Role of Diurnal Atmospheric Stratification in Plume Development*

Buoyant plumes, propelled by concentrated heat and mass sources, are prevalent in nature. Originating from phenomena such as fires, volcanic eruptions, chimney smokestacks, and sea ice melting, they represent a crucial class of problems in atmospheric and ocean dynamics. The behavior of turbulent buoyant plumes is influenced by the characteristics of the plume source, topography, and background flow conditions. The atmospheric boundary layer, which varies diurnally from a few hundred to several thousand meters in height, significantly impacts the background flow conditions and consequently the plume dynamics. This numerical study aims to investigate the effect of diurnally varying atmospheric stratification on the dynamics of buoyant scalar plumes using large-eddy simulations. By understanding the mechanisms governing the initiation, development, and behavior of plume trajectories, this study aims to improve the understanding of plume dynamics and contribute to better planning, management, and mitigation of their adverse effects.