This study is a regional assessment of the potential impacts on air quality of utilization of Sabalan geothermal power plant northwestern Iran. A network of thirty sampling point and a meteorological station were installed to characterize the air quality and atmospheric transport properties of the area before development. These instruments measured the concentrations of H2S, CO2, SO2, NO, NO2 and particulates. Wind velocities and directions were also measured to determine atmospheric stability. By using these data the background dispersion model for each gas were prepared in the GIS environment.

In the current study the prediction distribution of H2S after utilization of geothermal power plant (GPP) were modeled. To achieve this goal the geothermal steam were analyzed chemically to estimate potential emission rates of air pollutions from the planned 50 MW geothermal power plant.

The Industrial Source Complex Model (ISC3View) was applied to make the prediction dispersion model of H2S which will be release to the local atmosphere from the 50 MW planned geothermal power plant. The prepared background and prediction model were combined in the GIS environment.

The results show that the H2S concentrations will be lower than standard in 98% of the area and the pollutant from power plant, will be transferred to the northeast and east. The maximum concentration of H2S about 31 ppb will be in the areas close to the powerhouse. The concentration of H2S will be close to the Department of Environment (DOE)

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