Article: Modelling dispersion of smoke from wildfires in a Mediterranean area Journal: International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP) 2014 Vol.55 No.1/2/3/4 pp.219 - 229 Abstract: We present a modelling system for the estimation of forest fire emissions (prebolchem-fire) and their inclusion in the atmospheric composition model BOLCHEM. Emission fluxes have been estimated following the methodology proposed by Seiler and Crutzen (1980) and using MODIS 'burned area product'. Then they are modulated following the WRAP approach (WRAP, 2005). This approach is also used for the estimations of fire emission height. Model simulations have been performed for the period 22-30 August 2007, in which fires were most severe in Greece, Albania and Algeria. The estimated emission fluxes have been compared with those estimated by the global model FINNv1 (fire inventory from NCAR) and the difference between the two emissions have been discussed. The modelled concentration of black carbon aerosol is compared with measurements at PEARL station lidar, Tito Scalo, Potenza (40.63°N, 15.80°E, 760 m asl), Italy, on 30 August 2007. We discuss the discrepancies between the measured and modelled vertical distribution concentrations of black carbon aerosol, probably due to uncertainties related to the estimation of the total flux and of the injection height of the smoke. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Modelling dispersion of smoke from wildfires in a Mediterranean area

Authors: Rita Cesari; Massimo D'Isidoro; Alberto Maurizi; Mihaela Mircea; Francesca Monti; Claudia Pizzigalli; Francesco Tampieri

Addresses: ISAC-CNR sede di Lecce, Str. Prov. Lecce-Monteroni km 1200, 73100 Lecce, Italy ' ENEA, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy ' ISAC-CNR sede di Bologna via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy ' ENEA, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy ' ISAC-CNR sede di Bologna via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy ' Saipem S.P.A., 61032 Fano PU, Italy ' ISAC-CNR sede di Bologna via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy

Abstract: We present a modelling system for the estimation of forest fire emissions (prebolchem-fire) and their inclusion in the atmospheric composition model BOLCHEM. Emission fluxes have been estimated following the methodology proposed by Seiler and Crutzen (1980) and using MODIS 'burned area product'. Then they are modulated following the WRAP approach (WRAP, 2005). This approach is also used for the estimations of fire emission height. Model simulations have been performed for the period 22-30 August 2007, in which fires were most severe in Greece, Albania and Algeria. The estimated emission fluxes have been compared with those estimated by the global model FINNv1 (fire inventory from NCAR) and the difference between the two emissions have been discussed. The modelled concentration of black carbon aerosol is compared with measurements at PEARL station lidar, Tito Scalo, Potenza (40.63°N, 15.80°E, 760 m asl), Italy, on 30 August 2007. We discuss the discrepancies between the measured and modelled vertical distribution concentrations of black carbon aerosol, probably due to uncertainties related to the estimation of the total flux and of the injection height of the smoke.

Keywords: forest fires; fire emissions; environmental pollution; Mediterranean area; atmospheric dispersion modelling; smoke dispersion; wildfires; air pollution; emission fluxes; black carbon aerosol.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2014.065927

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2014 Vol.55 No.1/2/3/4, pp.219 - 229

Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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Title: Modelling dispersion of smoke from wildfires in a Mediterranean area

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