Air Quality

This equivalency course replaces the following course from the old master programme: CIE4707. It is identical to parts of the Atmospheric chemistry and Air pollution, meteorology and dispersion themes from module ENVM1700 in the new programme. Please see the study guide description of ENVM1700 and the information below. Please contact the module manager at the start of the module for registration and additional information.

In Atmospheric chemistry a range of fundamental concepts for understanding the key chemical processes that take place in the atmospheric environment will be introduced. These concepts will allow the students to identify, analyze, and explain certain atmospheric phenomena including physicochemical reactions, that will prove to be highly useful for the rest of the module. Apart from theory, simple experiments will be included during which the students will be able to get hands-on experience.

The following topics will be addressed:

• Background, composition, and structure of the atmosphere

• Concepts of atmospheric chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, lifetime, photochemistry, etc);

• From stratospheric to tropospheric chemistry;

• Chemistry in urban and rural environments;

• Basic properties of atmospheric aerosol particles;

• Processes involving atmospheric aerosols*;

• Impacts of air pollution on human health, the environment and climate.

Air Pollution Meteorology en Dispersion provides an in-depth understanding of how various atmospheric processes impact air pollutant transport, especially in urban environments. First, a number of fundamental concepts related to diffusion and dispersion (e.g., turbulence mixing, plume rise, deposition) are introduced. Then, different types of pollutant sources (e.g., point, line, area) and associated mathematical equations for diffusion are derived from the first principles. More advanced approaches, based on statistical and similarity theories, are discussed next. As complementary to the theoretical discussions, a state-of-the-art dispersion modelling software is utilized for further understanding of real-life pollutant transport problems. Lastly, accidental release of hazardous materials in mega-cities and related emergency response management will be briefly touched upon.

The following topics will be addressed:

• Introduction; Gaussian diffusion models;

• Plume rise, settling, and deposition;

• Statistical theories of puff and plume diffusion;

• Similarity theories of turbulence and diffusion;

• Modelling dispersion at city scale;

• Impacts of highways and buildings on urban air quality;

• Accidental releases and emergency response management.