ATSC 500Problem Set 1Due 2:30 PM, Fri. Sep. 25, 2009

For this problem set you will have to dig in the Internet, visit the library, or even interview experts at UBC, and make your own decisions. Remember to acknowledge every source of information. For example, if you write something you learnt from interviewing Roland Stull conclude with “(Roland Stull, personal communication)”.

I expect you to work very thoroughly like a researcher. You are encouraged to work with peers and seek any help you need, but eventually you have to consolidate and present all information yourself. Some pointers what I am looking for:

-Using all the information given

-Stating all assumptions

-Comprehensiveness/completeness

-Addressing counter arguments, weaknesses, and possible future improvements

-Discussing alternatives

-Supporting your conclusions with evidence

  1. Imagine a meteorology consultant commissioned by Metro Vancouver to assess current and future regional air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV). The two pollutants of greatest concern in the LFV are ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Their concentrations are complicated functions of a number of different anthropogenic and natural emissions, chemical processes, and meteorology. In this exercise we will focus on meteorology.
  2. Describe (pictures will be very helpful) the different flow structures in the LFV during fair weather conditions. Sort them from largest to smallest scale. You may find the map in LFV.jpg useful.
  3. Make the crude assumption that PM2.5 is emitted primarily by marine traffic along the coast of Vancouver and cars mostly in the Vancouver area. (In reality, photochemistry in the summer leads to the production of PM2.5 from primary pollutants in addition to primary emissions of PM2.5.) Describe a 36-hour period of summer fair weather conditions from morning first day until evening second day of PM2.5 transport in the LFV. You may assume that you are starting off with a relatively clean atmosphere, say after a couple of rainy days. Consider this purely a transport question, ignoring chemistry or potential settling of PM2.5. Where and when do you expect particularly high concentrations?
  1. Choose from the literature a paper on a field campaign in complex terrain, but not in the LFV. When on campus you have access to all online journals at UBC library. You will typically find such papers in journals like Boundary-Layer Meteorology, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Monthly Weather Review, Atmospheric Environment, and others. The methods section of the paper should explain the instrumentation used. You have the advantage of hind sight. Based on the results in the paper, critically assess the measurement methods the authors used and suggest how the field campaign could have been improved (without throwing extra millions into the grant proposal) or how a follow up campaign should be designed. Also argue if and how the field campaign could and should be supplemented with other means of investigation in the atmospheric sciences. You can find information on instrumentation in chapter 10 of the textbook.