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MM5-SMOKE-CMAQ as a modeling tool for 8-h ozone regulatory enforcement: application to the state of Arizona

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Abstract

The Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Meteorological Model 5 (MM5), Sparse Matrix Operator Kernal Emissions (SMOKE), and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling systems were employed to simulate ozone concentration distribution within the State of Arizona, in particular, Phoenix air basin, as supporting information to designate nonattainment areas of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new 8-h ozone standard. In general, based on statistical comparisons between predictions and available (sparsely distributed) observations, the modeling system performed reasonably well for the Phoenix basin, thus proving it to be a useful tool for both regulatory as well as research applications. Detailed inspection, however, revealed a serious problem with respect to the details of the ozone distribution in that for some days the transition from downslope flow to upslope flow in the Phoenix basin was delayed in the model, causing the ozone distribution to show an unrealistic high-ozone bias toward the west valley. Implementation of a modified subgrid parameterization improved the time of transition, and hence the prediction of ozone and its precursor distributions. This study points to possible inadequacies of commonly used subgrid parameterizations in dealing with rapidly changing flow conditions such as morning (and evening) transitions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Fluid Dynamics Program, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-9809, USA

    Sang-Mi Lee

  2. Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Fluid Dynamics Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-9809, USA

    H. J. S. Fernando & S. Grossman-Clarke

  3. Planning and Technical Support Division, California Air Resources Board, 9500 Telstar Ave., El Monte, CA, 91731, USA

    Sang-Mi Lee

Authors
  1. Sang-Mi Lee
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  2. H. J. S. Fernando
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  3. S. Grossman-Clarke
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Correspondence to Sang-Mi Lee.

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Lee, SM., Fernando, H.J.S. & Grossman-Clarke, S. MM5-SMOKE-CMAQ as a modeling tool for 8-h ozone regulatory enforcement: application to the state of Arizona. Environ Model Assess 12, 63–74 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-006-9053-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-006-9053-7

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