Modelling Arctic Air Quality: Transport and Deposition.

Abstract:

The Arctic LAM version of the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s inline air-quality prediction model GEM-MACH has been recently upgraded to better simulate the whole Arctic Circle, expanding from a Canadian Arctic focus. The Arctic LAM uses 15-km resolution, a 12-bin aerosol size representation (between 0.01 and 40.96 um in diameter) and MOZART4-GEOS5 chemistry boundary conditions, together with global GEM meteorological piloting. This version was used in the AMAP inter-comparison for the year 2015 and has been run with various scenario conditions to examine the models capability of simulating the state of air quality within the Arctic Circle and Northern Canada. This article will examine in particular the state of the models capability in simulating Sulphates, Nitrates and black carbon levels and their deposition. It will more specifically look at the modeled deposition patterns and evolution modeled and try to assess transport corridors and regimes for these aerosols throughout the year.