Abstract

The FRAME (Fine Resolution Atmospheric Multi-pollutant Exchange) model is a Lagrangian atmospheric transport model with a horizontal grid resolution of 5 × 5 km2. This work uses FRAME to calculate annual average concentrations of three secondary inorganic aerosol species (NH4 +, NO3 −, SO4 2−) and gas phase SO2 over the United Kingdom for the years 2000–2010. Modelled concentrations are compared to measurements from 12 monitoring sites which are operated with the UK Eutrophying and Acidifying Air Pollutants (UKEAP) Acid Gases and Aerosols Network (AGANet). The results showed good spatial correlation between measurements of gas and aerosol concentrations and modelled values (R2 > 0.8). However FRAME underestimated decreases in sulphate and ammonium aerosol concentrations over the 11-year period and overestimated changes in SO2 concentrations relative to measurements. Ongoing work to investigate temporal changes in atmospheric oxidation rates should clarify this difference. FRAME showed a more modest reduction in nitrate concentrations (compared to ammonium and sulphate), which is in agreement with measurements.

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