Project description DEENESFRITPL 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. Show the project objective Hide the project objective 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. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencenatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsfluid dynamicsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware development Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-ADG-2014 - ERC Advanced Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Coordinator STIFTELSEN NILU Net EU contribution € 2 726 300,00 Address Instituttveien 18 2007 Kjeller Norway See on map Region Norge Oslo og Viken Viken Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all STIFTELSEN NILU Norway Net EU contribution € 2 726 300,00 Address Instituttveien 18 2007 Kjeller See on map Region Norge Oslo og Viken Viken Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 UNIVERSITAT WIEN Austria Net EU contribution € 73 700,00 Address Universitatsring 1 1010 Wien See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
