Honors Program Theses
Award/Availability
Open Access Honors Program Thesis
First Advisor
Alan Czarnetzki
Abstract
Boundary layer parameters were analyzed for high impact fine-particulate pollution days for the years 2006 through 2009 in Potosi, Wisconsin. Potosi has seen recent 24-hour PM2.s design values at or near the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Every sampling date in the years 2006 through 2009 with a 24- hour PM2.5 particulate concentration above the year's trend line was studied as were the cleanest 10 days of each year. In particular, composite upper air profiles were constructed using observations from the nearby radiosonde stations, surface and S00mb weather maps were retrieved, the virtual potential temperature profiles were calculated and back trajectories were modeled. The most noticeable relationships between the atmospheric conditions and high fine-particulate concentrations were found to be with the resultant wind direction, temperature inversions at or near the surface and the atmospheric stability as determined by the virtual potential temperature profile. The dirtiest cases studied occurred with resultant wind direction coming largely from the south partnered with a noticeably strong temperature inversion off the surface. The average virtual potential temperature profile for each year studied consistently showed a stable atmosphere with no noticeable mixed layer for the dirtiest days. Therefore, on days with high average PM2.5 concentrations, the atmosphere resists vertical mixing and produces greater concentrations at the surface.
Year of Submission
2010
Department
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University Honors Designation
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors
Date Original
2010
Object Description
1 PDF file (41 pages)
Copyright
©2010 Sean K. Newlin
Recommended Citation
Newlin, Sean K., "Analysis of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Characteristics and the Synoptic-Scale Weather Pattern at the Potosi, WI SLAMS Monitor" (2010). Honors Program Theses. 830.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpt/830
Comments
Page 35 was missing from the scanned print document.
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