oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Sciences Research EPA-600/7-78-11 7
Laboratory July 1 978
Research Triangle Park NC 2771 1
Research and Development
Analysis of
Meteorological
Conditions During
the 1977 Anclote
Keys Plume Study
Interagency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
. •
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7 Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/7-78-117
July 1978
ANALYSIS OF METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING
THE 1977 ANCLOTE KEYS PLUME STUDY
L. Hull, W. Dannevik, and R. Woodford
Environmental Quality Research, Inc.
225 S. Meramec - Suite 1121T
Clayton, Missouri 63105
Contract No. 68-02-2500
Project Officer
Jack L. Durham
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Division
Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES RESEARCH LABCr:4TUxY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA 27711
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Office of Research and Develop-
ment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorse-
ment or recommendation for use.
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ABSTRACT
Meteorological conditions are described and analyzed for nine experi-
mental observation periods of the Anclote Keys Plume Study, which was
conducted near Tampa, Florida during February 1977. The primary objective
of the Plume Study was to investigate both the short and long range trans-
port of power plant plumes and the formation rate of sulfate in a marine
environment.
The forecasting center, radiosonde, pilot balloon, and tethersonde
systems are also described, and the data acquisition schedules are included.
Raw pilot balloon and tethersonde observations and the derived wind fields
are not included, but are available from the authors.
iii
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CONTENTS
Abstract iii
Figures vii
Tables ix
1. Introduction 1
2. Conclusions 3
3. Recommendations 5
4. Data Collection System 7
The Fixed Site 7
The Radiosonde System 7
The Pibal System 9
TETHERSONDE Data Collection System 10
5. Experimental Procedures 12
Preliminary 12
Experiment #1 (Monday, Feb 7, 1977) 12
Experiment #2 (Tuesday, Feb 8, 1977) 14
Experiment #2A (Feb 10, 1977) 14
Experiment #3 (Feb 10-11, 1977) 14
Experiment #4 (Feb 11, 1977) 17
Experiment #5 (Feb 12, 1977) 17
Experiment #6 (Feb 15, 1977) 17
Experiment #6A (Feb 16, 1977) 21
Experiment #7 (Feb 17, 1977) 21
Experiment #8 (Feb 17, 1977) . .... 24
Experiment #9 (Feb 18, 1977) , . . 24
6. Schedules of Data Acquisition 28
Pibal Data 28
TETHERSONDE Data 33
Radiosonde Data „ 35
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CONTENTS (continued)
7. Data Formats 37
Pibal Data 37
TETHERSONDE Data. ......... 37
Radiosonde Data 39
Teletype and Facsimile Data 40
8. Meteorological Data Interpretation 42
Meteorological Overview 42
The Experiments: Meteorological Synthesis 46
9. Utility of Double Theodolite Pibal Winds 53
Appendices
A. Pibal Winds (Feb 7 - Feb 18, 1977) 60
B. TETHERSONDE Data (Feb 10 - Feb 18, 1977) 60
VI
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FIGURES
Number Page
1. Key Features and Sites near Tampa, Florida ............ 8
2. Locations of EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 1, Feb 7, 1977 13
3. Locations of EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 2, Feb 8, 1977 15
4. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 2A, Feb 10, 1977 16
5. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 3, Feb 10-11, 1977 18
6. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 4, Feb 11, 1977 19
7. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 5, Feb 12, 1977 20
8. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 6, Feb 15, 1977 22
9. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 6A, Feb 16, 1977 23
10. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 7, Feb 17, 1977 25
11. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 8, Feb 17, 1977 26
12. Locations of the EQR Meteorological Crews for
Experiment 9, Feb 18, 1977 27
13. Analysis of Radiosonde Data Taken at the EQR
Fixed Site Feb 7 - Feb 10 43
14. Analysis of Radiosonde Data Taken at the EQR
Fixed Site Feb 11 - Feb 14 45
vn
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FIGURES (continued)
Number Page
15. Analysis of Radiosonde Data taken at the
EQR Fixed Site Feb 15 - Feb 18 47
16. Height-Time Cross-Section Analyses of Wind Speed
and Direction for Experiment 5 at Anclote Island
Produced by Averaging the Two Single Pibal Results
using a Standard Ascent Rate 55
17. Height-Time Cross-Section Analyses of Wind Speed
and Direction for Experiment 5 at Anclote Island
Produced by using Two Sets of Azimuth and Elevation
Angles Simultaneously and Computing Balloon Heights 56
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TABLES
Number Page_
1. TETHERSONDE (TS-1A) Sensor Specifications 11
2. A Descriptive List of all Radiosonde Releases
taken during the Anclote Keys Plume Study,
Feb 77 35
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
In the recent airborne studies of power plant plumes, simultaneous air-
chemical and meteorological documentation has proven to be essential not only
for planning the operational mode but for the post-flight synthesis of the
plume-ambient air interaction. Environmental Quality Research, Inc. has
cooperated with Environmental Protection Agency scientists over the past
several years to produce accurate and timely data for the resolution of im-
portant air pollution problems.
The purpose of the Anclote Keys Plume Study was:
1. Measure the sulfate formation rate.
2. Measure the mass flow of pollutants as a function of the distance
from the source.
3. Investigate the long range transport of power plant plumes.
4. Determine the influence of a marine environment on a power plant
plume.
The procedure used was to combine the aircraft monitoring of the pollutant
concentrations in the plume with ground-based monitoring of the meteorological
parameters in the near plume ambient atmosphere.
EQR has combined its radiosonde, pibal balloon and meteorological fore-
casting expertise with the newly acquired TETHERSONDE system. This TETHER-
SONDE system automates the acquisition and reduction of measurements of
vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, winds, and many other derived
quantities. EQR's participation in the Anclote Keys Plume Study involved
the following tasks:
1. Set up prior to the experiment a command center reasonably close
to the Anclote Power Plant from which radio communications could be
maintained with the sampling aircraft and with the meteorological
ground crews,
1
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2. Equip the command center with a meteorological communications net-
work sufficient to allow the EQR supplied Forecaster to make short
and long term operational forecasts,
3. Hire, train, and deploy two (2) single pilot balloon crews, one (1)
double pilot balloon crew, and one (1) TETHERSONDE crewman and
procure and transport all meteorological equipment for crews to
deploy during each flight in coordination with EPA supervisory
personnel,
4. Set up a radiosonde station with personnel and maintain a release
and data reduction schedule at the EQR fixed site to produce on-
line documentation of atmospheric conditions,
5. Receive and reduce real time pibal data at the radio command center
for operational use during each flight,
6. Quality control all pibal, radiosonde, and TETHERSONDE data, and
7. Produce meteorological data summaries describing the power plant
plume's ambient conditions during the experimental period Feb 7-18,
1977.
The data report summarizes the results of the two week operation,
presents the meteorological data taken, and displays a synopsis of the
meteorological conditions under which the experiment took place.
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SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS
During the two week Anclote Keys Plume Study meteorological conditions
were ideal for various types of plume sampling. The occurance of extreme
stability conditions at times permitted the tracking of a coherent plume
well over a hundred kilometers from the source. Plume characterizations
were accomplished under stable and unstable conditions both onshore and
offshore.
EQR successfully prepared and operated the command center so that the
operation began on Feb 7 as scheduled. All meteorological communications
were operable as prespecified. Air to ground and ground to ground radio
communications, were also headquartered at this fixed site.
Radiosondes were launched continuously from the EQR fixed site. Sup-
plementary data from the Ruskin, Florida National Weather Service radiosonde
station were acquired.
Single pilot balloon crews (2-) were deployed downwind of the power plant
whenever possible to support all plume sampling flights. The double pibal
crew occupied two coastal sites, one each week, also in conjunction with
flight operations. Data gathering efforts of this crew during the first
week were somewhat diminished because of the operational difficulties en-
countered while manning a site on the uninhabited Anclote Keys just offshore
from the power plant.
TETHERSONDE operations, to accomplish continuous low level sampling of
the atmosphere, were set up onboard the research vessel Tursiops which
patrolled the Gulf waters west of the Anclote plant. Efforts were made to
anticipate the downwind position of the plume and to document the ambient
conditions. The lack of mobility of the vessel as well as the high degree
of diurnal variability of the coastal winds made efforts to get directly
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under the plume unsuccessful. High winds and seas limited the utility of the
TETHERSONDE system. An electronic deficiency, now corrected, prevented
data collection when wind speeds exceeded 10 meters per second.
The data from all the meteorological communications systems as well as
the raw data collected during the experiment were returned to EQR headquarters
and were quality controlled. Data were visually inspected as well as plotted
to ensure vertical and time continuity. Tables, commensurate with EPA needs
for pollutant mass flux calculations, have been prepared. A climatic summary
has been included in the data report synthesizing all available data. All
project goals, as described in Section 1, have been achieved.
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SECTION 3
RECOMMENDATIONS
Despite the successful coordination between EQR and EPA operations sev-
eral facets of the joint effort should be improved upon during future power
plant studies.
A complete radio communication system connecting all important personnel
to the central location is imperative for coordinated plume sampling experi-
ment. Several additional ground to ground FM radios were needed to tie in
all meteorological crewmen to the fixed site. Two-channel ground to ground
FM radios should be utilized by the double pibal crews, one channel for base
communications, the other for the site to site communication needed to produce
simultaneous readings. Battery operated walkie-talkies proved inadequate.
The drain of continuous use and the awkwardness of using the unit during opera-
tions necessitates this change.
Two personnel who are not in any way involved in data gathering are needed
to manage data gathering crews, reduce incoming data, produce on-line data
analyses, and to produce operational forecasts. Many of the above tasks were
critically overlapped and could not be accomplished using one person.
Computer-based meteorological data communications facilities should sup-
plant conventional Weather Services longline data at the field operations
center. Special programs and data packages can be generated at EQR and com-
municated to the field on a scheduled basis or on request. A medium speed
printer and graphics display terminal in the field will allow for maximum use
of all meteorological data.
