CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis

This study presents an evaluation of the CHIMBO modeling chain applied to the Italian domain, specifically focusing on the Po Valley subdomain over the one-year period of 2019. The comparison between simulated and observed data indicates that the performance of the CHIMBO model aligns well with exis...

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Main Authors: Tony Christian Landi, Marco Paglione, Mauro Morichetti, Fabio Massimo Grasso, Fabrizio Roccato, Rita Cesari, Oxana Drofa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1386
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author Tony Christian Landi
Marco Paglione
Mauro Morichetti
Fabio Massimo Grasso
Fabrizio Roccato
Rita Cesari
Oxana Drofa
author_facet Tony Christian Landi
Marco Paglione
Mauro Morichetti
Fabio Massimo Grasso
Fabrizio Roccato
Rita Cesari
Oxana Drofa
author_sort Tony Christian Landi
collection DOAJ
description This study presents an evaluation of the CHIMBO modeling chain applied to the Italian domain, specifically focusing on the Po Valley subdomain over the one-year period of 2019. The comparison between simulated and observed data indicates that the performance of the CHIMBO model aligns well with existing literature on other state-of-the-art models. The results demonstrate that the CHIMBO chain is particularly effective for regional-scale quantitative assessments of pollutant distribution, comparable to that of CAMS ensemble models. The analysis of key chemical species in particulate matter reveals that the CHIMBO model accurately represents the average concentrations of organic and elemental carbon, as well as secondary inorganic compounds (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium), particularly at background monitoring stations in the flat terrain of the Po Valley, with the exception of Aosta, a city located at about 500 m asl. However, seasonal discrepancies were identified, especially during winter months, when significant underestimations were observed for several species, including elemental and organic carbon, predominantly at background sites. These underestimations are likely attributed to various factors: (i) inadequate estimations of primary emissions, particularly from domestic heating; (ii) the limited effectiveness of secondary formation processes under winter conditions characterized by low photochemical activity and high humidity; and (iii) excessive dilution of pollutants during calm wind conditions due to overestimation of wind intensity. In conclusion, while the CHIMBO modeling chain serves as a robust tool for mesoscale atmospheric composition investigations, limitations persist related to emissions inventories and meteorological parameters, which remain critical drivers of atmospheric processes.
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spelling doaj-art-d9e51134273e4f43aef12a6f29b9b11c2024-11-26T17:50:38ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-11-011511138610.3390/atmos15111386CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes AnalysisTony Christian Landi0Marco Paglione1Mauro Morichetti2Fabio Massimo Grasso3Fabrizio Roccato4Rita Cesari5Oxana Drofa6National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 40129 Bologna, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 40129 Bologna, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute for Mediterranean Agricultural and Forestry Systems (CNR-Isafom), 06128 Perugia, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 73100 Lecce, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 40129 Bologna, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 73100 Lecce, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy-Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC), 40129 Bologna, ItalyThis study presents an evaluation of the CHIMBO modeling chain applied to the Italian domain, specifically focusing on the Po Valley subdomain over the one-year period of 2019. The comparison between simulated and observed data indicates that the performance of the CHIMBO model aligns well with existing literature on other state-of-the-art models. The results demonstrate that the CHIMBO chain is particularly effective for regional-scale quantitative assessments of pollutant distribution, comparable to that of CAMS ensemble models. The analysis of key chemical species in particulate matter reveals that the CHIMBO model accurately represents the average concentrations of organic and elemental carbon, as well as secondary inorganic compounds (sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium), particularly at background monitoring stations in the flat terrain of the Po Valley, with the exception of Aosta, a city located at about 500 m asl. However, seasonal discrepancies were identified, especially during winter months, when significant underestimations were observed for several species, including elemental and organic carbon, predominantly at background sites. These underestimations are likely attributed to various factors: (i) inadequate estimations of primary emissions, particularly from domestic heating; (ii) the limited effectiveness of secondary formation processes under winter conditions characterized by low photochemical activity and high humidity; and (iii) excessive dilution of pollutants during calm wind conditions due to overestimation of wind intensity. In conclusion, while the CHIMBO modeling chain serves as a robust tool for mesoscale atmospheric composition investigations, limitations persist related to emissions inventories and meteorological parameters, which remain critical drivers of atmospheric processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1386chemical transport modelmesoscale air quality modelingItalyPo ValleyPM chemical composition
spellingShingle Tony Christian Landi
Marco Paglione
Mauro Morichetti
Fabio Massimo Grasso
Fabrizio Roccato
Rita Cesari
Oxana Drofa
CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
Atmosphere
chemical transport model
mesoscale air quality modeling
Italy
Po Valley
PM chemical composition
title CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
title_full CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
title_fullStr CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
title_full_unstemmed CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
title_short CHIMBO Air Quality Modeling System: Verification and Processes Analysis
title_sort chimbo air quality modeling system verification and processes analysis
topic chemical transport model
mesoscale air quality modeling
Italy
Po Valley
PM chemical composition
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1386
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