Simulation of mixing depths incorporating the urban heat island effect

S M Khan; Rodney W Simpson

doi:10.1023/A:1011966031892

Back

Simulation of mixing depths incorporating the urban heat island effect

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Simulation of mixing depths incorporating the urban heat island effect

S M Khan and Rodney W Simpson

Environmental Modeling & Assessment, Vol.6(3), pp.183-193

2001

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011966031892

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011966031892View

Published Version

Abstract

Environmental Sciences

Information and Computing Sciences

Mathematical Sciences

effect

heat

height

island

mixing

The main objective of this paper was to establish the effect of anthropogenic heat flux on the formation of mixing depth specially in urban areas. In this study an energy balance mixing depth model was developed for the simulation of mixing depth incorporating the heat island effect. To demonstrate the effect of heat island, mixing depths were simulated under two conditions. Under the first condition, hourly gridded anthropogenic heat flux and variant surface characteristics were considered, while under the second condition anthropogenic heat flux term was ignored and constant surface characteristics were considered throughout the modelling domain. The release of anthropogenic heat flux in the urban environment was found to be responsible for the growth of the unstable layer in the lower atmosphere even during the night. This resulted in higher mixing depth values in urban areas compared to the surrounding countryside. The maximum differential surfaces sensible heat flux between urban and rural areas was estimated as 130 W/m2. From the simulation of mixing depth, it was revealed that the maximum increment in mixing depth in urban areas was 300 m due to the heat island effect. This increment in mixing depth in urban areas can provide an extra space for dilution and mixing of pollutants.

Details

Title: Simulation of mixing depths incorporating the urban heat island effect
Authors: S M Khan (Author) - Queensland Environmental Protection Agency
Rodney W Simpson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Environmental Modeling & Assessment, Vol.6(3), pp.183-193
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2001
DOI: 10.1023/A:1011966031892
ISSN: 1420-2026
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449804302621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

5 File views/ downloads

682 Record Views

4 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites