Estimation of relative dispersion parameters from atmospheric turbulence spectra

A practical method for estimating relative dispersion parameters from observed atmospheric turbulence spectra is presented and discussed. This method is based on the association of the relative dispersion and meandering processes with appropriately defined time scales, allowing the computation of dispersion parameters from the filtered Lagrangian turbulent velocity spectra. The parameters for the appropriate high-pass filter functions, required for the calculation of properties relevant to in-plume phenomena, are not assumed a priori but are determined through an iterative integral technique. Comparison with field data confirms the validity of the method and shows it appropriate for application in conjunction with various spectral functions.