A Tool for Public PM_2.5-Concentration Advisory Based on Mobile Measurements

Huy N. Tran, Ketsiri Leelasakultum, Nicole Molders

Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Geophysical Institute and College of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2012.312183                

Abstract

A tool was developed that interpolates mobile measurements of PM_2.5-concentrations into unmonitored areas of the Fairbanksnonattainment area for public air-quality advisory. The tool uses simulations with theAlaskaadapted version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and the Community Modeling and Analysis Quality (CMAQ) modeling system as a database. The tool uses the GPS-data of the vehicle’s route, and the database to determine linear regression equations for the relationships between the PM_2.5-concentrations at the locations on the route and those outside the route. Once the interpolation equations are determined, the tool uses the mobile measurements as input into these equations that interpolate the measurements into the unmonitored neighborhoods. An episode of winter 2009/10 served as database for the tool’s interpolation algorithm. An independent episode of winter 2010/11 served to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of the tool. The evaluation showed that the tool well reproduced the spatial distribution of the observed as well as simulated concentrations. It is demonstrated that the tool does not require a database that contains data of the episode for which the interpolation is to be made. Potential challenges in applying this tools and its transferability are discussed critically.

Keywords

WRF; CMAQ; PM2.5; Air Quality; Interpolation; Arctic

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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