Title: A nested application of four-dimensional variational assimilation of tropospheric chemical data

Authors: Achim Strunk; Adolf Ebel; Hendrik Elbern

Addresses: Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 209, Cologne, Germany; Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), P.O. Box 201, 3730 AE De Bilt, Netherlands. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 209, Cologne, Germany. ' Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research at the University of Cologne, Aachener Strasse 209, Cologne, Germany

Abstract: The chemistry transport model system EURAD-IM and its variational data assimilation module are applied to assess air quality conditions during the measurement campaign VERTIKO. The inverse modelling system has been designed to run in a nested setup, assimilating in-situ observations and measurements by remote sensing. The benefits of joint initial value and emission rate optimisation are emphasised, significantly enhancing analysis skill for air quality related constituents including ammonia and benzene.

Keywords: chemistry transport modelling; variational data assimilation; air quality; air pollution; EURAD-IM; inverse modelling; ammonia; benzene.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2011.042607

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2011 Vol.46 No.1/2, pp.43 - 60

Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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