Title: Long-term simulations of particulate matter in Europe on different scales using sequential nesting of a regional model

Authors: M. Memmesheimer, E. Friese, A. Ebel, H.J. Jakobs, H. Feldmann, C. Kessler, G. Piekorz

Addresses: Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research (RIU), EURAD-Project, University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 201–209, D-50931 Cologne, Germany

Abstract: A regional model system for the simulation of air quality in Europe (EURAD) has been employed for long-term calculations of atmospheric pollutants on different scales. The model allows sequential nesting. Starting with a domain covering most of Europe, the nesting procedure was used to scale down the simulations to a highly populated and industrialized area, namely NorthRhine-Westphalia (NRW). The analysis of results is focusing on the simulation of particulate matter (PM₁₀) for the year 1997. This parameter is of special interest in the framework of air pollution control as demanded by the European Union. The model takes account of various components of the atmospheric aerosol, including secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Their role in the budget of particulate matter is briefly shown. The model data are compared with measurements of the monitoring network of NRW. Hit rates for a given range of accuracy are discussed for PM₁₀ and NO₂. It is found that a large part of deviating results may be ascribed to shortcomings in the applied aerosol emission inventories, in particular, and that it is worthwhile to improve them for the application to future air quality assessments based on numerical simulations.

Keywords: air quality model; emissions; EURAD model system; long-term simulation; particulate matter; PM₁₀; sequential nesting; air pollution; atmospheric pollutants; atmospheric aerosols; aerosol emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2004.005530

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2004 Vol.22 No.1/2, pp.108 - 132

Published online: 12 Oct 2004 *

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