Distributed sensor network for local area atmospheric modeling

In the event of a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) chemical or radiological release, quick identification of the nature and source of the release can support efforts to warn, protect and evacuate threatened populations downwind; mitigate the release; provide more accurate plume forecasting; and collect critical transient evidence to help identify the perpetrator(s). Although there are systems available to assist in tracking a WMD release and then predicting where a plume may be traveling, there are no reliable systems available to determine the source location of that release. This would typically require the timely deployment of a remote sensing capability, a grid of expendable air samplers, or a surface sampling plan if the plume has dissipated. Each of these typical solutions has major drawbacks (i.e.: excessive cost, technical feasibility, duration to accomplish, etc...). This paper presents data to support the use of existing rapid-response meteorological modeling coupled with existing transport and diffusion modeling along with a prototype cost-effective situational awareness monitor which would reduce the sensor network requirements while still accomplishing the overall mission of having a 95% probability in converging on a source location within 100 meters.