A QGIS-Based Gaussian Plume Dispersion Model for Point Sources: Development and Intercomparison of Reflective and Non-Reflective Formulations

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Abstract
Air pollution from industrial point sources remains a major concern in urban environments, highlighting the need for accessible tools that support both education and preliminary environmental assessment. This study presents the development and intercomparison of an open-source, QGIS-based geospatial model for simulating atmospheric pollutant dispersion from fixed point sources using the Gaussian plume formulation. The model integrates emission parameters, meteorological conditions, and terrain data within a fully spatial workflow implemented through the QGIS graphical modeler, enabling the generation of ground-level concentration fields without advanced programming expertise. Dispersion is simulated with and without inclusion of a ground reflection term, allowing comparative analysis of boundary condition effects. The model was applied to a representative urban industrial source at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, using CO2 emissions treated as a passive tracer. Model outputs were evaluated through descriptive statistics and quantitative comparison with two established open-source Gaussian plume implementations developed in Python. Ground reflection leads to an increase of approximately 60% in modeled near-surface concentrations, particularly in the upper tail of the distribution, underscoring its importance for screening-level exposure assessment. The proposed model provides a transparent, reproducible, and user-friendly framework suitable for teaching activities, rapid screening analyses, and exploratory air quality assessments.
Funding Information
  • National Program for Research of the National Association of Technical Universities (165/04.12.2023)

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