Title: Comparison and evaluation of the 1 km and 5 km resolution FRAME modelled annual concentrations of nitrogen oxides

Authors: Maciej Kryza; Anthony J. Dore; Małgorzata Werner; Marek Błaś

Addresses: Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kosiby 6/8 51-621 Wrocław, Poland ' Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK ' Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kosiby 6/8 51-621 Wrocław, Poland ' Department of Climatology and Atmosphere Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kosiby 6/8 51-621 Wrocław, Poland

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to compare and evaluate the modelled annual nitrogen oxides (NO_x) air concentrations calculated for the same area at two different grid resolutions of 1 km and 5 km. The FRAME model was used for the domains covering Poland. Simulations were performed for the years 2005-2008. The input files for the model were provided separately for both 1 km and 5 km grids, whilst keeping the emission, meteorological and boundary condition data constant. 1 km and 5 km runs result in a similar spatial pattern and country average value of NO_x concentrations. For the 1 km simulations, the maximum values are higher and the emission source areas are distinctly separated from the rural background regions. The evaluation of the 1 km and 5 km results shows that the model - measurement agreement is improved with the high resolution simulations in terms of mean errors.

Keywords: spatial resolution; air quality; atmospheric dispersion modelling; air pollution; nitrogen oxides; NOx; fine resolution atmospheric multi-pollutant exchange; FRAME model; Poland; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2012.051180

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2012 Vol.50 No.1/2/3/4, pp.53 - 63

Published online: 19 Nov 2014 *

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