Plume Behavior in Environmental Engineering

This article discusses the different types of plumes that can occur in the atmosphere, depending on the ambient temperature conditions. Coning plumes occur under subadiabatic conditions, while looping plumes occur under unstable (superadiabatic) conditions. Fanning plumes occur under stable (subadiabatic) conditions. Fumigation is a potentially serious condition in which pollutants are caught under an inversion and are mixed owing to a strong lapse rate.

Questions

• What are the different types of plumes?
• What conditions are necessary for each type of plume to occur?
• What are the implications of each type of plume for air pollution?

Answers

• The different types of plumes are coning plumes, looping plumes, fanning plumes, and fumigation.
• Coning plumes occur under subadiabatic conditions, looping plumes occur under unstable (superadiabatic) conditions, fanning plumes occur under stable (subadiabatic) conditions, and fumigation occurs when pollutants are caught under an inversion.
• Coning plumes are less likely to disperse pollutants, while looping plumes are more likely to disperse pollutants. Fanning plumes are the most likely to disperse pollutants. Fumigation can trap pollutants near the ground, where they can be harmful to human health.