Modeling Air-Quality in Complex Terrain Using Mesoscale and Dispersion models – Part I: Evaluation of a mesoscale model

Air-quality in a complex terrain (Colorado-River-Valley/Grand-Canyon Area, Southwest U.S.) is modeled using a higher-order closure mesoscale model and a higher-order closure dispersion model. Non-reactive tracers have been released in the Colorado-River valley, during winter and summer 1992, to study the dispersion of pollutants from a coal-fired power plant. The main objectives of the extensive field program MOHAVE (";Measurements Of Haze And Visibility Experiment";) were to investigate and identify the possible short- and long-term impacts of atmospheric pollutants from major urban areas and industrial sources on the Grand Canyon and its vicinity. In part I, the mesoscale model (MIUU model) is described. The model results are compared with data from the meteorological network of surface and upper-air stations within MOHAVE. The model results are also compared with those from another mesoscale model (MM5). In part II, the dispersion model is described. It is an Eulerian diffusion model. The model simulations of air-quality in the MOHAVE complex terrain during the program are compared with the available data. Keywords: Mesoscale modeling, Dispersion, Air-quality in complex terrain [Global Jnl Pure & Appl. Sci. Vol.9(3) 2003: 375-380