Airsheds—An Environmental Variable for Territorial Planning: A Case Study of Sogamoso Valley, Boyacá, Colombia

Abstract

A preliminary characterization analysis of airshed originating in Sogamoso Valley, Boyacá, using air parcel trajectories as a tool for territorial planning. In this context, in order to establish and identify the probable border of airshed was based on knowing the behavior of the meteorological variables and topography of the study area, was calculated with the HYSPLIT model air parcel trajectories during the months of February and April where the dry and wet seasons of 2015 were established. Results allow identify a possible connection with air quality and the circulation of air parcel from Sogamoso Valley a study area where one of the industrial corridors with the highest emission of pollutants is located, to other regions that have presented high air pollution indices for the PM₁₀ pollutant and the relationship of meteorological and topographic variables for the demarcation of the airshed was evidenced. From this it is proposed this methodology as criteria for territorial planning as a management unit and support for air quality monitoring systems, in order to establish an environmental variable as main axis for territorial decision making.