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Estimation of Horizontal Pollution Potential by Calculating Impact Area for Patiala, Punjab Using Wind Data

Abhishek Gupta & Amit Dhir

This paper presents estimation of horizontal pollution potential due to an air pollution source using impact area diagrams. Weather monitoring station was installed at an altitude of 10 m from the ground to collect wind data of Patiala in Punjab province of India. The data was collected for the period commencing from October, 2010 to September, 2011 with an interval of 1 h which was further grouped into seven wind speed ranges. Change in wind direction rotates the impact distance that has been approximated using standard deviation of change in wind direction. Standard deviation was calculated using Yamartino method and thus, impact area has been calculated. The experimental data reveals that 50% of the wind speed data comes under calm period due to extremely low wind velocities. The maximum impact area noticed was 41 m2 in the month of November 2010 and 21m2 in the month of February as well as March, 2011. Impact area was predominant towards east direction for whole of the study period. Worst condition of pollution was observed in the month of June as impact area was minimal. In general, the horizontal pollution potential of the area has been found to be low for most of the study period, thus resulting in high concentration of pollutants adjoining the source.