Development and evaluation of a ground-level area source analytical dispersion model to predict particulate matter concentration for different particle sizes

•Particulate matter deposition – PMD model incorporating dry deposition was developed.•Performance of the PMD model was statistically evaluated using a field data set.•Data set included particulate matter emissions from a biosolids applied agricultural field.•Model effectively predicted particulate matter concentrations for different particle sizes.

The dispersion of particulate matter downwind of a biosolids applied site was modeled incorporating dry deposition. For this purpose, a ground-level area source analytical dispersion model known as particulate matter deposition – PMD was developed. The PMD model includes dry deposition which involves particulate deposition velocities in predicting concentrations. The performance of this model was statistically evaluated after applying it to particulate matter emitting from an agricultural field applied with biosolids. The results of the statistical evaluation are presented for different particle sizes. The statistical evaluation results showed that the PMD model satisfied the criteria for most of the statistical performance measures considered. This study concludes that the PMD model can be used effectively in predicting particulate matter concentrations with dry deposition in unstable conditions (B and C) at different wind speed categories for near-field downwind distances of an area source.