Predicting dust concentrations in Newcastle, NSW

Two models were used to estimate wind-blown dust in the Kooragang and Inner Newcastle area of NSW in Australia. The first was DUSTCON, which is a screening model for fugitive dust emissions, and the second was DISPMOD, a Gaussian plume air quality model which was modified to incorporate an algorithm for dust emissions that accounted for the dust suppression effects of rainy days. Contours of dustball, and of total suspended particles obtained from the models were similar in shape and reflected the strong meteorological influence on dust transport. However, when the results are compared to observations it is apparent that dust suppression activities practiced by industry, but not included in the inventory used as inpu to the models, reduce emissions very significantly.