Assignment 8 (Air Pollution 2)

Determine the atmospheric stability for each of the following temperature profiles. Show all
works and explain choices.

Z,m T , 0C
i 1.5 -4.49
339 0.10

ii 12 28.05
279 19.67

iii 8 19.55
339 18.93

iv 2 -3.05
318 -6.21

v 10 6.0
202 3.09

vi 18 14.03
286 16.71

∆𝑇 0.10−(−4.49) 0.0136 1.36℃

i) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 339−1.5 1 100𝑚
1.36℃ / 100m > 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: unstable with inversion
∴ The air mass becomes unstable and rapid mixing and dilution of pollutants occurs.

∆𝑇 19.67−(28.05) −0.03139 −3.139℃

ii) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 279−12 1 100𝑚
3.3139℃ / 100m > 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: unstable

∆𝑇 18.93−(19.55) −1.5857×10−3 −0.1586℃

iii) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 339−8 1 100𝑚
0.1586℃ / 100m < 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: stable

∆𝑇 −6.21−(−3.05) −0.01 −1℃

iv) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 318−2 1 100𝑚
1℃ / 100m = 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: neutral
 ∆𝑇 3.09−(6.0) −0.01516 −1.5156℃
v) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 202−10 1 100𝑚
1.5156℃ / 100m < 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: unstable

∆𝑇 16.71−(14.03) 0.01 1℃
vi) = = × 100 =
∆𝑧 286−18 1 100𝑚
1℃ / 100m = 1℃ /100m ⟹ atmospheric stability: stable with inversion