It is also recommended that a new, expendable (one-way) radiosonde package
be used which is compatible with the TETHERSONDE signal receiving station,
microprocessor, and HP-97 link up. This combination would result in fully-
automated, real-time acquisition and printout of high-resolution temperature
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and moisture profiles as a function of height to altitudes in excess of 6 km
(20,000 ft). Balloon tracking by theodolite and a manual entry of elevations
and azimuths into the HP-97 must still be done to derive on-line winds.
It is recommended that in subsequent TETHERSONDE field operations, the
Channel A (time-multiplexed) data stream be recorded via interface on an audio
cassette tape recorder. In this manner, the partially-processed data record
may be later replayed into the HP-97 micro-computer for quality control and
final processing to generate hard copy records. This procedure results in a
tape data record, and for some applications can also eliminate the need for
field use of the HP-97.
Double pibal operations were hindered by the lack of precision timing
and reading that is required for accurate results. It is suggested that a
second ground to ground FM channel be used in conjunction with tape recorded
start and 30-second sync pulses to coordinate this effort.
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SECTION 4
DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM
THE FIXED SITE
The single most important item in EQR's coordinated meteorological data
gathering effort in the Anclote Keys plume study was the establishment of a
centralized facility providing telemetered weather observations, essential
to the operational forecasting of winds and weather, a radio communication
network to monitor the progress of all airborne research and EQR meteorologi-
cal teams, and a site at which to collect pibal and radiosonde data. EQR
also supplied an Air Pollution Meteorologist who acted as the coordinator for
all meteorological data gathering at the fixed site and at all remote loca-
tions.
The fixed site consisted of a 10 m trailer anchored just east of Tarpon
Lake (Fig. 1) about 30 kilometers southeast of the Anclote Power Plant. The
trailer was equipped with 110-and 220 volt power drops, two phone lines, and
three long-line channels carrying weather information. The interior of the
trailer was partitioned to accomodate a 403MHz radiosonde receiving station,
a communications table with FM air to air and air to ground radios, wall
display for weather maps to assist the Forecaster in making operational
decisions, a storage area for all expendable items, two teletypes with sur-
face and upper air meteorological data, and a weather map facsimile machine.
The exterior of the trailer was used to mount the antennas for the
403MHz radiosonde receiver, and the two radio systems. The interior of a
twenty-foot truck was used to inflate the 100-gram weather balloons which
carried the radiosonde packages. Fifty T-sized helium tanks were stored
outside the trailer.
THE RADIOSONDE SYSTEM
Upper air sounding data was necessitated by the nature of the airborne
7
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83°00'W
-n
-28°00'
-27°30'
82°30'W
ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
ANCLOTE KEYS
-h •
Frank Howard
Sunset Beach/TARPoTR/Tarpon Lake
SPRINGS \\
Honeymoon Island^ £ \OEQR FIXED SITE
TAMPA
INTERNATIONAL
'TAMPA
^ ~_ /St. PETERSBURG -
CLEARWATERf CLEARWATER
WEATHER SERVICE
'_ D
RADIOSONDE SITE
ST, PETERSBURG
*x
FIGURE 1. Key features and sites near Tampa, Florida.
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experiment. Temperatures, humidity, and winds were needed on a six hourly
basis up to 700 mb (10,000 feet or approximately 3000 meters). The 403MHz
radiosonde system made by the VIZ Manufacturing Company, consists of an air-
borne package with an aneroid barometer, a white coated thermistor, a carbon
hygristor, an adjustable 403MHz radio transmitter, a 100-gram lift balloon,
and an AN/TMQ5 radiosonde recorder and antenna system which transcribes a
time multiplexed data stream. The balloon and instrument package were tracked
visually by theodolite so that wind speed and direction could be calculated.
At night small lights were attached and tracked.
The 403MHz radiosonde system is a standard National Weather Service
sounding instrument and all operating procedures were done in strict conforma-
tion with the Federal Meteorological Handbook #3 (Radiosonde Observations),
the Federal Meteorological Handbook #5 (Winds-Aloft Observations), and the
EPA approved Reference Manual for Low-Level Radiosonde and Pibal Soundings
published in conjunction with the St. Louis EPA Regional Air Pollution
Study (RAPS).
Following the guidelines for low level (700 mb) soundings the trending
of the recorder traces produces +1°C accuracy in temperature profile and
+5% (RH>20%) accuracy for the humidity trace.
THE PIBAL SYSTEM
Five high-resolution precision theodolites were deployed, one at the
fixed site and four others at varying locations around the Anclote power
plant. These sites are shown in Section 5. Azimuth and elevation angles
are exact to 0.1° and can be interpolated to j^.Ol0.
Pibal balloons were 10 and 30 gm and their positions were monitored at
30-second intervals. This technique produces averaged winds for approximately
64-meter levels (90 meters for 30-gram balloons) assuming standard ascent
rates.
Pibal operators were mobile and set up at their sites before flight opera-
tions began. Pibal operations included a two-man crew operating a double
pibal site, the first week on Anclote Keys, 10 kilometers due west of the
Anclote power plant, and the second week on two coastal peninsulas 6 kilo-
meters south of the plant.
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The double pibal sites sought to provide more accurate winds since the
balloon heights can be derived at each of the 30-second intervals. Accurate
baselines of 629 meters and 1776 meters and baseline orientations were
established trigonometrically using USGS maps and theodolite sightings from
the double pibal locations.
TETHERSONDE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM
The TETHERSONDE meteorological data collection system consists of a
o
3.25m blimp-shaped balloon, a portable winch, a computerized ground station,
and an airborne instrument package. The instrument package measures tempera-
ture and wet bulb directly using precision bead thermistors. Surface pressure
differential, up to 100 mb, is measured using an aneroid strain guage. Wind
speed is monitored using a cup anemometer. Wind direction can be determined
using an onboard magnetic compass since the shape of the balloon keeps the
instrument package oriented into the wind.
Circuitry of the 5 sensors is contained in a single printed circuit
board within the airborne package. The package is battery operated using a
rechargeable 12 volt system with a 4-hour lifetime. The telemetry system
consists of a narrow-band, crystal-controlled transmitter and receiver.
Data are transmitted at 403MHz in two formats over separate channels. One is
an FM-FM PAM time multiplexed format which may be recorded immediately on a
single strip chart or on audio magnetic tape or on both simultaneously. The
second format transmits data from one selected sensor continuously in FM-FM.
A data frame with time multiplexed format consists of a wide sync pulse whose
amplitude is full scale, followed by eight sensor channels separated by zero
reference values.
The ground station receiver contains two audio FM discriminators, one for
each channel. Due to the greater than 10 kilometer displacement between the
403MHz radiosonde and TETHERSONDE system, no signal interference was noticed
at any time. An integral speaker lets the user monitor the signal aurally.
An 8-bit microcomputer (INTEL, 8080A) in the ground station provides computer-
compatible real-time data directly to a computer. The data may be further
processed, printed in real time, or recorded for later processing.
Two 25-pin connectors permit the transfer of data in several modes. One
10
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connector provides RS-232C and 20ma signal levels for CRT or teletype listing
of digital data. The second provides control signals to a printing HP-97
calculator (or other models).
The winch can be powered by a built-in rechargeable battery or by exter-
nal power sources. The winch is light-weight (25kg) and contains 1000 meters
of high-tensile strength cord (90.7 kg test). This provides enough strength
to withstand 20 m/sec wind stress and low enough weight to provide full 1 km
extension of the tether package. However the TETHERSONDE system was original-
ly designed at maximum 10 m/sec scale readout such that wind speeds higher
than 10 m/sec caused severe signal distortion in all channels. The system
has since been modified to a 20 m/sec limitation.
The tether balloon is cigar shaped with three aerodynamic ear fins for
orientation stability. The instrument package is suspended using double
guy lines to ensure fixed orientation with the balloon. The ground guy line
is attached to the front of the balloon to provide maximum stability. The
instrument package itself weighs about 1 kg. The fully inflated tether
balloon has about a 2.2 kg lift.
The sensor specifications are given in Table 1.
TABLE 1. TETHERSONDE (TS-1A) SENSOR SPECIFICATIONS
Precision
Resolution
Type
Dry and
Wet Bulb
(Asperated)
Differential
Barometric
Pressure
Wind
Speed
(horizontal)
Wind
Direction
(Magnetic)
-50°C
to
+50°C
0 to
100
millibars
0.5 to
10
meters/sec
0°
to
360°
+0.5C
+1.0
millibars
+0.25
meters/sec
+5°
0.1°C
0.5
millibars
0.1
meters/sec
2°
Bead
Thermistor
Aneroid
Strain
Guage
Cup
Anemometer
Magnetic
Compass
11
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SECTION 5
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
PRELIMINARY
One EQR employee arrived in Tampa Jan 27 to initiate the assembly of the
fixed site. Six other EQR personnel arrived on Feb 5 and 6 to deploy equip-
ment and supplies and to assist in assembling the radio communications system.
EXPERIMENT #1 (MONDAY, FEB 7, 1977)
The first MRI flight (SMOG 1) (1536-1736 LST) produced a sampling check-
out for all systems. The Brookhaven plane (SMOG 2) made early morning flights
to determine plume characterization. All flights originated out of the St.
Petersburg - Clearwater airport.
The first EQR single pibal crew was dispatched to a position (Site 1)
along the coast 1 km north-northeast of the Anclote Power Plant (Fig. 2).
The second pibal crew was directed to a location near the coast 5 to 10 km
to the south (Site 2) selecting Honeymoon Isle State Park (connected by
causeway to the mainland).
The double theodolite team (Site 3) was assigned to set up an operational
baseline on Anclote Keys 10 km west of the Anclote Plant. Transportation by
boat was utilized to carry crews and equipment to the island. No double
pibals were taken during Experiment 1. The research vessel Tursiops, used
as a mobile launching platform for the TETHERSONDE system, was not deployed.
