3. Thermal Inversions What is the purpose of the tall smokestacks we see at coal-burning power plants? 93-73-53-33-13-3717 Normally a negative temperature gradient exists near the earth Id this has important 250 70 consequence for the dispersal of pollutants 200 A parcel of warm polluted air released into the lower levels of 40 the atmosphere under normal meteorological conditions, it will 100 rise in the atmosphere to as much as 10.000 meters 50 However, not all meteorological 10 conditions are conducive to this 160180200220240260280300 upward motion of the warmed polluted3. Thermal Inversions • Normally a negative temperature gradient exists near the earth, and this has important consequence for the dispersal of pollutants. • A parcel of warm polluted air released into the lower levels of the atmosphere under normal meteorological conditions, it will rise in the atmosphere to as much as 10,000 meters. • However, not all meteorological conditions are conducive to this upward motion of the warmed polluted air. What is the purpose of the tall smokestacks we see at coal-burning power plants?