Title: Application of a photochemical model for the assessment of regional air quality in Southern Italy: procedures and results

Authors: Annalisa Tanzarella; Ilenia Schipa; Angela Morabito; Camillo Silibello; Roberto Giua; Giorgio Assennato

Addresses: Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy ' Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy ' Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy ' ARIANET s.r.l., Via Gilino, 7, 20128, Milano, Italy ' Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy ' Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy

Abstract: A modelling system based on FARM chemical transport model is applied to assess the air quality (AQ) over the Apulia region (Southern Italy) for 2013. The most relevant pollutant sources in the region are a steel plant, the largest in Europe (in the Taranto area), a coal fired power plant, the second most powerful in Italy (in the Brindisi area) and biomass burning for residential heating. Simulation results indicate exceedances for PM₁₀ daily limit value and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) annual limit values occurring in some areas. The evaluation of the model performance has been conducted by using the software DELTA Tool, developed within FAIRMODE to support the application of the EU Air Quality Directive. Results show good performance of the model, with a tendency to underestimate PM₁₀ and O₃ levels. These results suggest the use of this modelling strategy for further source apportionment studies, in order to identify the sources that mainly affect air quality and to implement proper emission control strategies.

Keywords: air quality assessment; photochemical model; model evaluation tool; performance criteria; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2017.089401

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2017 Vol.62 No.2/3/4, pp.102 - 126

Received: 22 Aug 2016
Accepted: 26 Jan 2017
Published online: 23 Jan 2018 *

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