AQA-PM - Extension of the Air-Quality Model for Austria With Satellite Based Particulate Matter Estimates

Air quality is a key element for the well-being and quality of life of European citizens. It is regulated by EU legislation, which requires monitoring and assessment of air pollution, informing the public on air quality, predicting potential exceedance of specified quality levels, implementation of short-term action plans, and air quality management to attain specific limit and target values.

The Air-Quality model for Austria (AQA) has been operated by ZAMG (Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics) in cooperation with BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences) by order of the regional governments since 2005. AQA issues daily forecasts of gaseous and particulate (PM10) air pollutants over Austria.

Significant progress has been made towards the increased use of satellite products related to air quality over the past few years. This progress has become possible due to advances in sensor technology and new algorithmic approaches. The goal of this project was to improve the PM10 forecasts for Austria by integrating satellite based measurements and to provide a comprehensive product platform.

The initial state of the atmosphere is not only essential for meteorological forecasts but also for models that predict the dispersion and chemical reactions of pollutants. For air quality models the initial state is determined by the horizontal and vertical distribution of different pollutants in the atmosphere.

Satellite measurements of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) can be used in combination with ground based measurements of PM10 to provide highly-resolved initial fields. The combination of previous model forecasts, ground based measurements and satellite observations provides the best possible estimate of the initial distribution of pollutants and is required for a good model forecast.

The advanced model system developed in the project is expected to significantly improve the air quality forecasts for Austria, which are currently based on ground observations only. Potential applications of the advanced modelling system include daily air quality forecasts and environmental assessment studies for historical episodes.

Coordinator

Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) - Marcus Hirtl

Partners

• SISTEMA GmbH - Simone Mantovani
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Meteorology - Bernd C. Krüger
• EOX IT Services GmbH - Gerhard Triebnig

Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG)
Marcus Hirtl
Hohe Warte 38
A-1190 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (1) 36026 - 2406
E-mail: marcus.hirtl@zamg.ac.at
Web: www.zamg.ac.at