MAP-AQ: An International Initiative for Monitoring, Analysis, and Prediction of Global to Regional and Local scale Air Quality

Abstract:

MAP-AQ is an international program that is developing and implementing a global air pollution monitoring, analysis, and prediction systems for air quality with downscaling capability, specifically in regions of the world affected by high levels of atmospheric pollutants, including Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The program coordinates and enhances research to help mitigate air pollution. It contributes to the development and implementation of global and regional air pollution monitoring, analysis, prediction and attribution systems and contributes to the development of the science and software engineering needed to improve air quality forecasts from the global to the regional and local scales. MAP-AQ combines an ensemble of state-of-the-art multi-scale chemical transport models, high-resolution emission inventories, space observations, surface measurements and post-processing techniques to provide near-real-time forecasts and analyses of air pollution and co-designs with users and other stakeholders relevant products and services; it creates collaborative efforts for smart urban planning and for the prevention of health impacts. The program develops educational activities in support of capacity building, encourages exchanges of students and early career scientists and develops networks of scientists and practitioners involved in the development and implementation of air quality forecast and attribution systems. MAP-AQ is co-sponsored by WMO/GAW and by IGAC. A regional Project Office is being established at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.