Chemical Transformation in Plumes

It is now recognized that a variety of chemical transformations occurs in plumes. The types of transformations, their rates of occurrence, and the magnitudes of the resultant pollutant concentrations depend on the chemical composition of a plume and of the ambient air entrained in a plume, the elevation and temperature of a plume, and the meteorological conditions (including solar intensity) experienced by a plume. It is postulated that these transformations contribute to atmospheric haziness and discoloration, atmospheric acidity, and extended sulfate and ozone concentrations in rural areas. In addition, it is postulated that transformations in plumes contribute to brief, elevated ground-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.