Remote sensing and atmospheric modeling in support of an atmospheric ionisation trial

The Australian Rainfall Corporation (ARC) sought support from the University Oof Queensland (UQ) to assist a trial of atmospheric ionization technology in enhancing rainfall. ARC installed the Atlant weather modification technology at Paradise Dam on the Burnett River located approximately 20 km north-west of Biggenden and 80 km south-west of Bundaberg, Queensland. The Atlant technology generates a negative ion discharge intended to produce airborne electrons that become hydrated ions and aerosols capable of being cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), thereby potentially increasing the natural creation of rainfall. This report documents: (1) the initial results of a remote sensing and image processing study to monitor cloud and atmospheric properties in the target and control area and, (2) the results of using The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) to model the transport and dispersion of the hydrated ion plume formed by the emission of negative ions from the Atlant. Results are based on observations from the 7th January 2008 to 6th February 2008. In the case of the remote sensing, nominated dates for image processing were provided by ARC for events where ARC believed rainfall enhancement occurred.