The sensitivity of Mid-Atlantic United States air quality to current and planned anthropogenic emission reductions
Abstract
The sensitivity of Mid-Atlantic air- and water-quality (ozone and fine particulate matter [PM2.5]concentrations and sulfate and nitrate deposition) to anthropogenic emissions is evaluated through a comparison of 12-km resolution Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) output from year 2002 Northeast United States simulations with actual and reduced anthropogenic emissions. The base and sensitivity simulations were coordinated by the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) in support of State Implementation Plan development for certain areas designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as being in nonattainment of the 8- hr ozone and annual PM2.5 standards. In general, O3 and PM2.5 concentrations agree well with measurements; however, the spatial extent and magnitude of O3 concentrations during major pollution episodes is often underestimated. Comparison of model-calculated fields from the base- and sensitivity-runs are used to illustrate the possible benefits of current and planned emission regulations on Mid-Atlantic air- and water-quality. Factors responsible for uncertainties in these benefits will be examined.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFM.A43G..02A
- Keywords:
-
- 0345 Pollution: urban and regional (0305;
- 0478;
- 4251);
- 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry;
- 0368 Troposphere: constituent transport and chemistry