What does a Gaussian distribution in puff releases depend on?

A Gaussian distribution in puff releases is primarily dependent on wind speed uniformity. In atmospheric dispersion modeling, Gaussian distributions are used to describe the concentration of pollutants released into the atmosphere, assuming that they disperse symmetrically around a mean. The behavior of these releases is heavily influenced by how uniform the wind speed is during the dispersion process.

When wind speed is uniform, it leads to a more regular and predictable spread of the puff through the atmosphere, resulting in a classic bell-shaped Gaussian curve. This uniformity allows for consistent spreading, enabling the mathematical models to accurately depict how concentrations diminish with distance from the release point. In contrast, if wind speed varies significantly, it can lead to erratic dispersion patterns that deviate from the expected Gaussian shape.

While humidity levels, surface temperature, and geographical features can influence overall atmospheric conditions and dispersion, they do not directly define the Gaussian nature of puff releases as fundamentally as the uniformity of wind speed does.