Comparison of simple and advanced regional models
The core of this five year project consists of evaluating the performance characteristics of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model for real regulatory applications, in order to assist the UK Environment Agency to make an informed decision whether to include advanced modelling as one of its assessment approaches. CMAQ will be compared with existing methods: FRAME for acid deposition, TRACK-ADMS for annual audits and POCP and OSRM for ozone. CMAQ is currently applied to a series of assessments including acid deposition, particulate matter and ozone, and evaluated through targeted comparisons with simpler models and with measurements, according to agreed model acceptance criteria.
In the first phase, the performance of CMAQ is being compared with those of FRAME and TRACK-ADMS for producing footprints of deposition and concentrations resulting from the UK Environment Agency regulated industrial emissions. Meanwhile, we are assessing the capabilities of CMAQ as a practical tool for modelling acid deposition, ozone and size speciated particulate matter. The challenge here is to conduct annual simulations as it requires a well-defined methodology. The WRF-ARW model is being employed for generating meteorological fields for CMAQ.
Sulphate component of the aerosols on 25 November 2002 at 12 UTC (inner domain covers the UK at 5km resolution).
For more information, please go to the CREMO website.
Acknowledgements & collaborations:
The UK Environment Agency for funding the project and JEP partners for contributing to the model comparisons.