Estimation of Meteorological Parameters for Air Quality Management: Coupling of Sodar Data with Simple Numerical Models

Abstract

In this paper an attempt is made to couple sodar data and simple numerical models to calculate the wind field and the boundary layer parameters that are relevant to air quality monitoring and studies. For this purpose, a diagnostic, mass-consistent wind field model and a mixed-layer model are used. The sodar data used in the analysis were taken from three Doppler sodars that were operating in the area of Rome, Italy. A similarity method for the convective boundary layer is used to calculate the surface fluxes of heat and momentum from sodar measurements of the mean horizontal wind and the vertical velocity variance. The calculated surface fluxes of heat and momentum are used as input data to the mixed-layer model. The day chosen for the analysis is 18 July 1992, on which a sea-breeze circulation developed in the area. The main characteristics of the wind field and the boundary layer structure are presented and discussed.