The Bolzano Tracer Experiment (BTEX)

Abstract The paper describes the observational and modeling efforts performed under Bolzano Tracer Experiment (BTEX). BTEX focused on basin surrounding city of Bolzano, at junction three tributary valleys southern side Alps, to characterize ground-level impact pollutants emitted by a waste incinerator close city, atmospheric factors controlling dispersion processes in whole basin, different winter weather situations. As part experiment, two controlled releases passive gas tracer (sulfur hexafluoride, SF 6 ) were through stack 14 February 2017 times, starting respectively 0700 1245 LST, representative distinct phases daily cycle. Samples ambient air collected target sites, later analyzed using mass spectrometer, allowing detectability limit down 30 ppt. Meanwhile, meteorological conditions continuously monitored means high-resolution, nonconventional network ground-based instruments, including 15 stations, one temperature profiler, sodar, Doppler wind lidar. Data from above measurements represent rare examples integrated datasets available community for characterization typical mountainous environment. In particular, they offered reference benchmark testing calibrating series combined numerical suites prediction pollutant simulation such complex terrain, as shown paper.