From its dock in St. Petersburg approximately 3-4 hours were needed to inter-
cept the plume. The vessel's optimum position was preselected by the EQR
Forecaster. One EQR employee, an EPA official, and several crewmen were
aboard the vessel.
Radiosonde releases were begun at 0600 Monday, Feb 7, coincident with
the first experiment day, and continued through Feb 9 at six hour intervals.
12
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ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
ANCLOTE KEYS
-h
Frank Howard P
Sunseth STARRPW arpon Lake
FIXED SITE
TAMPA
INTERNATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE
n
RADIOSONDE SITE
SINGLE PTRALS 1, 2
DOUBLE PIBALS 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
-27°30'N
FIGURE 2. Locations of EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 1, Feb 7, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
13
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Due to excess depletion of consumables, notably helium and 100-gram balloons,
due to inferior balloon quality, the releases were rescheduled for 0000 and
1200 LSI with the Ruskin Weather Service soundings, available over the Circuit
"C" teletype, suppling the local meteorological soundings at 0600 and 1800
LSI. Releases were continued at the EQR fixed site through Feb 18 (0000 LSI),
the last experiment day.
EXPERIMENT #2 (TUESDAY, FEB 8, 1977)
During the experiment plume characterization was done by the MRI SMOG 1
(1323 - 1655 1ST). EQR personnel were fully deployed. Single pibal crews
were positioned at the Anclote Power Plant and upwind in New Port Richey
(Fig. 3).
Double pibal crews established themselves at the northern end of the
largest island of the Anclote Keys. The two crews were aligned almost north-
south 629 meters apart. Operations were terminated early to allow the crews
to return by boat to the mainland during daylight. Anclote Keys were totally
uninhabited with no public facilities of any kind. No docking facilities
were available and boats had to be beached.
The TETHERSONDE experienced an electronic malfunction which detonated a
slow leak safety device which is pressure activated to bring the instrument
package back to earth if the line breaks and the package ascends to higher
than 1000 meters. Several hours were needed to locate the malfunction and to
repair the tether balloon. No usable readings were taken.
EXPERIMENT #2A (FEB 10, 1977)
During the morning of the 10th it was anticipated that Brookhaven Labs
(SMOG 2) would monitor the plume. One single pibal was positioned at the
Anclote Power Plant (Fig. 4) during the morning and afternoon. The other
single pibal, the double pibal crew and the TETHERSONDE were not deployed
until later in the day.
EXPERIMENT #3 (FEB 10-11, 1977)
MRI flights were anticipated for late night and early morning to accom-
plish plume sampling and special NO sampling. A single pibal crew was sent
/\
to the Anclote Power Plant. The double pibal crew was helicoptered to the
14
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ANCLOTE
POWER
•NEW PORT RICHEY
ANCLOTE KEYS
Sunset Beach'TARPON (/Tarpon Lake
SPRINGS
Honeymoon Island ^EQR pIXED
TAMPA
INTERNATIONAL
gST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATEHf CLEARWATER
RUSKIN
/-'u.s.
WEATHER SERVICE
D
RADIOSONDE SITE
TURSIOPS"
MARINA
ST, PETERSBURG
SINGLE PIBALS 1, 2
DOUBLE PIBALS 3
RADIOSONDE
TETHERSONDE 5
27°30'N
FIGURE 3. Locations of EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 2, Feb 8, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
15
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ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
s
ANCLOTE KEYS
Beach"TARPON (Tarpon Lake
SPRINGS
-iHoneymoon Island, / XYVINFQR FIXED SITE
INTERNATIONAL
;--:fST. PETERSBURG -
ST, PETERSBURG
SINGLE PIBAL 1
RADIOSONDE 4
FIGURE 4. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 2A, Feb 10, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
16
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Anclote Keys site after sunset. Communication difficulties between the two
crews made simultaneous reading impossible so that only single pibals were
taken.
The TETHERSONDE location was about 60 kilometers WSW of the Power Plant
and 10 kilometers south of the plume. Sounding altitudes were limited by a
low-level wind speed maximum that produced winds greater than 10 meters per
second as low as 200 meters.
EXPERIMENT #4 (FEB 11, 1977)
During the late afternoon MRI scheduled an additional plume characteriza-
tion and NO bubbler experiment. A single pibal site was deployed to the
A
Anclote Power Plant. Lack of ground communications delayed this operation.
During the morning the double pibal crew was brought to the Tursiops
anchored off Anclote Keys. After resting and gathering supplies the crew
redeployed on the island. The TETHERSONDE was moved to about 35 kilometers
south-southwest of the Anclote Power Plant and about 10 kilometers west of
the plume. Once again wind speeds in excess of 10 meters per second restrict-
ed altitudes to less than 200 meters.
EXPERIMENT #5 (FEB 12, 1977)
Experiment 5 provides an opportunity to do sunrise sampling and to chase
the plume in excess of 100 kilometers. EQR had all personnel deployed.
Single pibal crews were sent to the Anclote Power Plant and to an upwind
location at the EQR fixed site near Tarpon Lake.
The double pibal crew remained on the Anclote Keys overnight and began
operations before sunrise. The crew and equipment were again moved by heli-
copter at the experiment's conclusion to the EQR fixed site. Helium supplies
were subsequently loaded aboard the Tursiops.
The Tursiops did not redeploy to a point northwest of the Power Plant
in accordance with forecast information available the night before. Repair
of a leakage in the tether balloon necessitated a late start, and continued
gas loss limited flights to 100 meters.
EXPERIMENT #6 (FEB 15, 1977)
Due to a sea breeze which transported the Anclote plume inland across
17
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Frank Howard Park<
Sunset Beach'iARPONf /Tarpon Lake
SPRINGS \\
Honeymoon Island^ ^ \$>EQR FIXED SITE
TAMPA
INTERNATIONAL
„ 'ST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATERY CLEARWATER
ST, PETERSBURG
P/
SINGLE PIBAL 2
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
—27°30'N
FIGURE 5. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 3, Feb 10-11, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
18
-------
ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
•NEW PORT RICHEY
ANCLOTE KEYS
Frank Howard Parkxj
Sunset Beach frAfcPON (Tarpon Lake
r n SPRINGS'
Honeymoon Island^ £ ^>EQR FIXED
ST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATER
V^
AIRPORT
TURSIOPS"
MARIMA
WEATHER SERVICE
I4t
RADIOSONDE SITE
PETERSBURG
r* c» 'fcJ-.
^
SINGLE PIBAL 1
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
—27°30'N
FIGURE 6. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 4, Feb 11, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
19
-------
'NEW PORT RICKEY
ANCLOTE KEYS
Frank Howard Park<
Sunset Beach'TARPON(/Tarpon Lake
SPRINGS
Honeymoon Island. / >EQR FIXED SITE
TAMPA
INTERNATIONAL
PETERSBURG
CLEARWATERT CLEARWATER
SINGLE PIBALS 1 , 2
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
-27°30'
FIGURE 7. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 5, Feb 12, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
20
-------
the populated Tampa area, MRI ran a cross-comparison flight close to the power
plant with Brookhaven Laboratories. EQR single pibals were deployed inland
and downwind of each other to a position north of the plume and away from
Tampa Bay. Single pibal crews remained at these sites until the conclusion
of the experiment.
The double pibal crew redeployed on the Gulf coast using a man-made
island (Howard Park) connected by causeway to the coast and a peninsula
(Sunset Beach) as new positions for a baseline (Fig. 8). Baseline orienta-
tion and distance were fixed during the interval between Experiments 5 and 6.
The double pibal sites were approximately 6 kilometers south-southwest of the
Anclote Power Plant and were 1776 meters apart. Orientation of the two points
were WNW-ESE.
Meteorological conditions permitted optimum TETHERSONDE operations
throughout the whole experiment. The Tursiops was anchored several kilometers
off the south end of Anclote Keys. TETHERSONDE ascents to greater than 500 m
were accomplished.
EXPERIMENT #6A (FEB 16, 1977)
On the evening of Feb 15, 1977, it was decided to deploy EQR personnel
in anticipation of a MRI (SMOG 1) flight the following morning although
forecast wind conditions were not favorable. Early morning preliminary
meteorological data taken by the crews confirmed unfavorable conditions and
the flight was cancelled.
EXPERIMENT #7 (FEB 17, 1977)
The morning experiment on Feb 17 was used to measure fallout underneath
the Anclote Power Plant plume. The MRI SMOG 1 flight stayed within 20
s.
kilometers of the plant. One single pibal was put at the Anclote Plant and
another at the EQR fixed site. No attempt was made to gather downwind data
due to the close proximity of the SMOG 1 sampling to the plant.
The double pibal crews were again set up along Howard Park - Sunset Beach
baseline. TETHERSONDE operations were suspended while crew and supplies
were being boarded out of Tarpon Springs.
21
-------
ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
ANCLOTE KEYS (jf
Frank Howard R
Sunset Bd
Honeymoon Island
EQR FIXED SITE
~-H
-^AMPTfl
INTERNATIONAL
- _ 'ST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATER/ CLEARWATER
RUSKIN
WEATHER SERVICE
RADIOSONDE SITE
ST. PETERSBURG
rr-
SINGLE PIBALS I, 2
DOUBLE PIBALS 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
FIGURE 8. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 6, Feb 15, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
22
-------
Honeymoon Island
i
4>EQfKlX8\SITE
_ ST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATER CLEARWATER
RUSKIN
WEATHER SERVICE
-ir? 141
RADIOSONDE SITE
SINGLE PIBAL 1, 2
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
27°30'N
FIGURE 9. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 6A, Feb 16, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
23
-------
EXPERIMENT #8 (FEB 17, 1977)
Close proximity flights were continued on the afternoon of the 17th with
SMOG 1 running plume characterizations. All EQR pibal crews maintained their
locations the entire day. The TETHERSONDE operations reached an altitude
over 400 meters.
