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Modelling Saharan dust transport into the Mediterranean basin with CMAQ
Abstract The need for a better quantification of the influence of Saharan dust transport processes on the air quality modelling in the Mediterranean basin led to the formulation of a dust emission module (DEM) integrated into the Air Quality Risk Assessment System for the Iberian Peninsula (SERCA). This paper is focused on the formulation of DEM based on the GOCART aerosol model, along with its integration and execution into the air quality model. It also addresses the testing of the module and its evaluation by contrasting results against satellite products such as MODIS and CALIPSO and ground-level observations of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and concentration levels of PM10 for different periods in July 2007. DEM was found capable of reproducing the spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal profiles of Saharan dust outbreaks into the Mediterranean basin and the Atlantic coast of Africa. Moreover, it was observed that its combination with CMAQ increased the correlation degree between observed and modelled PM10 concentrations at the selected monitoring locations. DEM also enhanced CMAQ capabilities to reproduce observed AOT, although significant underestimations remain. The implementation of CMAQ + DEM succeeded in capturing Saharan dust transport into the Iberian Peninsula, with contributions up to 25 and 14 μg m− 3 in 1 h and 24 h average PM10 respectively. The general improvement of total PM10 predictions in Spain are however moderate. The analysis of model performance for the main PM components points out that remaining PM10 underestimation is due to dust local sources missing in the inventories and misrepresentation of organic aerosol processes, which constitutes the main areas for future improvement of CMAQ capabilities to simulate particulate matter within SERCA.
Highlights ► A dust emission module has been implemented in the WRF–SMOKE–CMAQ modelling system. ► The system has been applied and evaluated for Saharan dust outbreaks into Europe. ► Contributions up to 14 μg m−3 to 24-h PM10 concentration were predicted in Spain. ► Global R-value for ground-level PM10 increased from 0.33 to 0.48. ► Good agreement with satellite products although AOD is underestimated.
Modelling Saharan dust transport into the Mediterranean basin with CMAQ
Abstract The need for a better quantification of the influence of Saharan dust transport processes on the air quality modelling in the Mediterranean basin led to the formulation of a dust emission module (DEM) integrated into the Air Quality Risk Assessment System for the Iberian Peninsula (SERCA). This paper is focused on the formulation of DEM based on the GOCART aerosol model, along with its integration and execution into the air quality model. It also addresses the testing of the module and its evaluation by contrasting results against satellite products such as MODIS and CALIPSO and ground-level observations of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and concentration levels of PM10 for different periods in July 2007. DEM was found capable of reproducing the spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal profiles of Saharan dust outbreaks into the Mediterranean basin and the Atlantic coast of Africa. Moreover, it was observed that its combination with CMAQ increased the correlation degree between observed and modelled PM10 concentrations at the selected monitoring locations. DEM also enhanced CMAQ capabilities to reproduce observed AOT, although significant underestimations remain. The implementation of CMAQ + DEM succeeded in capturing Saharan dust transport into the Iberian Peninsula, with contributions up to 25 and 14 μg m− 3 in 1 h and 24 h average PM10 respectively. The general improvement of total PM10 predictions in Spain are however moderate. The analysis of model performance for the main PM components points out that remaining PM10 underestimation is due to dust local sources missing in the inventories and misrepresentation of organic aerosol processes, which constitutes the main areas for future improvement of CMAQ capabilities to simulate particulate matter within SERCA.
Highlights ► A dust emission module has been implemented in the WRF–SMOKE–CMAQ modelling system. ► The system has been applied and evaluated for Saharan dust outbreaks into Europe. ► Contributions up to 14 μg m−3 to 24-h PM10 concentration were predicted in Spain. ► Global R-value for ground-level PM10 increased from 0.33 to 0.48. ► Good agreement with satellite products although AOD is underestimated.
Modelling Saharan dust transport into the Mediterranean basin with CMAQ
Paz, David de la (author) / Vedrenne, Michel (author) / Borge, Rafael (author) / Lumbreras, Julio (author) / Manuel de Andrés, Juan (author) / Pérez, Javier (author) / Rodríguez, Encarnación (author) / Karanasiou, Angeliki (author) / Moreno, Teresa (author) / Boldo, Elena (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 70 ; 337-350
2013-01-08
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Air quality modelling , Dust transport , Particulate matter , CMAQ , DEM , SERCA , Remote sensing , AOT , Saharan dust , AERONET , Aerosol Robotic Network , AOD , Aerosol Optical Depth , Aerosol Optical Thickness , AQM , Air Quality Model , CALIPSO , Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation , Community Multiscale Air Quality , AVHRR , Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer , DREAM , Dust Regional Atmospheric Model , EMEP , European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme , GOCART , Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport , MFE , Mean Fractional Error , MFB , Mean Fractional Bias , MODIS , Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer , NAAPS , Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction , PM , Particulate Matter , RGB , Red Green Blue , SMOKE , Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions , TAB , Total Attenuated Backscatter , UTC , Universal Time Coordinated , WRF , Weather Research and Forecasting