Modeling the Process of Pollutant Spread in the Atmosphere with Account for the Capture of Particles by Vegetation Elements

Abstract

The problems of forecasting the pollutant concentration in the atmosphere by means of mathematical modeling remain one of the most relevant scientific areas. Such a conclusion can be drawn from the analysis of scientific publications related to the problems of mathematical modeling of complex processes of mass transfer in the atmosphere. In this regard, the aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model for the transport and diffusion of emissions of polluting particles of technogenic and natural origin and an effective numerical algorithm for solving the problem with a high-order approximation in time and space variables. A feature of the proposed mathematical apparatus is that, in addition to the main factors, the model takes into account the phenomenon of the capture of aerosol particles by elements of vegetation in the land environment. The solution algorithm is based on the method for splitting the original problem into physical factors: advection, diffusion, and absorption of a substance in the air mass of the atmosphere. Computational experiments were conducted using real meteorological parameters and data on sources of atmospheric pollution. An analysis of the results of numerical calculations showed their good agreement with the data of field measurements and the results obtained by other authors. Thus, the adequacy of the developed mathematical model and the accuracy of the numerical algorithm were sufficiently substantiated. In the course of experiments, the influence of the main factors on the process of transfer and diffusion of particles of harmful substances in the atmosphere was established. Particular attention was paid to the study of how the green cover on the terrain affects the propagation of particle concentration fields; what portion of pollutants can be absorbed by vegetation elements compared to other types of the underlying surface. The practical outcome of the study is the possibility of developing recommendations to support decision-making on maintaining the ecological balance of the environment in industrial regions and protecting it from the possible negative impact of technogenic factors.