Estimating Downwind Concentrations of Viable Airborne Microorganisms in Dynamic Atmospheric Conditions (Journal Version)

摘要

A Gaussian plume model has been modified to include an airborne microbial survival term that is a best-fit function of laboratory experimental data of weather variables. The model has been included in an algorithm using microbial source strength and local hourly mean weather data to drive the model through a summer- and winter-day cycle. For illustrative purposes, a composite airborne virus (developed using actual characteristics from two viruses) was used to show how wind speed could have a major modulating effect on near-source viable concentrations.