Abstract & Overview
In this research, the dispersion of gaseous pollutants emitted from the Sahand thermal power plant was simulated using AERMOD software to determine the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide in the surrounding area. AERMOD was used to analyze the concentration patterns of these pollutants within a 35.9 km2 domain, covering the cities of Bonab, Ajabshir, and Khoshehmehr, along with their nearby villages. For this purpose, two years of meteorological data, along with geographical information and emission source characteristics, were utilized to estimate pollutant concentrations over averaging periods of 1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours, and annual averages. Comparison of the modeled results with the limits defined in the environmental standards indicates that the maximum concentrations of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide in residential areas are within the permissible limits. However, the highest concentration of sulfur dioxide exceeds the limits in some villages, suggesting a potential health risk for residents.