An application of a simple Monte Carlo dispersion model in complex terrain

This paper discusses an attempt to investigate, air pollution transport problems by utilizing simple three-dimensional Monte Carlo schemes for instantaneous and continuous source releases in complex terrain. Observations of near-neutral balloon trajectories in Nisyros (Greece), a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea with highly complex terrain are used to gage the accuracy of mass-consistent flow algorithms for use in Monte Carlo schemes. Problems with the reproduction of the trajectories in such conditions are discussed. The mass-consistent algorithms which are frugal with respect to input data requirements and computational resources are shown to provide adequate fields for pollution advection computations. An example of such a concentration computation resulting from the operation of a proposed geothermal power plant is also presented.