Atmospheric methyl chloroform: a leaky water tank example

Robert MacKay

Clark College Physics and Meteorology

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection.

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This page first made public: Mar 31, 2010

Summary

Atmospheric methyl chloroform concentration is modeled as an extension of the generic water tank structure. Simulated and observed concentrations are used to estimate the global atmospheric lifetime of methyl chloroform and its 1989 to 2009 emission history.

Pollutants, Pollutants, Air Quality, Environmental Science | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

Students in an environmental modeling course who have been introduced to the generic leaky water tank structure.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Have reviewed graphing.
Are familiar with the notation of the derivative and its graphical interpretation.
Have used Stella II software several times (this is a fairly simple model to construct)

How the activity is situated in the course

This is intended as an activity for the 4th or 5th week of 15 week environmental modeling class. A solid introduction to modeling, the Stella II modeling environment, and introductory concepts from system dynamics (equilibrium, time constant, stocks and flows) is assumed.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Be able to model the behavior of an atmospheric trace gas that can be characterized by a single lifetime.
Use model and observations to estimate emissions and atmospheric lifetime.
Learn basics of least squares comparison
Begin to think about how models can help in the development and monitoring of public policy