Overwater dispersion in coastal regions

Air pollution sources such as oil platforms and ships are sometimes located near coastlines where the plumes can impact population centers. Models of overwater dispersion must account for the stability of the overwater boundary layer. An overwater dispersion model based on the standard Gaussian formula is described which uses measurements of the air-sea temperature difference, the wind speed, and the mixing depth to predict concentration patterns at the coastline. Internal boundary layers and complex terrain at the coastline are accounted for. This new model is evaluated using the results of three tracer experiments in United States coastal zones.