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RECENT ADVANCES IN THE MODELING OF AIRBORNE SUBSTANCES
Citation:
Pouliot, G, S. HE, AND T E. Pierce Jr. RECENT ADVANCES IN THE MODELING OF AIRBORNE SUBSTANCES. Presented at Models-3 User's Workshop, Research Triangle Park, NC, October 27-29, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this task are to continuously develop and improve EPA's mesoscale (regional through urban scale) air quality simulation models, such as the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, as air quality management and NAAQS implementation tools. CMAQ is a multiscale and multi-pollutant chemistry-transport model (CTM) that includes the necessary critical science process modules for atmospheric transport, deposition, cloud mixing, emissions, gas- and aqueous-phase chemical transformation processes, and aerosol dynamics and chemistry. To achieve the advances in CMAQ, research will be conducted to develop and test appropriate chemical and physical mechanisms, improve the accuracy of emissions and dry deposition algorithms, and to develop and improve state-of-the-science meteorology models and contributing process parameterizations.
Description:
Since the 1950's, the primary mission of the Atmospheric Modeling Division has been to develop and evaluate air quality simulation models. While the Division has traditionally focused the research on the meteorological aspects of these models, this focus has expanded in recent years to include emission processors, a critical but inaccurate component of air quality modeling. The need for emission modeling has been prompted by the realization that many emission processes require dynamically-responsive algorithms that account for the meteorological conditions and the need for innovative ways to evaluate emissions inventories. Three areas of concern are: 1) Biogenic emissions - development and integration of the third generation of the Biogenic Emissions Inventory System (BIES-3) 2). Fugitive Dust emissions - development and testing of geographical databases and a dynamic algorithm for making episodic estimates of wind blown fugitive dust and unpaved road dust. 3). Air-Quality Forecasting - creation of an emission processing system for an air quality forecasting system at the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
This paper has been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's peer and administrative review policies. Mention of products or trade names does not constitute endorsement or recommendation of their use.