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Development, Evaluation, and Application of a Primary Aerosol Model
I T Wang1, T Chico2, Y H Huang2
1a Environmental Modeling & Analysis , Thousand Oaks , California , USA.
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)
|October 28, 2017
Summary
The Segmented-Plume Primary Aerosol Model (SPPAM) accurately simulates air pollution dispersion, especially for roadway sources. It shows high organic fractions in PM2.5, influenced by traffic proximity and meteorology.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Environmental Modeling
- Air Quality Assessment
Background:
- The Industrial Source Complex Short-Term (ISCST) model is widely used but has limitations in simulating plume dispersion under light winds and handling numerous line sources.
- The Segmented-Plume Primary Aerosol Model (SPPAM) was developed to address these limitations and improve algorithms for plume transport, dispersion, and particle dry deposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generalize the ISCST model for light wind conditions and numerous roadway sources.
- To develop improved algorithms for plume transport velocity, line/area source dispersion, and particle dry deposition.
- To evaluate the performance of the SPPAM using experimental data and apply it to a real-world case study.
Main Methods:
- The SPPAM was developed with enhanced algorithms for plume transport, dispersion from line/area sources, and dry deposition.
- Model performance was evaluated using the 1983 PNL dual tracer experimental data.
- The SPPAM was applied to analyze primary PM2.5 impacts in the Rubidoux area, considering various emission sources like road dust and vehicular exhaust.
Main Results:
- SPPAM predictions showed good agreement with experimental observations for plume advection-dispersion and particulate matter (PM) depletion by dry deposition.
- In Rubidoux, predicted primary PM2.5 to PM10 concentration ratios ranged from 0.39-0.46.
- Estimated organic fractions of primary PM2.5 impacts were 34-41%, primarily attributed to nearby heavily traveled roadways.
Conclusions:
- The SPPAM is a capable tool for simulating air pollution dispersion, particularly from roadway sources, and accurately predicts PM depletion by dry deposition.
- The model highlights the significant contribution of traffic-related emissions to PM2.5 concentrations, especially the high organic fraction.
- Receptor location relative to roadways, traffic volume/composition, and meteorological conditions are key factors influencing air quality predictions.
