Title: Simulating building downwash of heavy metals by using virtual sources: methodology and results

Authors: W. Lefebvre; G. Cosemans; K. Van de Vel; S. Janssen; C. Mensink; D. Celis; F. Sleeuwaert; H. Van Rompaey; F. Blommaert

Addresses: Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, Afdeling Lucht, Milieu en Communicatie, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium ' Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, Afdeling Lucht, Milieu en Communicatie, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium

Abstract: When simulating concentration fields in the direct vicinity of plants emitting heavy metals by using the bi-Gaussian model IFDM and the reported emissions, the simulated concentrations were much lower than the measured ones. Detailed analysis of these results showed that this was due to building downwash. We show that it is possible for a bi-Gaussian model to simulate correct concentration levels by inserting extra virtual sources. It is shown that inverse modelling can be used to produce detailed and validated concentration maps of the surroundings of the industrial site and that building downwash has an important effect on local concentrations.

Keywords: building downwash; inverse modelling; heavy metals; environmental pollution; simulation; industrial plants; plant emissions; virtual sources; pollutant concentrations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2012.049668

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2012 Vol.48 No.1/2/3/4, pp.214 - 222

Published online: 19 Nov 2014 *

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