sub 2/ and SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ and the deposition of the species at the earth's surface are assumed to be linear processes at specified constant rates. The numerical model can predict the daily average concentrations of SO/sub 2/ and SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ at all receptor locations in the grid region during the episode. Because of the spatial resolution of the grid, this model is particularly suited to investigate the effect of tall stacks in reducing the ambient concentration levels of sulfur pollutants. The formulations and assumptions of the regional sulfate transport model are presented. The model inputs and results are discussed. Isopleths of predicted SO/sub 2/ and SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations are compared with the observed ground level values