Abstract
Abstract. Air quality over Europe using Models-3 (i.e., CMAQ, MM5, SMOKE) modelling system is performed for winter (i.e., January 2006) and summer (i.e., July 2006) months with the 2006 TNO gridded anthropogenic emissions database. Higher ozone mixing ratios are predicted in southern Europe while higher NO2 levels are simulated over western Europe. Elevated SO2 values are simulated over eastern Europe and higher PM2.5 concentrations over eastern and western Europe. Regional average results suggest that NO2 and PM2.5 are underpredicted, SO2 is overpredicted, while Max8hrO3 is overpredicted for low mixing ratios and is underpredicted for the higher mixing ratios. However, in a number of countries observed and predicted values are in good agreement for the pollutants examined here. Speciated PM2.5 components suggest that NO3 is dominant during winter over western Europe and in a few eastern countries due to the high NO2 mixing ratios. During summer NO3 is dominant only in regions with elevated NH3 emissions. For the rest of the domain SO4 is dominant. Low OC concentrations are simulated mainly due to the uncertain representation of SOA formation.
Highlights
Appel 20 et al (2012) using Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system found that the model overestimates winter daytime ozone mixing ratios in Europe by an average of 8.4 % while in the summer slightly underestimated by 1.6 %
Emissions are processed by the Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions (SMOKE v2.6) modeling system to convert their resolution to the resolu20 tion needed by the air quality model using monthly, weekly and hourly time profiles provided by TNO (TNO, 2011)
High ozone concentrations are illustrated in southern Europe where meteorological conditions enhance ozone production (Fig. 3)
Summary
Air quality management strategies are applied during the last years in order to reduce atmospheric pollutant concentrations, ozone and particulate matter pollution are still an issue For this reason simulating and forecasting gaseous and particle concentrations as accurately as possible is fundamental in air quality planning for more effective adaptation and implementation guidelines. Langmann et al (2008) using the regional scale atmospheric 25 climate chemistry/ aerosol model REMOTE, found that the deviation between modeled and measured organic carbon concentrations can be mainly explained by missing formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) and deficiencies in emission data As such authors suggest that an updated emission inventories need to take into account the changing heating practices in Europe. The evaluation of the aerosol components in the CALIOPE air quality modeling system over Europe 10 (Basart et al, 2012) highlights underestimations in the fine fraction of carbonaceous matter (EC and OC) and secondary inorganic aerosols (i.e. nitrate, sulphate and ammonium)
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