Original scientific paper
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF MODEL RESOLUTION ON OZONE PREDICTIONS OVER SOME AREAS IN SPAIN
Oier Azula
; Departamento de Química Física, UPV, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Marta G.Vivanco
; Atmospheric Pollution Unit, Environmental Department, CIEMAT, Avda, Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Mauricio Correa
; Group of Engineering and Environmental Management –GIGA -, Antioquia University, A. A. 1226, Blo. 20 Off.346, Medellín, Colombia
Inmaculada Palomino
; Atmospheric Pollution Unit, Environmental Department, CIEMAT, Avda, Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Fernando Martin
; Atmospheric Pollution Unit, Environmental Department, CIEMAT, Avda, Complutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Abstract
Abstract. Due to the complex chemistry involved in troposheric ozone formation, it is difficult to predict the impact of controlling
ozone precursor emissions. For this reason, modeling has become an important tool to predict ozone levels under varying emission
scenarios. In spite of the efforts focused on reducing pollutant emissions, ground-level ozone concentrations in Spain are still
exceeding thresholds established in EU legislation to protect human health and prevent damage to ecosystems. Resolution plays a
significant role in modeling, especially when trying to simulate local effects. Higher resolution allows a more accurate definition of
air pollutant transport pathways, although higher computing time is required. Besides the better definition of pollutants transport, a
better model performance is also expected when simulating higher resolution domains. In this paper model predictions for three
different resolutions have been analyzed over some areas in Spain (Madrid, Valencia and País Vasco) for 2004. Simulations of
photochemical compounds were carried out using the regional V200603par-rc1 version of the CHIMERE model. A comparison
between hourly model predictions and observations was done for O3 and NO2 in 2004. An improvement of ozone predictions was
found for Madrid and Valencia areas when considering a higher resolution. The improvement of model predictions is more clearly
observed for NO2 in this two areas. In the País Vasco area this improvement is not observed.
Keywords
ozone; photochemical modeling,air quality; model evaluation; spatial resolution
Hrčak ID:
64172
URI
Publication date:
12.12.2008.
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