Atmospheric diffusion characteristics at a coastal site in the tropics

Abstract

Wind and temperature data (at 10 and 60 m) from a meteorological tower located at a coastal site are used in order to determine some of the thermal and turbulent properties of the boundary layer in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant. In a 'Norther' condition strong winds would carry air contaminants to Veracruz in a short period. Even though horizontal spread of the plume would be small in this condition, vertical mixing due to heating from below would enhance dilution. Land and sea-breeze winds show small values of horizontal dispersion. The Pasquill method for stability determination gives a higher frequency of unstable air conditions than the delta-t or sigma-theta methods during the day. At night sigma-theta and delta-t methods show better agreement.