Title: Sensitivity analysis of ozone long term simulations to grid resolution

Authors: Marco Bedogni, Veronica Gabusi, Giovanna Finzi, Enrico Minguzzi, Guido Pirovano

Addresses: Mobility and Environment Agency, Environmental and Energy Department, via Beccaria 19, 20122 Milano, Italy. ' Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Dipartimento di Elettronica per l'Automazione, via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy. ' Universita degli Studi di Brescia, Dipartimento di Elettronica per l'Automazione, via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy. ' Emilia Romagna Region, Meteorological Service, viale Silvani 6, 40122 Bologna, Italy. ' CESI Research Centre, Environmental Studies Department, via Rubattino 54, 20134 Milano, Italy

Abstract: In the frame of the CityDelta European modelling intercomparison, three different atmospheric chemistry transport models have been applied over the Milan area for a six-month summer simulation. To better evaluate the models| reliability and cleverness in simulating the long-term dynamics of pollutants in the atmosphere, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis with regard to all model configuration and input data has been carried out. This work deals particularly with the evaluation of the horizontal grid resolution influence (varying from 5 to 10 km). Results show that, in a flat area, ozone concentrations are quite insensitive to grid resolution as for mean values, while statistics of some extreme values are more sensible to horizontal model resolution. Nitrogen dioxide seems to be more sensitive than ozone, as it is more linked to emission spatial resolution.

Keywords: photochemical pollution modelling; CityDelta intercomparison exercise; chemistry transport models; Northern Italy; grid resolution; sensitivity analysis; simulation; atmospheric dispersion modelling; meteorological data; air quality; air pollution; ozone concentrations; pollutant concentration; nitrogen dioxide.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007384

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2005 Vol.24 No.1/2/3/4, pp.51 - 63

Published online: 15 Jul 2005 *

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