EXPERIMENT #9 (FEB 18, 1977)
On the last experiment day another close proximity fallout study was
conducted by MRI. Winds carried the plume inland toward the north-northeast.
Pibal crews were again placed close to the Anclote Power Plant. The
TETHERSONDE system stayed onboard the Tursiops overnight and began operations
at sunrise.
All facilities at the EQR fixed site were disassembled Feb 18. All
crews were brought to the site after the experiment to effect tear down and
packing of data and equipment. All EQR personnel left Tampa Feb 19 except
the Forecaster who supervised the trailer removal and site clean-up.
24
-------
ANCLOTE
POWER PLAN
'NEW PORT RICHEY
ANCLOTE KEYS
-t-
Frank Howard
—ft
Sunset Beach?TA'RPON
-------
Frank Howard F
Sunset E
arpon Lake
/
4>EQR FIXED SITE
CLEARWATER
ST. PETERS
\
SINGLE PIBALS 1, 2
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
27°30'N
FIGURE 11. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 8, Feb 17, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
26
-------
\li\n INTERNATIONAL
1ST. PETERSBURG
CLEARWATERC CLEARWATER
RPORT^
WEATHER SERVICE
ST. PETERSBURG
SINGLE PIBAL 1, 2
DOUBLE PIBAL 3
RADIOSONDE 4
TETHERSONDE 5
FIGURE 12. Locations of the EQR meteorological crews for
experiment 9, Feb 18, 1977. Plume location
during the experiment is approximated.
27
-------
SECTION 6
SCHEDULES OF DATA ACQUISITION
PIBAL DATA
A large volume of pilot balloon data was collected at the sites de-
scribed in Section 5. The following lists of pibal release times include
releases authorized by EPA personnel but not included in officially desig-
nated experiments. Each column of numbers designates balloon release times
(1ST), while the adjoining numbers in parantheses describes the length of
time (in minutes) that the balloon was tracked. The location of the pilot
balloon release is given above the column. Single pibal data occupy the
left two columns and double pibal data are described in the right two columns
Monday Feb 7. 1977
Anclote Island
North South
NO DATA
fO
CO -I-J
CD fO
E 0
+J M-
O
1 — 13
QJ C
OL •!-
*E!
Anclote
Power Plant
0910(10.5)
1000(14.5)
1030(12.0)
1115(14.0)
1200(11.0)
1245(10.5)
1440(12.0)
1500(14.0)
1610(12.0)
Honeymoon
Island
1100(12.0)
1130(12.0)
1200(12.0)
1230(12.0)
1300(12.0)
1332(12.0)
1500(12.0)
1530(12.0)
1600(12.0)
1655(15.0) 1630(10.5)
28
-------
Tuesday Feb 8, 1977
LO -P
d) (C
•M It-
CD
o;
co to
(C CU
0) -l->
r— 3
CU C.
OL ••-
New Port
Richey
1140(14.0)
1205(7.0)
1240(8.0)
1305(7.0)
1345(2.0)
1348(3.0)
1440(0.5)
1444(0.5)
1448(1.0)
1453(3.5)
1515(18.5)
1604(4.0)
1620(12.5)
1658(11.0)
Anclote
Power Plant
1000(12.0)
1030(12.0)
1100(11.5)
1130(12.0)
1200(12.0)
1330(12.0)
1400(12.0)
1430(12.0)
1502(12.0)
1530(12.0)
1600(12.0)
1630(12.0)
1700(12.0)
Anclote
North
1313(5.0)
1341(12.0)
1423(12.0)
1505(12.0)
Island
South
1313(3.5)
1341(12.0)
1423(3.5)
1505(12.0)
Thursday Feb 10, 1977
to •(->
01 re
E Q
•»—
•»-> M-
O
0)
to to
(C
(D -!->
i— 3
o> c
a: -r-
Anclote
Power Plant
815(5.0)
835(7.0)
900(8.5)
936(10.5)
1002(20.5)
1035(4.5)
1045(4.0)
1115(6.5)
1205(13.5)
1410(12.0)
1506(8.0)
1533(1.5)
1545(12.0)
1610(13.0)
1630(11.5)
1710(14.0)
1738(10.5)
1800(16.8)
1835(0.5)
1905(11.0)
1953(15.0)
Anclote
Power Plant
2202(12.0)
2230(12.0)
2315(12.0)
2359(12.0)
Anclote Island
North South
2335(17.0)
29
-------
Fri day Feb 11. 1977
re
in +->
CD rO
(SI l/l
ro
O) C
Anclote
Power Plant
1930(14.0)
2003(13.5)
Anclote
Power Plant
0030(12.0)
0106(12.0)
0215(5.5)
Anclote
North
0035(12.0)
0115(12.0)
1600(11.0)
1630(10.0)
1658(13.0)
1730(12.0)
1800(12.0)
1830(14.0)
1915(20.0)
Island
South
0232(13.0)
1532(8.5)
1600(2.5)
1630(10.5)
1658(12.5)
1730(12.0)
1800(12.0)
1830(13.0)
1915(0)
Saturday Feb 12, 1977
to
ai
OJ
CO
-------
Tuesday Feb 15. 1977
O)
ro
+->
rO
O
0)
CO
rO
O)
'flj
OL
Odessa,
Florida
1210(5.5)
1233(7.0)
1300(5.5)
1331(9.0)
1406(10.5)
1432(12.5)
1505(12.0)
1600(13.5)
1637(10.5)
1701(12.0)
1730(12.0)
Fla 582 at
US 301
1300(7.5)
1330(11.5)
1400(12.0)
1430(12.0)
1505(12.0)
1530(12.0)
1600(12.0)
1630(12.0)
1700(8.5)
1730(12.0)
Howard
Park
1146(12.0)
1231(12.0)
1300(12.0)
1330(12.0)
1400(12.5)
1430(1)0
1500(12.0)
1530(12.0)
1600(11.5)
1630(12.0)
1700(12.0)
Sunset
Beach
1231(9.5)
1300(12.0)
1330(12.0)
1400(12.0)
1430(12.0)
1500(12.0)
1530(12.0)
1600(12.0)
1630(12.0)
1700(12.0)
1730(11.0) 1730(11.0)
Wednesday Feb 16. 1977
w « Anclote
S> s Power Plant
^o 1330(7.5)
d)
CU
QJ
EQR Fixed
Site
NO DATA
Sunset
Beach
1203(0)
1230(10.0)
1300(2.0)
1305(7.0)
1330(5.0)
Howard
Park
1203(8.5)
1230(10.5)
1300(0.5)
1305(8.0)
1330(0.5)
31
-------
Thursday Feb 17. 1977
to
tO +->
O) re
E Q
+-) M-
o
4->
CO CO
(0 CD
CD 4->
i— 13
o> c
OL -i-
ro
CO 4->
cu ro
co co
ro O)
O) 4->
i — ^
Ol C
Anclote
Power Plant
0542(3.5)
0601(6.5)
0708(3.5)
0732(6.0)
0817(8.5)
0832(10.0)
0904(8.0)
0939(7.0)
1130(11.5)
1203(12.0)
1230(8.0)
1312(11.5)
1337(9.5)
1400(5.0)
1435(6.5)
1500(4.5)
1510(12.0)
1532(10.0)
1600(11.5)
1645(14.0)
EQR Fixed
Site
0512(3.5)
0539(12.0)
0630(7.5)
0700(12.0)
0730(6.0)
0800(9.0)
0830(6.0)
0900(7.5)
0930(12.0)
1144(10.0)
1202(12.5)
1230(14.0)
1300(12.0)
1330(9.5)
1400(12.0)
1430(12.0)
1500(10.0)
1535(5.5)
1606(12.0)
1630(11.0)
Sunset
Beach
0600(6.0)
0635(8.0)
0700(0.5)
0708(6.5)
0730(12.5)
0800(8.0)
0830(7.5)
0900(5.0)
0930(8.5)
1137(10.5)
1205(11.0)
1346(8.5)
1430(11.0)
1500(11.0)
1530(11.0)
1600(5.0)
1630(12.0)
Howard
Park
0600(8.5)
0635(0.5)
0700(1.0)
0708(0.5)
0730(12.5)
0800(6.0)
0830(8.0)
0900(7.5)
0930(7.5)
1137(9.0)
1205(11.5)
1242(9.5)
1328(6.0)
1346(10.0)
1430(10.0)
1500(10.5)
1530(11.5)
1600(0)
1630(0)
1704(9.5)
Friday Feb 18, 1977
Anclote
Power Plant
0709(13.0)
0733(10.0)
0800(5.0)
0830(2.5)
0836(6.5)
0901(9.5)
0930(11.0)
1000(4.5)
1031(9.0)
1100(5.0)
EQR Fixed
Site
0610(6.0)
Sunset
Beach
0610(12.0)
0700(2.5)
0707(9.
0735(9,
0800(8.0)
0830(9.5)
0900(9.0)
0930(10.0)
1000(9.5)
1030(0)
1100(0)
.5)
.5)
Howard
Park
0700(1.0)
0707(3.0)
0735(12.0)
0800(11.0)
0830(1.5)
0900(2.0)
0930(4.5)
1000(10.0)
1030(9.0)
1100(0.5)
32
-------
TETHERSONDE DATA
TETHERSONDE operations were conducted as described in Section 5 and
continued as long as prescribed operational limitations were not exceeded.
The following tables give the amount of data taken during each experiment
and denote chronologically the various ascents and descents of the instru-
mented package. Each ascent or descent is ascribed a run number. The
initial and final height of each run as well as its start, and stop time,
are listed. The duration gives the length of time that useable data were
obtained during each run. Total ascent and descent times are accumulated
for each experiment.
Experiment #1, Feb 7. 1977 (Tursiops^ Not Deployed)
Experiment #2, Feb 8. 1977 (28°00'N, 83°00'W)
Balloon detonation, no data acquired.
