Why is HYSPLIT less useful than CAMEO/ALOHA?

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AnJapan
Posts: 1
Joined: December 3rd, 2013, 12:48 am
Registered HYSPLIT User: No

Why is HYSPLIT less useful than CAMEO/ALOHA?

Post by AnJapan »

My full question is: Why is HYSPLIT less useful than CAMEO/ALOHA for transport and dispersion forecasts within 5 km (3 mi) of the release site?

Can someone help me please.
glenn.rolph
Posts: 362
Joined: November 7th, 2012, 1:39 pm
Registered HYSPLIT User: Yes

Re: Why is HYSPLIT less useful than CAMEO/ALOHA?

Post by glenn.rolph »

HYSPLIT's minimum time step is 1 minute, so the model cannot be used for transport less than the distance it takes for the pollutant to move in 1 minute. However, keep in mind that the meteorology may not adequately represent the transport/dispersion at the point of release regardless of the model time step. In general, for transport scales less than 1 km, the ALOHA model is recommended.

Glenn Rolph
KhanhHQ123
Posts: 1
Joined: December 3rd, 2013, 12:37 am
Registered HYSPLIT User: No

Re: Why is HYSPLIT less useful than CAMEO/ALOHA?

Post by KhanhHQ123 »

There are several reasons why HYSPLIT is not useful for close-range prediction. First, the turnaround time for a custom HYSPLIT run is long enough that a cloud of hazardous material could travel miles from the release site before the output becomes available. Second, HYSPLIT is a Lagrangian puff model designed for applications in wind fields that vary in space and time, while close to the source, plumes generally follow the typical straight-line transport pattern assumed by CAMEO/ALOHA.
HYSPLIT evaluations with field data have not focused on near-field scenarios. In contrast, CAMEO/ALOHA is designed for close-range applications and has been optimized for quick turnaround.

Hope this helps :D
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