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AMMONIA: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, EMISSIONS, INORGANIC PM 2.5, AND CLEAN AIR INTERSTATE RULE
Citation:
PINDER, R. W., A. GILLILAND, R. L. DENNIS, P. ADAMS, AND S. N. PANDIS. AMMONIA: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, EMISSIONS, INORGANIC PM 2.5, AND CLEAN AIR INTERSTATE RULE. Presented at EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, July 28, 2006.
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this task is to thoroughly characterize the performance of the emissions, meteorological and chemical/transport modeling components of the Models-3 system, with an emphasis on the chemical/transport model, CMAQ. Emissions-based models are composed of highly complex scientific hypotheses concerning natural processes that can be evaluated through comparison with observations, but not truly validated. Static and Dynamic Operational, Diagnostic, and ultimately Probablistic evaluation methods are needed to both establish credibility and build confidence within the client and scientific community in the simulations results for policy and scientific applications. The characterization of the performance of Models-3/CMAQ is also a tool for the model developers to identify aspects of the modeling system that require further improvement.
Description:
This presentation discusses the role of ammonia as an atmospheric pollutant. Ammonia is emitted primarily from agricultural sources, although vehicles are the largest sources in urban centers. When combined with nitrate and sulfate, ammonia forms particulate matter which has been statistically associated with pulmonary and cardiac health impacts. In this presentation, we show that ammonia emission reductions are a cost-effective control strategy for reducing inorganic PM2.5 in nonattainment areas. We also show that after future NOx and SO2 emission reductions (as a result of the Clean Air Interstate Rule) the sensitivity of PM2.5 to NH3 emissions decreases, and deposition of NH3 to ecosystems increases.