Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Camera Observation and Modelling of 4D Tracer Dispersion in the Atmosphere

Project description

Gaining more insight into turbulence and tracer dispersion in the atmosphere

Atmospheric turbulence, especially how it affects tracer dispersion, can be measured using cameras sensitive to the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) sunlight by sulphur dioxide (SO2). This gas can be considered to be a passive tracer for such measurements. The ERC-funded COMTESSA project aims to better understand turbulence and plume dispersion using (SO2) observations,, advanced data analysis, and turbulence and dispersion modelling. Six custom-built UV cameras will measure SO2 densities from different viewing directions. The project will carry out experiments with puff and plume releases of SO2 from a tower. Specific turbulent phenomena will be examined using current SO2 sources such as smelters, power plants and volcanic fumaroles.

Objective

COMTESSA will push back the limits of our understanding of turbulence and plume dispersion in the atmosphere by bringing together full four-dimensional (space and time) observations of a (nearly) passive tracer (sulfur dioxide, SO2), with advanced data analysis and turbulence and dispersion modelling.

Observations will be made with six cameras sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and three cameras sensitive to infrared (IR) radiation. The UV cameras will be built specifically for this project where high sensitivity and fast sampling is important. The accuracy of UV and IR retrievals will be improved by using a state-of-the art-3D radiative transfer model.

Controlled puff and plume releases of SO2 will be made from a tower, which will be observed by all cameras, yielding multiple 2D images of SO2 integrated along the line of sight. The simultaneous observations will allow - for the first time - a tomographic reconstruction of the 3D tracer concentration distribution at high space (< 1 m) and time (>10 Hz) resolution. An optical flow code will be used to determine the eddy-resolved velocity vector field of the plume. Special turbulent phenomena (e.g. plume rise) will be studied using existing SO2 sources (e.g. smelters, power plants, volcanic fumaroles).

Analysis of the novel campaign observations will deepen our understanding of turbulence and tracer dispersion in the atmosphere. For instance, for the first time we will be able to extensively measure the concentration probability density function (PDF) in a plume not only near the ground but also at high-er altitudes; quantify relative and absolute dispersion; estimate the value of the Richardson-Obukhov constant, etc. We will also use the data to evaluate state-of-the-art LES and Lagrangian dispersion models and revise their underlying parameterizations.

COMTESSA’s vision is that the project results will lead to large improvements of tracer transport in all atmospheric models.

Host institution

STIFTELSEN NILU
Net EU contribution
€ 2 726 300,00
Address
INSTITUTTVEIEN 18
2027 Kjeller
Norway

See on map

Region
Norge Oslo og Viken Viken
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 2 726 300,00

Beneficiaries (2)