Behavior of the wind and geomorphic features controlling the movement of pollutants released into the atmosphere by the industrial district of pirapora, minas gerais, brazil

Air pollution plumes emanating from industrial areas account for a significant proportion of compounds released into the atmosphere. The trajectory followed by the pollutants are subject to variables that include the properties of the material released, the weather conditions and surface characteristics. This paper presents an analysis of the upward movement of plumes of atmospheric particles emitted by the industrial district of Pirapora-MG. The methodology includes the study of winddirection and speed; mapping the extent and direction of the plumes in motion by satellite imaging; and assessment of the geomorphological conditions based on field surveys and SRTM data. The regional history of atmospheric dynamics is characterized by winds from the northeast (NE) which funnel the plumes to the southwest (SW). Geomorphology controls dispersion through two geomorphological corridors (NE-SW) and (E-W). bounded by orographic barriers averaging 600m and 800m in size. The maximum reach of the plume was 128.5 km into the western quadrant (W). This quadrant was exposed to the highest level of environmental risk due to the deposition of pollutants carried by winds from the east (E). The satellite images associated with wind direction and relief features allow for identification of the areas with the highest possibility of air quality degradation and accumulation of particulate matter. These results will be important to themanagement of studies on contamination in environmental compartments of receptors (soil and vegetation) and may subsidize environmental management programs as well as assist in decision-making by public officials.