Experiment #3, Feb 10-11. 1977 (28°03'N, 83°03'W)
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
0:12.50
0:11.00
0:09.00
0:12.00
0:15.00
0:35.50
0:24.00
DURATION
(HT-.MIN)
0:10.25
0:02.50
0:12.50
0:13.75
0:12.50
RUN
NO
041-1
042-1
042-2
042-3
042-4
Experiment #4,
RUN
NO
042-5
042-6
042-7
BEGIN
RUN
2340.00
0010.00
0021.00
0030.00
0102.00
Feb 11,
BEGIN
RUN
1846.00
1930.00
1932.50
END
RUN
2352.50
0021.00
0030.00
0042.00
0140.00
1977 (28°00'N,
END
RUN
1902.25
1932.50
1945.00
INIT
HT(M)
0.00
177.19
217.41
176.23
201.81
82°52'W)
INIT
HT(M)
0.00
135.08
140.20
END
HT(M)
175.73
217.41
176.23
199.72
94.54
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
END
HT(M)
140.20
140.20
63.68
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
33
-------
Experiment #5. Feb 12. 1977 (28°00'N. 82°53'VJ)
RUN
NO
043-1
043-2
Experiment #6,
RUN
NO
046-1
046-2
046-3
046-4
046-5
046-6
046-7
046-8
046-9
046-10
046-11
046-12
Experiment #7,
Experiment #8,
RUN
NO
048-1
048-2
Experiment #9,
RUN
NO
049-1
049-2
BEGIN END
RUN RUN
1200.48 1203.54
1203.54 1208.16
Feb 15, 1977 (28°08'N
BEGIN END
RUN RUN
1150.38 1158.38
1242.32 1250.41
1310.00 1323.00
1347.88 1415.17
1415.17 1424.62
1437.67 1447.05
1447.05 1500.12
1500.12 1520.97
1520.97 1539.50
1600.11 1615.73
1647.00 1700.00
1700.00 1721.24
Feb 17, 1977(Tursiops
Feb 17, 1977 (28°08'N
BEGIN END
RUN RUN
1501.00 1524.00
1524.00 1602.50
Feb 18, 1977 (28°08'N
BEGIN END
RUN RUN
0817.00 0841.50
0900.25 1028.38
INIT
HT(M)
0.00
68.14
, 82°51'W)
INIT
HT(M)
19.62
249.35
351.85
511.79
165.10
350.30
266.97
541.04
339.92
489.76
32.96
503.96
END
HT(M)
68.14
11.55
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
END
HT(M)
237.52
334.06
521.19
165.10
350.30
266.97
541.04
339.92
518.42
300.04
503.96
206.22
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
0:03.06
0:04.62
0:03.06
0:04.62
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
0:08.00
0:08.09
0:13.00
0:27.29
0:11.45
0:09.38
0:13.07
0:20.85
0:09.53
0:15.62
0 : 1 3 . 00
0:21.24
1:16.14
1 : 34. 38
Not Deployed)
, 82°51 '£)
INIT
HT(M)
63.26
402.98
, 82°51'E)
INIT
HT(M)
18.99
328.77
END
HT(M)
402.98
8.57
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
END
HT(M)
371.51
0.36
ASCENDING:
DESCENDING:
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
0:23.00
0:30.50
0:23.00
0:30.50
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
0:24.50
0:50.83
0:24.50
0:50.83
34
-------
Total TETHERSONDE Operation
DURATION
(HR:MIN)
ASCENDING: 2:55.92
DESCENDING: 3:36.83
RADIOSONDE DATA
All radiosonde releases were made from the EQR fixed site located at the
southeast end of Tarpon Lake about 30 kilometers southeast of the Anclote
Power Plant. In addition, radiosonde information was obtained from the
National Weather Service station at Ruskin, Florida, 130 kilometers southeast
of the Anclote Plant. A composite table is shown below which lists all radio-
sonde data chronologically:
TABLE 2. A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF ALL RADIOSONDE RELEASES TAKEN DURING THE
ANCLOTE KEYS PLUME STUDY. FEB 1977
NO.
A
B
C
1
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
6
DATE
2/5/77
2/6/77
ii
2/7/77
M
ii
M
n
2/8/77
n
n
M
RELEASE
TIME(LST)
1800
0600
1800
0650
0600
1220
1858
1800
0015
0635
0600
1320
LOCATION
RUSKIN
II
II
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
n
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
M
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
MAX
ALT(mb)
700
M
II
779
700
11
II
11
820
700
n
n
_
-
-
Bal
-
-
-
-
Bal
-
-
2nd
COMMENTS
loon burst
loon burst
release, no winds
recorder mal
7
7
8
9
9
10
n
n
2/9/77
n
n
n
1902
1800
0020
0605
0600
1256
n
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
M
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
M
n
784
700
II
sfc data
-
-
function
Lost signal
-
-
Rel
ease late,
balloons
11
1757
RUSKIN
700
bursting. Release in
high winds ruptured
balloon, no 2nd release;
pibal winds taken
(TABLE 2 continued)
35
-------
(TABLE 2 continued)
NO.
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
DATE
2/10/77
ii
n
ii
2/11/77
n
n
n
2/12/77
II
II
II
2/13/77
n
M
M
2/14/77
II
II
II
2/15/77
n
n
ii
2/16/77
II
M
II
2/17/77
n
n
n
2/18/77
n
n
RELEASE
TIME(LST)
0010
0600
1205
1800
0000
0600
1200
1800
0030
0600
1205
1800
0010
0600
1347
1800
0005
0600
1200
1800
0010
0600
1205
1800
0015
0600
1315
1800
0030
0600
1340
1800
0044
0600
1800
LOCATION
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
EQR SITE
RUSKIN
n
MAX
ALT(mb)
700
n
928
700
n
n
—
700
700
n
931
700
n
—
700
M
M
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
732
700
n
n
M
M
M
n
M
M
n
COMMENTS
Balloon burst, no 2nd
release
No winds, theodolite
fogged
No release, EQR crew
needed elsewhere
No winds, time clock
malfunction
Balloon burst
Data not available
Balloons bursting;
needed 2nd release
No winds, Theodolite
fogged
Lost signal
Bad balloons; 2nd release
necessary
Late due to balloons
bursting during filling
36
-------
SECTION 7
DATA FORMATS
PIBAL DATA
All single and double pibal azimuth and elevation angles have been
recorded on cassette tape at the time of observation. Between launches the
data were transcribed onto data forms by the observer. The quality control
of pibal data included listening to all tapes to corroborate the data and to
scan closely all observations which might be considered questionable. These
raw observations are not in the Appendix but are available from the Contractor.
The pibal data were worked up analytically in an HP-97 calculator to
derive the average wind between 30-second observations. These wind speed
and direction results were also transcribed onto the data forms which contained
the raw angles.
Because pibal observations cannot be exactly spaced every 30 minutes and
since erroneous data in individual pibal launches can pass through routine
inspection, all pibal data were plotted graphically to construct a height-time
cross-section at each individual site for each experiment. Data were plotted
obliquely in the vertical to represent the passage of time during the pibal
run. Wind speeds and directions were analyzed separately to provide a homo-
geneous presentation of data. Wind speed and direction data were interpolated
at even 30-minute intervals and 100-meter levels from which the tables in
Appendix A were constructed.
TETHERSONDE DATA
The TETHERSONDE—-HP-97 data collection system described in Section 4
automatically produces a printout of the sampled meteorological variables at
intervals ranging from 5 seconds to 5 minutes. Additional derived printouts
can be obtained in real time at some sacrifice in the frequency of data
sampling.
37
-------
The printing HP-97 was programmed to produce 10 parameters during each
data frame allowing sampling at a rate of 1 complete cycle per 40 seconds.
The TETHERSONDE outputs are:
a. TIME - digital input from receiving station given hours, minutes,
and tenths of a minute
b. PRES - pressure (millibars) derived by subtracting the measured
incremental pressure drop from an inputed initial pressure (P )
P. =Po-APl
c. TEMP - ambient temperature (°C) measured at the altitude of the
instrument package (T.)
d. HGT - instrument height (m) derived by adding the newly computed
balloon height changes from the height of the previous instrument
height H. = AH. + ti
where the incremental height (AH) of the instrument package is
derived using observed and previous temperatures and pressures
P. ,
Hi = 29.27 (T + 273.15) In (-^-}
T. + T
where T = n 1-l
e. P TEMP - potential temperature is derived using the observed temp-
erature and pressure
innn -286
e1 = (T. + 273. 1 5) (-1590)
f. RH - relative humidity (percent) is derived from the measured temp
erature and wet bulb quantities
where e . is the vapor saturation pressure at temperature T. (C°),
-> > i i
( 7-5 Tj )
ec . = 6.1078 x 10 237'3 + Ti
5,1
e . is the saturation vapor pressure at wet bulb temperature T .
(c°),
/ 7.5 Twti \
esw,i = 6'1078 x 10 23?'3 + Tw'i
38
-------
and ., - esw_. - 6.6 x 10'4 (1 + .0015 T
where (T. - T .) is the wet bulb depression
g. DEW PT - dew point (°C) is derived from the humidity and temperature
(valid for pressures 900 - 1100 mb)
np = -5380 .
i wHU 5380 ' 273'15
Iru100' " Ti + 273.15
h. MIX - mixing ratio (g/kg of dry air) is derived using the total and
partial pressures of air and water vapor
,i - 622 ei
Wi - PT-rii
i. SPEED - wind speed (m/sec) is measured directly
j. W DIR - wind direction (magnetic) is measured directly by the
sensor package and is relayed to the HP-97
The HP-97 printed outputs were scanned for possible errors and were then
affixed to data forms with preprinted legends. Each page, if completely filled,
contains 12 complete data frames, 3 rows and 4 columns. Chronological order
proceeds from the top left and down each column. The time of data acquisition
is given by the first number in each block.
