A contribution to solve the atmospheric diffusion equation with eddy diffusivity depending on source distance

Abstract

An integral solution of the atmospheric diffusion equation considering wind speed as a function of vertical height and eddy diffusivity as a function of both downwind distance from the source and vertical height is presented. The near-source dispersion problem is investigated comparing a vertical eddy diffusivity function of distance from the source against their asymptotic limit. The results suggest that the inclusion of the memory effect as modeled by Taylor’s theory, improves the description of the turbulent transport process of atmospheric effluent released by a low continuous source in convective conditions.