Definition of a dispersion model for atmospheric pollutants in the city of Cuenca

In view of the problems of air pollution detected in the city of Cuenca for several years, it has been working on air quality monitoring. This monitoring has allowed a sufficiently rich database to initiate a deeper work in regard to the dispersion and transport of the pollutants detected. In this context, it is proposed as the objective of the project: identify a model that properly simulates the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants when it is in an area with the topographic and scrubographic characteristics such as the city of Cuenca. To achieve this objective, it is proposed to work in the first place in the collection of all the existing information regarding the air pollution of the city, since 2003, in which the first studies were made. With this there will be a history, and an emission inventory, as well as a history of the weather conditions. These data will be analyzed in order to establish whether it is necessary to make certain measurements to complete the information. Then three dispersion models will be taken (the IMMPROG, Airviro and Canarina models are initially proposed), these models will be applied with the existing data and a deep study of the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, their limitations and their degree of approximation will be made. The most appropriate model will be chosen and it will work with it, validating it with real data for six months. The results obtained from this research will give the possibility of applying an appropriate dispersion model that allows predicting the trend of pollution in the different areas of the city, as well as forecasting the possible critical episodes, and even toxicological problems that derive from these situations.

8th RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION AND 3rd RESEARCH PROGRAM COMPETITION