Locally induced surface air confluence by complex terrain and its effects on air pollution in the valley of Mexico

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 39; no. 30; pp. 5481 - 5489
• Main Authors: Jazcilevich, Aron D., García, Agustín R., Caetano, Ernesto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Air flow in complex terrain; Air pollution modeling; Air quality; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Mexico City; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Central America; Mexico; America; Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico City; Air pollution modeling; Air quality; Air flow in complex terrain; Mexico City; Atmospheric circulation; Atmospheric condition; Urban area; Modeling; High atmospheric pollution episode; Spatial distribution; Confluence; Complex terrain; Topography; Atmospheric pollution forecasting; Air pollution; Numerical simulation; Mixing ratio; Concentration distribution
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.05.046

Using a meteorological computational model it is shown how, in the Valley of Mexico, a high pressure system together with the complex orography of the region induce the formation of a local confluence line. With the aid of a prognostic air quality model it is shown that the maximum pollutant mixing ratios are placed on and follow the confluence line which crosses over the most populated areas of Mexico City. This phenomenon provides an explanation of why and when pollutants assume its geographical distribution in the valley during high mixing ratio episodes.