NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF TOPOGRAPHY'S INFLUENCE ON POLLUTANTS IN THE BANDUNG BASIN USING THE WRF-CHEM MODEL

• Main Author: Yongsi Putra, Sabri
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Geologi, hidrologi & meteorologi
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/75020
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The purpose of this study is to describe the distribution and concentration of PM2.5 pollutants caused by complex topographic interactions in the Bandung Basin region, using the numerical simulation model WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry). This research is conducted in response to significant air pollution issues in the region, caused by dense human activities, rapid industrial growth, and high vehicle traffic. However, there have not been many previous studies that clarify the extent to which topography plays a role in the impact of air pollutants in the Bandung Basin. In this study, three simulation scenarios were performed by modifying the topography using the WRF-Chem model. The first scenario was the control simulation with no changes in topography. The second scenario involved modifying the topography in the northern part of the basin, while the third scenario involved modifying the topography in the southern and northern parts of the basin. Subsequently, an analysis was conducted on the wind patterns and PM2.5 concentrations in each scenario The simulation results showed that topography plays a crucial role in pollutant dispersion, and modifying the topography can alter the direction and speed of the wind as well as the distribution of PM2.5. Modifying the topography can open up airflow pathways that were previously obstructed, resulting in a broader and more even dispersion of PM2.5. Additionally, the simulations indicated that PM2.5 concentrations tend to be higher in areas with low wind speeds or zones obstructed by topography. The topography modification scenarios, especially scenarios 2 and 3, had different effects on PM2.5 dispersion. The modification on the northern side (scenario 2) increased PM2.5 concentrations in the northern mountainous region of the basin, while the wider modification in the southern and northern sides (scenario 3) reduced PM2.5 concentrations in the southern part of the Bandung Basin. Furthermore, the PM2.5 pollutants tended to be concentrated in the southern region of the Bandung Basin in the control scenario, but topography modification could alter the dispersion pattern of these pollutants.