Question

Suppose the atmospheric (actual) lapse rate is more negative than the dry adiabatic lapse rate. How will this affect the dispersion of pollutants? Describe in terms of a parcel of polluted air that is emitted from a smokestack, using concepts of gravity and buoyancy.

Answer 1

HELLO THERE, GREETINGS.

SO, THE ELR IS MORE NEGATIVE THAN ALR IT IMPLIES THAT THE RISE IN TEMPERATURE OF SURROUNDING AIR IS MORE THAN THE RISE IN TEMPERATURE OF POLLUTANT. HENCE, THE POLLUTED PARCEL HAS TEMPERATURE LESSER THAN SURROUNDING AIR AND THUS IT WILL NO FURTHER RISE BUT RATHER SETTLE DOWN UNDER ITS OWN WEIGHT AND IT IS A STABLE ENVIRONMENT KIND OF SITUATION OR IS LIKE THE POSITIVE SUB ADIABATIC ENVIRONMENT WHERE POSITIVE ALR IS GREATER THAN POSITIVE ELR.