Modelling wintertime smog episodes during the IES-JRC campaign in Krakow, January-February 2005

Aim of project
The project was a part of an international research project, "From Toxic Emissions to Health Effects", led by the Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Joint Research Centre. This project was a pilot study, designed to test the integrated approach to air quality problems in cities, prior to subsequent studies planned in support of the EU air quality policy for European agglomerations. The WTU's task was to deliver modeling results, meteorological and air quality, to other participants, and to participate in a model testing / intercomparison exercise.

Expected results
A global, multiscale, meteorological and air quality model with on-line coupling was used, allowing to provide boundary conditions and meteorological fields for other participants. Using variable grid step, it was possible to achieve resolution as high as 2,5 km inside the model core, covering the whole Lesser Poland region. This ultra-high resolution turned out to be crucial in simulating local meteorology features, where cold pool of air, stagnating in the Wisla valley, associated with prolonged calm period and strong ground inversion buildup has led to accumulation of pollutants. These critical conditions were not reflected in lower resolution configurations. The obtained results reveal the key role of proper modeling of local meteorological conditions in air quality studies.

Partners
Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Joint Research Centre; Chief Inspectorate of Environment Protection; Voivodship's Inspectorate of Environment Protection, Krakow; Governor of the Lesser Poland Voivodship; Institute of Meteorology and Water Management

Project coordinator
Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability