Title: An inverse modelling approach for estimating vehicular emissions in urban coastal areas of the Messina Strait

Authors: Antonio Cantelli; Giovanni Leuzzi; Paolo Monti; Paolo Viotti

Addresses: DICEA, Università di Roma 'Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy ' DICEA, Università di Roma 'Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy ' DICEA, Università di Roma 'Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy ' DICEA, Università di Roma 'Sapienza', Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy

Abstract: The CALPUFF modelling system was used to predict dispersion of contaminants emitted from industrial, naval and vehicular sources in the Strait of Messina area (Italy). This region is of particular interest in that it relates to the construction of the Messina Bridge, the road infrastructure linking the Italian mainland and Sicily. The domain includes two cities, i.e., Messina and Reggio Calabria, and other urban complexes located mainly along the shoreline. One of the main problems encountered during the investigation was the lack of data regarding vehicular emissions. Therefore, an indirect method was developed, and the data of the urban air quality monitoring stations of the two cities were considered during the procedure. The results show a good agreement with measures at receptors. The method seems to give a valid alternative when network traffic data are not available in urban areas.

Keywords: CALPUFF; pollutant dispersion; inverse modelling; vehicle emissions; traffic emissions; urban areas; environmental pollution; Messina Strait; coastal areas; Italy; air quality; air pollution; atmospheric dispersion modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2012.051199

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2012 Vol.50 No.1/2/3/4, pp.274 - 282

Published online: 19 Nov 2014 *

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