The study of the meteorological conditions of an area helps predict the dispersion potential of pollutants in the atmosphere. Pollutants released into the atmosphere are transported, diffused and eventually removed from the atmosphere by physical and meteorological mechanisms. These mechanisms are as a result of thermal and mechanical turbulence within the boundary layer of the earth.
Four basic elements of the atmosphere – wind, moisture, pressure and energy content – influence the weather conditions of the atmosphere, causing variations in diurnal and nocturnal, as well as seasonal observations. The study of these elements, in the form of recorded hourly average weather data, helps to understand the mechanisms of pollutant dispersion within the region.
A wind rose provides graphic representation of prevailing winds by indicating the proportion or percentage of time the wind blows from various directions and at various speeds. Wind speed and wind direction determines how quickly pollutants are dispersed from their sources.
Temperature is one of the essential elements of weather and climate. It is significant in determining seasonal and diurnal variation in surface heating, which is essential for determining surface circulation patterns. Ambient temperature also influences the impact of plume buoyancy, determining the extent to which emissions are projected and dispersed from their sources.
Rainfall is the most common and easiest to measure form of precipitation. It is measured in inches or millimetres using a rain gauge. Rainfall is one of the effective mechanisms for the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere; hence it is an essential weather component in air pollution studies. A “trace of precipitation” is reported when the amount of rainfall is less than 0.254 mm.
Relative humidity is the ratio of the actual water vapour content (moisture in the air) compared to the amount of water vapour required for saturation (maximum moisture the air can "hold") at a particular temperature and pressure. Humidity can influence the amount of precipitation recorded in a region and can also influence the impact of air pollution on visibility.
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