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METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS IN THE VICINITY OF A COAL BURNING POWER PLANT
Citation:
Crescenti, G.H. AND J. Gaynor. METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS IN THE VICINITY OF A COAL BURNING POWER PLANT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/A-95/043.
Description:
High concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are commonly observed uring the cool season in the vicinity of a 2.5 GW coal burning power plant located in the Mae Moh Valley of northern Thailand. The power plant is the source for nearly all of the observed So, since there are no other major industrial activities in this region. hese high pollution fumigation events occur almost on a daily basis, usually lasting for several hours between late morning and early afternoon. ne-g M3 hour average SO2, concentrations commonly exceed 1000 ug/m-3 as a result, an increase in the number of respiratory type health complaints have been observed by local clinics during this time of year. eteorological data were acquired from a variety of observing platforms during an intensive field study from December 1993 to February 1994. Hz single-beam monostatic sodar, located about 3 km to the west of the power plant, was used to record the thermal structure of the atmosphere. 15 MHz radar wind profiler and radio acoustic sounding system (RASS), collocated with the sodar, were used to collect wind and temperature profiles. n-situ meteorological measurements were made from a 100 m tower located near the power plant. hose measurements included horizontal and vertical wind velocity, air temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation. n addition, turbulent flux measurements were acquired by a sonic anemometer. O2 measurements were made at seven monitoring sites scattered throughout the valley. hese data were used to examine the atmospheric processes which are responsible for these high pollution fumigation events.