Title: Air pollution forecast in Portugal: a demand from the new air quality framework directive

Authors: Alexandra Monteiro, Myriam Lopes, Ana Isabel Miranda, Carlos Borrego, Robert Vautard

Addresses: Departamento de Ambiente, Universidade de Aveiro (UA), 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Departamento de Ambiente, Universidade de Aveiro (UA), 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Departamento de Ambiente, Universidade de Aveiro (UA), 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Departamento de Ambiente, Universidade de Aveiro (UA), 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (LMD), Ecole Polytechnique, F-91128 Palaiseau, France

Abstract: This work aims at developing and validating a numerical air quality operational forecasting system that will be applied over Portugal. The CHIMERE model was chosen for the chemistry-transport simulation using the meteorological parameters supplied by the MM5 mesoscale meteorological model, forced by the AVN/NCEP global forecasts. An experiment of 48-hour real-time forecast simulations was performed, on a daily basis, during the four summer months of 2003. The numerical model system is then evaluated against hourly time series of basic meteorological variables and of ozone and NO2 concentrations, collected in several Portuguese monitoring stations included in meteorological and air quality network. Statistical skill scores are discussed and compared with previous studies. The results point this developed model system as a useful tool that can be used and implemented to anticipate pollution episodes, to local and regional air quality management and for population information purpose.

Keywords: air quality forecasting; numerical modelling; meteorological model; chemistry-transport model; validation; ozone; nitrous oxide; Portugal; air quality framework directive; air pollution; EU Directive; simulation; air quality management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007650

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2005 Vol.25 No.1/2/3/4, pp.4 - 15

Published online: 31 Aug 2005 *

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