Experiment days are given in Julian days. Experiment runs are either
complete ascents or complete descents of the TETHERSONDE system and run num-
bers are incremented during each day. The BEGIN and END times pertain to the
beginning and end times of the complete ascent or descent and not just to the
data affixed to each data form. The initial pressure is the surface pressure
indicated by a precision aneroid barometer at the beginning of each run. All
TETHERSONDE data is presented in Appendix B.
RADIOSONDE DATA
The 403 MHz radiosonde system described in Section 2, proved quite
reliable and effected no gaps or blocks of missing data. All radiosonde data
was relayed to the ground-based receiver station at the EQR fixed site and
was recorded graphically as a multiplexed signal.
Strip chart data was trended and interpreted at the EQR fixed site sub-
sequent to the launch. Data reduction produced pressure, temperature, dewpoint,
39
-------
humidity, and wet bulb depression at significant levels in the atmosphere.
A significant level is needed wherever the vertical rate of change of temp-
erature or humidity changes such that the straight line approximations of
temperature and humidity between significant levels is no more different
than +1°C or +5% RH from the continuous vertical profiles.
All data for all significant levels were vertically plotted on EPA D-31
radiosonde forms. All meteorological data was listed on the same form in
DATA BLOCK A. Subsequent quality control ensured the quality and accuracy
of the radiosonde data.
The radiosonde data was plotted in a continuous 2 week height-time
cross-section. The temperature and humidity fields were analyzed and are
presented in Section 8, Data Interpretation. The wind fields are not presented
since each experiment is more accurately presented by the high resolution pibal
data shown in Appendix A. Radiosonde winds were extremely useful in pre-flight
planning.
TELETYPE AND FACSIMILE DATA
A large quantity of meteorological data has been archived that was
received through the two teletypes and a map facsimile machine installed at
the EQR fixed site for the duration of the experiment. This data was used
primarily for pre-flight planning on the range of 6-48 hours.
The teletype data from Circuit "A" consisted mostly of hourly weather
observations from airports around the country and from Florida in particular.
This was important in pinning the location of moving weather systems that
might move through the Tampa area. Hourly surface observations from Tampa
airport often proved useful.
Teletype Circuit "C" provided radiosonde data from across the country,
including from the Ruskin site near Tampa. It also carried many derived NMC
products such as mid and low level trajectory calculations, derived vertical
velocities, and expected tropospheric relative humidities.
The most invaluable tool was the map facsimile tied directly to NMC in
Washington which produced surface weather maps every 3 hours, radar depictions,
upper air maps, satellite imagery, nephanalyses, winds aloft charts, and many
40
-------
depictions of derived meteorological products such as vorticity and vertical
velocities. These charts were received and posted on a daily basis and have
been archived chronologically. The facsimile data proved invaluable in help-
ing produce the synoptic summaries.
41
-------
SECTION 8
METEOROLOGICAL DATA INTERPRETATION
METEOROLOGICAL OVERVIEW
The weather events of the two weeks (Feb 7 - Feb 18) provided a variety
of wind and stability regimes with a minimum of precipitation. Figures 13,
14, and 15 present radiosonde data taken at the EQR fixed site in height-time
cross-section format and show the vertical temeprature and humidity profiles
for the entire twelve days (Feb 7 - 18). Detailed winds fields are given in
Appendix B for the nine experimental periods.
The first week was dominated by a mound of Arctic high pressure that
settled over the southeast United States producing the climatologically
normal northeast wind pattern for the Florida peninsula. Figure 13, showing
Feb 7 through Feb 10, indicates little high level temperature change. However,
the inversion levels (light shaded areas) and areas of near saturation (ver-
tical lines) change substantially.
The inversion levels are either low-level, produced by surface cooling,
or mid-level, produced by subsidence. Low-level inversions are common the
first week as morning low temperatures reach into the upper thirties and low
forties. The moderating temperature within the air mass are apparent in the
rise of the daily temperatures. The freezing level still protrudes below
3000 m (10,000 ft) for this period. Mid-level inversions capping the well
mixed layer are common around 1500 m (5000 ft). A frontal wave had moved
along the frontal boundary to the south of Florida, causing the activity
noticeable on Feb 9. The hatched areas of greater than 80 percent humidity
represents cumulus and strato-cumulus buildups that penetrated the troposphere
to the base of the inversion. A warm pocket produced by subsidence is noted
on Feb 9 and again on Feb 10 which develops into an intense capping inversion
(Fig. 14).
42
-------
3000-f
2500-^
2000-J
h-3000
H2500
J-20HO
CO
INVERSION LMERS
Illllllllllllllll I AYt- i W PH
ISOTHERMS ( C)
LiOOPOSOTHCKMStfiH
OOCIO 0600 12'JO 1800 0000 0600 1200 1800 001)0 ObuJ 120U 1800 0000 0600 1200 1800
7 FEB 8 FEB 0 PEG 10 FEE
0000
FIGURE 13. Analysis of radiosonde data taken at the EQR fixed site Feb 7 - Feb 10.
-------
By Feb 11 and Feb 12 the low level air mass has been entirely converted
to a maritime regime with cumulus convection continually increasing. The
diurnal oscillation of the subsidence level is an noteworthy feature as is
the marked dryness (RH<20%) in the subsiding layers. The two days, Feb 11
and Feb 12, are almost identical except that the wind direction has turned
from east to southwest by midnight of the 13th.
A frontal passage occurred at Tampa from the west at 1200 1ST, Feb 13.
A lowering of the middle deck cloud layers proceeded during the morning hours
and showers were prevalent. The frontal zone entirely destroyed the capping
inversion. Cold air advection was negligible with this front. A southward
line of showers formed during the evening of the 13th and moved to the east
throuth the area.
Meteorological analysis of the data and the front's origin indicated
the air was of Pacific maritime origin cooler and slightly dryer than the
previous airmass. Moderate temperatures were the rule on the 14th as cloudi-
ness prevailed. During the 14th the cool front was stalled across southern
Florida. A wave moved along on the front late in the day causing light
showers.
A shallow ridge of high pressure lay across the Florida peninsula on
Feb 14 and 15 producing light winds that were easily affected by the land and
sea-breeze regimes (Fig. 15).
A fresh intrusion of cold and dry Arctic air surged through the Southeast
moving through Tampa just before midnight on the 15th. A secondary surge 12
hours later pushed the polar outbreak through southern Florida. Dewpoints
were driven as low as -10°C (14°F) across central Florida. Middle level
cloudiness the morning of the 17th prevented widespread killing frosts. The
top of the Arctic air can be seen clearly near 1000 m (3000 ft) at the base
of the inversion layer on the 16th and 17th.
A rapid change in the air mass occurs as winds switch to southwesterly on
Feb 18. Middle level subsidence becomes pronounced capping the development
of low level cumulus. Local frosts again occurred the morning of the 18th.
The very shallow inversion produced local inland fogs that burned off quickly.
44
-------
300CH
2500 H
cn
INVERSION LAV1.RS
Illllllllllllllll LAYERS . 80 I'll
1 SOUTHERNS ( C)
[SHDROSOrnrRt-'S (RHi
h500
uOUU
0600 1200 1800
11 FtB
i I
OC:)0 0600 1200
12 FE
._, ™™T---«Jn!:.»™,.u,. ^ ,,
1800 0000 0600 1200 1800
13 FFB
11 ME 1ST
0000 0600
1200 1800 0000
11 FEB
FIGURE 14. Analysis of radiosonde data taken at the EOR fixed site Feb 11 - Feb 14,
-------
THE EXPERIMENTS: METEOROLOGICAL SYNTHESIS
Experiment 1 (Feb 7, 1536-1736 LST)
During this afternoon flight the plume (Fig. 2) headed offshore to the
southwest. The two single pibal sites (Tables A-2 and A-3) both indicated a
marked vertical wind shear between the surface and 600 meters. Surface
northerly winds, a sea breeze effect, were undercutting warmer northeast
winds blowing off the Florida peninsula. Figure 13 indicates a thermal in-
version between 400 and 600 meters. The surface temperature maximum shown
on Feb 7th is at the EQR fixed site and will be much different under the plume
over the 14°C (57°F) Gulf. Under these conditions the plume rises only slightly
and maintains its identity for great distances (100-200 km). The ambient plume
humidities (near 300 meters) ranged from 40-50% at temperatures near 10°C.
The plume velocity at this level was about 6-7 m/sec.
Experiment 2 (Feb 8. 1323-1655 LST)
The meteorological conditions for the Feb 8 afternoon flight were simi-
lar to those of the first flight. An analysis of the three sets of pibal data
(Tables A-3, A-4, and A-5) again indicated a marked wind directional shear up
to 700 meters intensified by the low level Seabreeze.
The radiosonde data (Fig. 13) again depicts high afternoon temperatures
over land. Water temperature remained the same (14°C). The plume (Fig. 3)
again headed out to sea and due to the high stability maintained its identity.
The center!ine would be expected slightly higher than the previous experiment
or near 300-400m. Conditions at this altitude during the experiment gave
humidities between 60%-70% and temperatures about 12°C. Wind speeds at this
level averaged 6-7 m/sec.
Experiment 2A (Feb 10)
This experiment covers all Brookhaven Lab flights during the morning and
afternoon of the 10th. One pibal was set up to determine the meteorological
conditions. Low level stability again prevailed. Pibal data indicated a
strong sea breeze effect and a substantial directional shear.
A significant low level wind speed maximum prevailed into the early
morning hours with speeds in excess of 15 meters per second centered at 400
46
-------
3000 H
2500 -\
2000H
1500 -r
laoo H
500 H
0000 0600 1200
15 FEB
1800 0000 0600 1200
16 FCB
1800 0000 0600 1200 1800 0000 ULOO
17 FEB
TIME LSI
1200
18 FFB
FIGURE 15« Analysis of radiosonde data taken at the EQR fixed site Feb 15 - Feb 18.
