Observations and simulations with linked numerical PBL and air pollution models and a Gaussian model under low wind speed conditions: a case study of the urban-industrial Linz area

A one-week-long field study was carried out to investigate dispersion conditions and SO2 patterns under low wind speed conditions in the industrial city of Linz. Meteorological fields generated with the URBMET PBL model were used as input for a 28 hour simulation of the SO2 concentrations with a Eulerian model. Results were compared with the operational Gaussian model of the Austrian meteorological service. On the basis of balloon soundings at two sites, horizontal temperature profiles evaluated from car trips and the stationary observational network wind, temperature and SO2 patterns were analysed and used to evaluate model results.