Regional dispersion of oxidized sulfur in Central Chile
Author
dc.contributor.author
Olivares, G.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Gallardo Klenner, Laura
Author
dc.contributor.author
Langner, J.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Aarhus, B.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2019-01-29T17:51:50Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2019-01-29T17:51:50Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2002
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Atmospheric Environment 36 (2002) 3819–3828
Identifier
dc.identifier.issn
13522310
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00286-8
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/163586
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Chile has a long tradition of exploiting mineral resources, particularly copper (Cu). One of the largest Cu smelters,
Caletones, located some 150 km south of the country’s capital, Santiago, in Central Chile, is responsible for about 0.4%
of about 70 Tg S/yr oxidized sulfur (SOx) emitted by anthropogenic sources worldwide. Santiago, a megacity with 5
million inhabitants, stands for about 5Gg S/yr. The average meteorological conditions are unfavorable for the dispersion
of pollutants in this area. All this poses risks for human health and vegetation. Also, downwind from these polluted areas
there may be large-scale impacts on cloud properties and on oxidative cycles. Here, we present the first attempt to assess
the regional distribution of SOx in Central Chile using a dispersion model (MATCH) driven with data from a limited
area weather forecast model (HIRLAM). Emphasis has been given to the impact of Cu smelters upon urban air quality,
particularly that of Santiago. Six 1-month long periods were simulated for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999. These periods
span over a broad range of typical meteorological conditions in the area including El Ni*no and La Ni*na years. Estimates
of the regional dispersion and deposition patterns were calculated. The emissions from the large Cu smelters dominate
the distribution of SOx. A budget of SOx over an area of 200 200km2 around Santiago is presented. There is too low a
number of monitoring stations to perform a detailed evaluation of MATCH. Nevertheless, the model reproduces
consistently all the regional-scale characteristics that can be derived from the available observations.