Any industry that produces atmospheric emissions in the form of smoke, steam, dustor odour will potentially requiredispersion modelling to investigate how the releases will dissipate and the effects these may have on the nearby environment. Dispersion modelling may also be required for transport based emissions such as roads, airports, bus stations and railways, as well as fugitive sources such as quarries and landfill sites. Any activity that results in substance release to air can be assessed through dispersion modelling to allow potential impacts to be investigated.
The prediction of changes in air quality as a result of new developments, such as factories, roads, power stations, or even supermarkets, is vital in providing sufficient protection to people’s health and well-being. These kinds of studies can determine potential impacts associated with the proposals and then identify any necessary changes to keep pollution levels below the air quality standards. Problems associated with existing sites, such as odour nuisance from food manufacturing, can also be assessed through dispersion modelling, and various mitigation measures considered reduce effects to an acceptable level.
What Is Involved in Dispersion Modelling
A dispersion modelling assessment requires the scientist to input a large number of parameters into a computer program to describe the pollution source being considered. Other data, such as terrain, building geometries and prevailing meteorological conditions is also included to try and represent actual conditions as closely as possible. Complex chemical reactions within the atmosphere can also be considered and the influence of localised effects such as sea-breezes and pollution deposition can be included. Dispersion models can often take many hours or even days to run due to the complexity of the equations being performed by the computer. The results of the model can then be interpreted to show pollution levels, changes in concentrations and even the potential for odour at any point within the modelling domain.
Due to the specialist nature of dispersion modelling it is necessary for experienced and qualified environmental consultants to undertake the relevant assessments. This ensures all results are accurate and be relied upon when making important decisions.
REC Ltd is a team of environmental consultants with decades of experience. They carry out dispersion modelling and air quality analysis throughout the UK.