Mesoscale circulations and regional air pollution

Graphical representation of spatial and temporal scales of dynamical meteorological phenomena, atmospheric dispersion processes, atmospheric chemical processes and human and environmental impacts of air pollution are presented in order to understand spatial and temporal scales of air pollution. Based on a simple definition of the regional scale, this scale analysis leads to the conclusion that atmospheric mesoscale phenomena are most important in determining the scales and severity of regional air pollution. An examination of the literature shows that this is indeed the case, in the sense that published studies exist which document strong effects of mesoscale atmospheric phenomena on regional air pollution.