Abstract
Six complex terrain dispersion models recommended by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency were investigated using a hypothetical case in which a plume approaches complex terrain. The six models considered were Valley, CTSCREEN, COMPLEX 1, SHORTZ, RTDM, and CTDMPLUS, the latter four being closely studied. Highest concentrations were predicted for 48 receptors and plume behaviors were compared for stable and unstable meteorological conditions. Under stable conditions, ground-level concentrations were determined by the height of the plume centerline above the terrain. The concentrations estimated by SHORTZ and COMPLEX I were higher than those estimated by CTSCREEN, with CTDMPLUS predicting the lowest concentrations. In particular, the height of the lift midpoint, as well as the co.nterline of the plume, are important in the model calculation of CTDMPLUS. Under unstable conditions, the vertical dispersion plays a key role in determining ground -level concentrations. For this case, concentrations predicted by CTDMPLUS were the 'highest, whereas those predicted by SHORTZ were the lowest. Concentration distributions predicted by CTDMPLUS are quite similar to typical Gaussian distributions even on complex terrain, except for a slight shift of the plume centerline due to the of(tract of the geostrophic wind. In addition,24-hour average concentrations were estimated for comparison with results from the Valley model. Among the four models studied closely, CTDMPLUS predicted the lowest 24-hour average concentrations, but the concentrations estimated by Valley were lower than those estimated by CTDMPLUS.