-------
meters. As heating progressed the feature lifted to over 1000 meters and
dissipated. The plume center!ine ranged between 250-450 meters as the day
progressed. Morning humidities near 80% lowered to 60% by afternoon and
temperatures warmed only slightly from 10°C to 14°C. Wind speeds within the
plume were 10-12m/sec near 0800 LSI and were still near 8m/sec by afternoon.
Experiment 3 (Feb 10-11. 2330-0235 1ST)
During the early evening hours preceeding the night flight a dramatic
intensification of the low level jet occurred. The horizontal momentum
transfer in the lower 2000 m (6500 ft) increased by at least a factor 2.
This feature coincided with the beginnings of a marked mid tropospheric sub-
sidence that can be seen in the radiosonde data analysis on Feb 10, 1800 LST
(Fig. 13).
The low level jet reached maximum intensity and depth by 2100 LST on the
10th with speeds of 17 m/sec at 400 m and speeds of 10 m/sec up to 2400 m.
Winds veered with height from the surface to beyond 2000 m (6500 ft). Wind
speeds of up to 15 m/sec persisted throughout the night in a layer between
300m-400m. Surface winds were only 3-5 m/sec.
The plume was wisked rapidly to the west-southwest staying coherent under
the extreme stability conditions (Fig. 5). TETHERSONDE data indicated a
slight turning of the wind at 200 meter altitude (from 070°-080°) as the plume
crossed the coastline. A strong inversion is indicated at the surface early
in the evening of the 10th lasting all night. This feature trapped the plume
below 300 m. Meteorological conditions produced humidities of near 50% to
60% at plume level and temperatures of 13°C to 14°C. Wind speed of 12 m/sec
were fairly constant at 200 meters (Tables A-6 and A-7).
Experiment 4 (Feb 11, 1615-1928 LST)
By late afternoon of the llth the sea breeze and the middle level sub-
sidence were still in full force. The surface inversion is forming as the
experiment progresses (Fig. 14).
The low level jet begins to reestablish itself as the sea breeze initiates
around 2100 LST. Maximum winds were 12 to 14 m/sec at 250 meters (Tables A-8
and A-9). Winds again veered with height, becoming easterly at 800 m.
48
-------
The plume was caught in the sea breeze and streaked southward along the
coast across Clearwater (Fig. 6). Stability conditions increased through the
evening. Initially the plume was trapped below 400 m lowering to 300 m by the
end of the experiment.
Humidities in the plume ranged from 40% to 60% while temperatures were
near 20°C. Wind speeds at 300 meters increased from 6 to 12 m/sec by the
experiment's conclusion.
The TETHERSONDE data near the plume's path showed winds as high as 13
m/sec below 100 m.
Experiment 5 (Feb 12. 0713-1435 1ST)
Under strong middle tropospheric stabilization, conditions were ideal for
long-term plume tracking (Fig. 14). This experiment consisted of two MRI
flights which attempted to follow a plume parcel beyond 100 kilometers. De-
spite the fact that the wind veered constantly with time the plume was coher-
ent as far out as 130 km, the last measurement.
At the plume source, the Anclote Power Plant, a sharp sea-breeze initiated
just after 1100 1ST. Wind directions switched from 130° to 200° in an hour's
time (Table A-10). At the EQR fixed site the wind shift occurred near 1200
LST. During most of the experiment the plume was undergoing a slow transla-
tional movement toward the northeast. By the experiment's end the plume
appeared to hook to the left moving northward from the plume and then north-
westward across the Gulf of Mexico (Fig. 7).
The wind speed associated with the plume motion varied through the day.
The early morning low level wind speed maximum was at 300 m peaking to about
16 m/sec during the pre-flight hours. This low level phenomenon dissipated
during the morning hours up to the onset of the sea breeze. Plume speeds
ranged from 12 m/sec to 5 m/sec during the first flight. The speeds on the
second flight, away from the coastline measurements, have been estimated at
8 m/sec.
During the early flight humidities near 80% were experienced. Afternoon
values dropped to 60%. TETHERSONDE data indicates a sharp inversion over the
water with surface temperatures only 15°C at 1200 LST. Temperatures at plume
level vary from 16°C to 20°C as the day progressed.
49
-------
Experiment 6 (Feb 15, 1427-1709 LSI)
As the data in Tables A-13, A-14, and A-15 indicate the wind regime on
the afternoon of the 15th was quite turbulent. Wind directions were variable,
a sign that unstable convection was occurring. The plume drifted southeast-
ward near the EQR fixed site and toward Tampa Bay (Fig. 8).
All pibal sites measured a speed minimum near 700 meters (2300 ft) through'
out the day. This indicates that the plume would undergo substantial mixing
throughout the layer below this feature.
TETHERSONDE data indicates a substantial inversion offshore due to the
cold water. The inversion is below 200 meters and would not affect the plume
at its source even on the coastline.
Radiosonde data inland indicates no low level inversion as surface heating
quickly dissipated the near-surface inversion (Fig. 14). The sounding also
indicates two inversion levels one at 1500 meters and a lower one at 1000 m.
Drier air accompanied the northwest winds on the 15th. Humidities ranged
from 20% to 30%. TETHERSONDE humidity readings offshore are suspect at the
end of the experiment after 1650 1ST. Continued aspiration probably dried out
the wick causing a ficticious wet bulb depression. Temperatures at plume level
climbed slowly during the afternoon rising from 15°C to 19°C. Wind speeds
were light from 1.5 to 4.0 m/sec.
Experiment 7 (Feb 17. 0750-0926 LST)
Extremely cold Arctic air penetrated the Florida peninsula on Feb 16 and
produced wind speeds up to 20 meters per second out of the northwest (Tables
A-16, A-17, and A-18). Surface winds during the morning of the 17th swung
around to the northeast as a land breeze formed under the surface inversion
(Fig. 15). Radiosonde data shows a small inversion level at 500 meters at
1200 LST on the 17th marking the lifting of the morning inversion layer as
some limited heating occurred. Surface temperatures were barely able to equal
the Gulf water temperature at 14°C (57°F).
The morning MRI flight monitored the plume as it moved southwestward
along the coastline (Fig. 10). The plume is caught in an area of significant
backing winds with height, a sign of cold advection and negative stability.
50
-------
Especially during morning hours, plumes caught in a lifting inversion will be
violently fumigated for several hours until the inversion dissipates or until
the mixing layer becomes deep. However, the heating on the 17th was marginal
and fumigation, or downward ventilation, probably occurred for most of the
flight.
Temperatures in the plume, assuming an altutude below 300 m, ranged from
3°C-6°C. The air was very dry. The 1200 1ST surface dewpoint at Tampa
International Airport was -11°C (12°F), approaching an all-time record low.
Relative humidities in the plume ranged from 40% to 30%. Wind speeds within
the plume at the 200 meter level were erratic beginning near 15 m/sec to
about 7 m/sec at the end.
Experiment 8, (Feb 17, 1434-1755 LST)
Wind directions became northwesterly by the afternoon of the 17th. Pibal
data shows that winds veered with height in the lower 600 meters (Tables
A-19, A-20, andA-21) indicating a reestablishment of stability in the lower
levels (Fig. 15). It is likely for the plume to be well defined, especially
at the experiment's conclusion, and to remain in the 300-500 m range.
Under these conditions the plume drifted south-southeastward across
St. Petersburg (Fig. 11). Wind speeds began to lighten near the surface. The
plume movement ranged from 5 to 7 m/sec at the 400 level. Temperatures varied
from 5°C to 7°C. Humidities began to rise later in the day as the air began
to pick up moisture from the Gulf. Values of 55% to 60% were monitored at
plume level.
Experiment 9 (Feb 18. 0718-1046 LST)
Strong warm air advection began to take place aloft during the morning
of Feb 18 (Fig. 15). Significant veering with height occurred, especially
just above the low level cool land breeze that formed overnight (Tables
A-22 and A-23). At the beginning of the experiment the depth of this inversion
layer was about 400 meters, gradually weakening as heating progressed.
Under these conditions the plume would be vertically coherent but would
undergo substantial lateral shear fanning north and northeast from the Anclote
Power Plant (Fig. 12). During the three hours of the experiment wind direc-
tions at the plume level, near 400 meters, remained fairly constant.
51
-------
TETHERSONDE data indicated that during the last hours of the experiment
the adiabatic layer near the surface still had not reached plume height and
that an inversion still remained at the top of the land breeze. Wind direc-
tions from the pibal data (Tables A-22 and A-23) indicates that the land breeze
ceases after 1100 LSI.
Meteorological monitoring at plume height showed temperatures in the
range of 10°C-14°C. Humidities dropped from 80% to 60%. Windspeeds increased
during the morning hours from 5 to 10 m/sec.
52
-------
SECTION 9
UTILITY OF DOUBLE THEODOLITE PIBAL WINDS
The timely collection of accurate wind field data commanded high priority
in the planning of EQR's field support of the Tampa Power Plume study. The
scope of work was specially modified to deploy an additional pibal crewman to
work in conjunction with another to simultaneously track pilot balloon
launches. Operational techniques were developed to monitor the balloon's
position every 30 seconds and to derive, based on accurate measurements of the
observers' positions, the true wind speeds and directions without the need to
assume a balloon ascent rate. The results of the double pibal operations were
very positive. Several conclusions and recommendations are noted:
Pilot balloon ascent rates do vary from the standard ascent rate. Fig-
ures 16 and 17 represent the type of height-time cross-section to which all
pibal data were submitted in order to insure vertical and time continuity.
The data in Figure 16 were taken by the double pibal crews but the two data
sets were treated as single pibal data and averaged. The pibal data analysis
in Figure 16 tends to smooth out wind speed and direction irregularities that
inexact timing in the azimuth and elevation readings will introduce into the
calculations. Height and time continuity are attempted in the analysis yet
there is no way of evaluating the accuracy of the "perturbations" in the field,
especially above 1000 meters.
