Transport of Aerosolized Oil Droplets in Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Coupling Wind LiDAR Measurements and Large-Eddy Simulations
Implementing Organization
University of Houston
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$334,344
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Physical Aspects Research
Targeted Resources
Air-Sea Interactions
Project Description
The proposed research aims to develop a numerical tool for thorough predictions of production of aerosolized oil droplets at the sea-air interface, their transport within the marine atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and deposition over a coastal region. The scientific goals of the proposed project are to: 1) understand the role of ABL structure and wave motion on aerosol generation at the sea-air interface; 2) investigate effects of transitioning from the ocean to the coast on aerosol concentration and distribution; 3) develop eddy-diffusivity models for regional meteorology algorithms by avoiding the typical assumption of a flat and homogeneous ocean surface and including a realistic wave motion. This project will be conducted through two interrelated tasks: one LiDAR measurement campaign will be performed in the Galveston area, TX, to generate unprecedented simultaneous and co-located observations of wind speed and aerosol concentration, while high-fidelity wind-wave coupled large eddy simulations (LES) will be performed to investigate aerosol dynamics, and finally reproduce the LiDAR observations.
Contact
Giacomo Valerio IungoNone
valerio.iungo@utdallas.edu
Project Website
None
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