Title: Modelling changes of aerosol compositions over Belgium and Europe

Authors: Felix Deutsch, Liliane Janssen, Jean Vankerkom, Filip Lefebre, Clemens Mensink, Frans Fierens, Gerwin Dumont, Edward Roekens

Addresses: VITO – Centre for Integrated Environmental Studies, Boeretang 200, Mol BE-2400, Belgium. ' VITO – Centre for Integrated Environmental Studies, Boeretang 200, Mol BE-2400, Belgium. ' VITO – Centre for Integrated Environmental Studies, Boeretang 200, Mol BE-2400, Belgium. ' VITO – Centre for Integrated Environmental Studies, Boeretang 200, Mol BE-2400, Belgium. ' VITO – Centre for Integrated Environmental Studies, Boeretang 200, Mol BE-2400, Belgium. ' Interregional Cell for the Environment (IRCEL-CELINE), Kunstlaan 10-11, Brussels BE-1210, Belgium. ' Interregional Cell for the Environment (IRCEL-CELINE), Kunstlaan 10-11, Brussels BE-1210, Belgium. ' Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), Kronenburgstraat 45, Antwerp BE-2000, Belgium

Abstract: Seasonal changes in aerosol compositions over Belgium and Europe are simulated with an extended version of the EUROS model. EUROS is capable of modelling mass and chemical composition of aerosols in two size fractions (PM_2.5 and PM_10-2.5). The chemical composition is expressed in terms of seven components: ammonium, nitrate, sulphate, primary inorganic compounds, elementary carbon, primary organic compounds and Secondary Organic Compounds (SOA). A comparison of modelled and measured aerosol concentrations showed that modelled concentrations are generally consistent with observed concentrations. The chemical composition of the aerosol showed a strong dependence on the season. High aerosol concentrations during the summer were mainly due to high concentrations of the secondary components nitrate, ammonium, sulphate and SOA in the size fraction PM_2.5. In contrast, during autumn and winter, increased PM-concentrations were mainly due to higher concentrations of primary components, especially in the size fraction PM_10-2.5.

Keywords: aerosol modelling; PM₁₀; PM_2.5; chemical composition; environmental modelling; Belgium; Europe; aerosol concentrations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.017101

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.32 No.2, pp.162 - 173

Published online: 13 Feb 2008 *

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