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Evaluation of operational online-coupled regional air quality models over Europe and North America in the context of AQMEII phase 2. Part II: Particulate Matter
Citation:
Im, U., R. Bianconi, E. Solazzo, I. Kioutsioukis, A. Badia, A. Balzarini, R. Baró, R. Bellasio, D. Brunner, C. Chemel, G. Curci, H. Denier van der Gon, J. Flemming, R. Forkel, L. Giordano, P. Jiménez-Guerrero, M. Hirtl, A. Hodzic, L. Honzak, O. Jorba, C. Knote, P. Makar, A. Manders-Groot, L. Neal, J. Pérez, G. Pirovano, G. Pouliot, R. San Jose, N. Savage, W. Schroder, R. Sokhi, D. Syrakov, A. Torian, P. Tuccella, K. Wang, J. Werhahn, R. Wolke, R. Zabkar, Y. Zhang, J. Zhang, C. Hogrefe, AND s. Galmarini. Evaluation of operational online-coupled regional air quality models over Europe and North America in the context of AQMEII phase 2. Part II: Particulate Matter. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 115:421-441, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory’s Atmospheric Modeling Division (AMAD) conducts research in support of EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. AMAD’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. AMAD 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 AMAD 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 second phase of the Air Quality Model Evaluation International Initiative (AQMEII) brought together seventeen modeling groups from Europe and North America, running eight operational online-coupled air quality models over Europe and North America on common emissions and boundary conditions. The simulated annual, seasonal, continental and sub-regional particulate matter (PM) surface concentrations for the year 2010 have been evaluated against a large observational database from different measurement networks operating in Europe and North America. The results show a systematic underestimation for all models in almost all seasons and sub-regions, with the largest underestimations for the Mediterranean region. The rural PM10 concentrations over EU are underestimated by all models by up to 66% while the underestimations are much larger for the urban PM10 concentrations (up to 75%). On the other hand, there are overestimations in PM2.5 levels suggesting the large underestimations in the PM10 levels can be attributed to the natural emissions. Over NA, there is a general underestimation in all seasons and sub-regions by up to ~90%. SO4 levels over EU are underestimated by majority of the models while NO3 levels are largely overestimated, particularly in east and south Europe. NH4 levels are also underestimated largely in south Europe. SO4 levels over NA are particularly overestimated over western US that is characterized by large anthropogenic emissions while the eastern US is characterized by underestimated SO4 levels by the majority of the models. AOD555 is simulated within the 50% error range over both continents with differences attributed to differences in concentrations of the relevant species as well as in approaches in estimating the AOD. Results show that the simulated dry deposition simulated can lead to substantial differences among the models.
URLs/Downloads:
FINAL FINAL SUBMISSION POULIOT AQMEII PAHSE 2. PAERII.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 3747.069 KB, about PDF)Atmospheric Environment
