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Lagrangian Sampling of 3-D Air Quality Model Results for Regional Transport Contributions to Sulfate Aerosol Concentrations at Baltimore, MD in Summer of 2004
Citation:
Fairlie, T., J. SZYKMAN, A. GILLILAND, R. Pierce, C. Kittaka, S. Weber, J. ENGEL-COX, R. R. Rogers, J. TIKVART, R. SCHEFFE, AND F. DIMMICK. Lagrangian Sampling of 3-D Air Quality Model Results for Regional Transport Contributions to Sulfate Aerosol Concentrations at Baltimore, MD in Summer of 2004. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 43(20):3275-3288, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory′s (NERL′s) Atmospheric Modeling Division (AMD) conducts research in support of EPA′s mission to protect human health and the environment. AMD′s research program is engaged in developing and evaluating predictive atmospheric models on all spatial and temporal scales for forecasting the Nation′s air quality and for assessing changes in air quality and air pollutant exposures, as affected by changes in ecosystem management and regulatory decisions. AMD is responsible for providing a sound scientific and technical basis for regulatory policies based on air quality models to improve ambient air quality. The models developed by AMD are being used by EPA, NOAA, and the air pollution community in understanding and forecasting not only the magnitude of the air pollution problem, but also in developing emission control policies and regulations for air quality improvements.
Description:
The Lagrangian method provides estimates of the chemical and physical evolution of air arriving in the daytime boundary layer at Baltimore. Study results indicate a dominant role for regional transport contributions of those days when sulfate air pollution is highest in Baltimore, with a principal transport pathway from the Ohio River Valley (ORV) through southern Pennsylvania and Maryland, consistent with earlier studies. This study serves as a prototype for the method applied to Baltimore. EPA is establishing a system to allow air quality planners to readily produce and access equivalent results for locations of the choice.
