Effects on atmospheric diffusion of meteorological processes in coastal zones

TLDR: In coastal areas, the step change in surface characteristics at the land-water interface also causes the formation of internal boundary layers that have different transport velocities and diffusion rates than those of the unmodified air upwind or above the boundary as discussed by the authors.

Abstract: Meteorological processes in coastal zones differ from those inland because of the surface discontinuity between land and water. The differences in temperature between the two surfaces give rise to sea or lake breeze circulations, which can transport pollutants in nongradient directions and recirculate them over source areas. The step change in surface characteristics at the land-water interface also causes the formation of internal boundary layers that have different transport velocities and diffusion rates than those of the unmodified air upwind or above the boundary. These features require a more extensive measurement program and more versatile diffusion models than are needed for inland sites.