Simulating large emitters using CMAQ and a local scale finite element model: analysis in the surroundings of Barcelona

Abstract

In this work, we compare two state of the art models to simulate large emitters in the local scale. The area of study is in the surroundings of Barcelona, where an important contributor to the SO2 levels is considered. The first modelling system uses the mesoscale meteorological model WRF-ARW, the Air Emission Model of Meteosim, AEMM, and the air quality model CMAQ. The second model is a one way nesting of the results from the first system in a subgrid Finite Element model; the results from the CMAQ simulation are used as initial and boundary conditions. The simulations have been carried out for one episode with high levels of SO2. The time period of the simulations is of 48h with a 24h spin-up.