Figure 17 represents the same data after consolidation of the two sets of
azimuth and elevation angles, the baseline lengths, and its orientation to
calculate wind speed and direction (i.e. a double pibal). The greatest dif-
ference between the two figures lies near the tops of each one where the wind
field at the mid tropospheric inversion is depicted (also see Fig. 14). Os-
cillations along inversions have been documented in previous studies, so that
the purturbations in Fig. 16 could not be rejected out of hand. However, the
53
-------
analysis presented in Fig. 17 is unquestionably more accurate and agrees with
the inversion heights given from the radiosonde analyses of 0600 LSI and 1200
LSI.
Inaccurate height data substantially affect calculated wind speeds and
directions. The difference between the two figures is not just that plots of
pibal data have been adjusted up and down, but that the windspeed and direc-
tions themselves have been corrected. The improved accuracy of the double
pibal technique is evidenced in the regularity of the analyses of Fig. 17.
The synoptic situation was one of extreme stability in which smoother patterns
are to be expected.
Double pibal results are critically dependant on precise and simultanous
measurements of azimuth and elevation. Analytically the solution of two sets
of angles together with a baseline and its orientation is simple trigonometry.
However, the application of the program, inputed into an HP-97 printing calcu-
lator, gave results that, at times, were quite erratic in their vertical con-
tinuity.
A detailed analysis of the calculations show that two of the highly
critical inputs are the (9,+-, - 9 ) (azimuth) and (#t+-i - #t) (elevation)
between each observation for each site. These differences must be accurate
to +0.1° in order that derived wind speeds will be accurate to +0.4 m/sec
and that directions will be accurate to 3°.
When the azimuth and elevation angles are steady with time during an
ascent a high degree of accuracy can be maintained. Unfortunately, by
definition, one observer must watch the balloon from afar since the balloon
launch is done at one theodolite. Many balloons are lost by this observer
due to rapid angular changes, especially if the wind is bringing the balloon
toward this observer.
The other critical angle is 9, , - 9, (azimuth). When each observer
I , U C. , t,
is looking at the balloon at the same azimuth angle the solution blows up.
In all instances when the balloon curved downwind and crossed an extension
of the observer baseline (|91 , - Q~ J <5°), the wind speed and direction
calculations become obviously unstable. In attempting to rectify this problem,
it was found that the angles had to be expressed with +0.01° accuracy before
54
-------
0500
0600
0700 0800 0900 1000
TIKE (LSI)
1100
FIGURE 16. Height-time cross-section analyses of wind speed and
direction for experiment 5 at Anclote Island produced
by averaging the two single pibal results using a
standard ascent rate.
55
-------
2000
0500 0600 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100
TIME (LSI)
FIGURE 17. Height-time cross-section analyses of wind speed and
direction for experiment 5 at Anclote Island produced
by using two sets of azimuth and elevation angles
simultaneously and computing balloon heights.
56
-------
the solutions would have proper continuity.
Coincident timing of observations is critical to +1 sec under many
conditions. It is not difficult to analyze those double pibal observations
in which the balloon arcs across the baseline downwind and to compute the
exact time according to each observer that the azimuth angles are equal to
the baseline orientation. This was done in twelve cases and the average
angular disparity was 4.3° assuming that one observer was incorrectly aligned
and that observations were made simultaneously.
It is known that errors of 4.3° in orientation will not occur since pre-
and post- orientation checks were required of each observer. It was then
known that the timing, either from human or mechanical reasons, was the
culprit and that angular readings were not simultaneous.
A system must be set up so that each pibal observer simultaneously hears
the signal to record an observation. The communication system that was used
by the EQR double pibal crew on Anclote Island and then at Howard Park -
Sunset Beach was a battery operated walkie-talkie. Only intermittent con-
versations could be made or else the batteries would become depleted. These
instruments were mobile and could be activated by the pibal observer releasing
the balloon so that dual tracking could be initiated. It was at this time that
the standard 30-second beepers were activated and no further communication
between observers was conducted.
The beepers were soon discarded when it was found that they varied from
28 to 32 seconds, especially when their battery voltage dropped. Also it was
suspected that beeps were missed altogether or that short erroneous beeps were
periodically inserted. A number of pibal runs from the Anclote Island set
showed evidences of 20-30 seconds out of sync at the end of 12 minutes.
The best method available turned out to be the use of wrist watches, since
stop watches were not provided. The release and radio call were made at an
even minute mark and it was up to the other observer to synchronize the release
to his watch. Errors of up to +5 seconds can occur just at release. It is
also a difficult task to watch the theodolite scope and a wristwatch simultane-
ously, resulting in missed and late readings.
57
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It is possible to calculate smooth balloon heights using the double pibal
technique and to use it to calculate accurate pibal data. In a test of the
accuracy of the standard ascent rate principle, each double pibal was inputed
through the HP-97 program. The program produced 30-sec balloon heights which
were compared to the standard ascent rates and to all other releases for that
day. It was found that, even when height values were meaningless where the
two observer azimuth angles were < 5° apart, the heights looked reasonable
both below and above this point. Smooth curves were analyzed through the
height data for each release to determine the best fit ascent rate.
The height at 30-second intervals was interpolated from each curve and
was inputed into the double pibal data. Figure 17 was calculated in this
manner. The height after 12.0 minutes is 1600 meters according to the stand-
ards for 10 gram pibal releases. Forty-nine double pibal releases were used,
eighteen on the Anclote Keys and twenty-one on the coast, to determine a 12-
minute height of 1662 meters for 10 gram pibal releases representative of the
2 weeks of experiments in Florida.
Precise baseline and orientation measurements are required to produce
accurate double pibal data. For the two double pibal set-ups baselines of
629 and 1776 meters were used. These values were calculated from precision
azimuth readings taken from each site of notable features that could be
accurately marked on USGS maps. Each observer first oriented his theodolite
toward the other so that they were exactly 180° out of phase and at the same
elevation.
The largest island of the Anclote Keys offered few landmarks except that
of a lighthouse at its southernmost end. However, only one observer was able
to sight on it due to height of the vegetation. The Anclote Plant and nearby
a radio tower were used to sight on as well as a lighted buoy to the south of
the island. All angles were recorded to +0.1°.
Unfortunately, after initial double pibal height calculations were
compared to those of Howard Park-Sunset Beach, the Anclote heights were 10%
higher systematically. This fact indicated that the computed Anclote base-
line distance was probably 10% too large. Additional computations showed
that the three sets of orientation points did not give consistent baseline
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results and that one in particular, the one originally used, was probably
10% too large.
The problem was reduced to two aspects: first, the orientation of the
two sites to the buoy were within 2° of each other, providing very little
significant accuracy. Secondly, measurements of orientation angles should
be to +0.01° at all times. The calculated baseline measurement 629 meters
is probably accurate to +4%.
The orientation at Howard Park-Sunset Beach was accomplished to +0.01°
accuracy using two orientation points. The lighthouse and the Anclote Power
Plant stack were easily seen to both observers. The baseline distance of
1776 meters is approaching the limit of practicality for viewing and produces
about the best accuracy one can expect. The baseline is accurate to +1%
which would produce only inconsequential errors in the wind speed and dir-
ection results.
On the basis of the preceding experiences, the following recommendations
are summarized:
1. Ground-to-ground FM radio communication between double pibal sites
should be set up to simultaneously carry a pre-taped countdown for
the balloon launch and for each 30-second reading.
2. All double pibal observations of azimuth and elevation should be
interpolated to +0.01° accuracy.
3. All double pibal releases must be made by the downwind observer,
accounting for low level wind shears that will swing the balloon
around.
4. Double pibal sites should each be oriented utilizing at least three
points, two of which preferably located perpendicular to the line of
double theodolite orientation, whose azimuthal line of sight should
be measured within +0.01°.
5. Theodolite systems should eventually be converted to digital output
systems that automatically record the balloon azimuth and elevations
at whatever frequency is needed. The observer initializes the system
and maintains the balloon under the theodolite cross-hairs for the
entirety of the flight.
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APPENDIX A
PIBAL WINDS FOR ANCLOTE KEYS PLUME STUDY (7-18 FEB 77)
Derived wind data (height, direction, and speed) and raw observations
(zenith, azimuth, and time of ascent) are available in tabular form from
the Environmental Quality Research, Inc. for the cost of copying and
handling charges.
APPENDIX B
TETHERSONDE DATA FOR ANCLOTE KEYS PLUME STUDY (10-18 FEB 77)
Vertical profile data (time, pressure, temperature, height, potential
temperature, relative humidity, dew point, mixing ratio, wind speed, and
wind direction) are available in tabular form from the Environmental
Quality Research, Inc. for the cost of copy and handling charges.
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/7-78-117
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOf^NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
ANALYSIS OF METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING THE
1977 ANCLOTE KEYS PLUME STUDY
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
L. Hull, W. Dannevik, and R. Woodford
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
Q. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Quality Research, Inc.
225 S. Meramec-Suite 1121T
Clayton, MO 63105
10. PBOGRAr.,1 ELEMENT NO.
1NE625 EA-13 (FY-77)
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-02-2500
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory - RTF, NC
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final 2/77-11/77
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/09
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
Meteorological conditions are described and analyzed for nine experimental
observation periods of the Anclote Keys Plume Study, which was conducted near Tampa,
Florida during February 1977. The primary objective of the Plume Study was to
investigate both the short and long range transport of power plant plumes and the
formation rate of sulfate in a marine environment.
The forecasting center, radiosonde, pilot balloon, and tethersonde systems
are also described, and the data acquisition schedules are included. Raw pilot
balloon and tethersonde observations and the derived wind fields are not included,
but are available from the authors.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
ti.!DENTlF;:-r_,crE.J EIMOED T ER vis L. CDS ATI Field/Group
Air pollution
''Plumes
Electric power plants
^Analyzing
Meteorological balloons
Radiosondes
Tethered balloons
SM,
Anclote Keys, Florida
Gulf Coast
13B
21B
10B
04B
14B
OAA
01C
3. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
UNCLASSIFIED
!1. NC. OF PAGES
71
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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