INFLUENCE OF SURFACE METEOROLOGICAL DATA ON AERMOD-SIMULATED TSP DISPERSION FROM MDF FACTORY
Abstract
This study evaluates the influence of surface meteorological data on the dispersion of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) emitted from a Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) factory in Southern Thailand using AERMOD model. Meteorological inputs from two nearby stations, Khohong and Sadao, were applied to simulate emissions from six stacks and predict concentrations at 15 receptors within a 10 km radius during 2020–2023. The results demonstrated that Sadao data generated higher localized concentrations due to weaker winds and more stable atmospheric conditions, whereas Khohong data produced wider dispersion plumes with lower ground-level concentrations under stronger mixing. Despite these differences, all predicted values complied with Thailand’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (24-hour: 200 µg/m3; annual: 80 µg/m3). Model validation indicated moderate agreement with observations, highlighting both the capability of AERMOD for regulatory applications and the sensitivity of outcomes to meteorological inputs. The findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate meteorological stations in tropical monsoon climates to ensure accurate and representative air quality assessments.