What term refers to the time period during which the contaminant becomes airborne?

What term refers to the time period during which the contaminant becomes airborne?

• A. Release duration
• B. Source duration
• C. Plume rise
• D. Evaporation time

Answer: (B)

The time period during which contaminants actually enter the air from the source is described as the source duration. This is the active emission window—when the release is happening and the plume starts forming and may be transported by the wind. Plume rise refers to the initial upward motion of the released material, not how long the release lasts. Evaporation time isn’t about releasing the contaminant into the air at all; it’s about how long a liquid takes to volatilize before it becomes airborne. Release duration is a similar idea, but in SAChE the standard term used for the active emission period is source duration.

The time period during which contaminants actually enter the air from the source is described as the source duration. This is the active emission window—when the release is happening and the plume starts forming and may be transported by the wind. Plume rise refers to the initial upward motion of the released material, not how long the release lasts. Evaporation time isn’t about releasing the contaminant into the air at all; it’s about how long a liquid takes to volatilize before it becomes airborne. Release duration is a similar idea, but in SAChE the standard term used for the active emission period is source duration.