Modelling of Airborne Primary and Secondary Particulate Matter with the EUROS-Model

Abstract

We used the Eulerian Chemistry-Transport Model EUROS to simulate the concentrations of airborne fine particulate matter above Europe. Special attention was paid to both primary as well as secondary particulate matter in the respirable size range up to 10 μm diameter. Especially the small particles with diameters up to 2.5 μm are often formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursor compounds. Comprehensive computer codes for the calculation of gas phase chemical reactions and thermodynamic equilibria between the compounds in the gas phase and those ones in the solid phase had been implemented into the EUROS-model. Obtained concentrations of PM 10 for the year 2003 are compared to measurements. Additionally, calculations were carried out to assess the contribution of emissions derived from the sector agriculture in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. The obtained results demonstrate the importance of ammonia emissions in the formation of secondary particulate matter. Hence, future abatement policy should consider more the role of ammonia in the formation of secondary particles.