Monthly dispersion characteristics over the South China Sea for air quality modeling

Monthly dispersion characteristics for air quality modeling over the South China Sea offshore the west coast of Borneo are studied using long-term ship measurements. It is found from monthly averages that the stability condition is nearly neutral throughout the year with the exception of April, May, and November which are slightly unstable. The lifting condensation level ranged from 338 to 450 m. The lowest value of the ventilation factor occurred in April and the highest in January. The friction velocity for each month is also provided to determine the vertical eddy diffusivity and horizontal and vertical dispersion coefficients.