A numerical model of the transport and diffusion of Peronospora tabacina spores in the evolving atmospheric boundary layer

Numerical solutions of the diffusion equation of Peronospora tabacina spores from a finite-area source over flat terrain in the evolving convective boundary layer are presented. Temporal variations in the release of spores, atmospheric stability, wind speed, and eddy diffusivity are considered. The model also includes the vertical variations of wind and eddy diffusivity. The model results indicate that ground level concentrations decrease with time as wind speed and eddy diffusivity increase in the evolving convective boundary layer. The loss of P. tabacina spores due to deposition at the surface also decrease with increasing instability and wind speed. Deposition is found to be particularly important close to the source area.