RWDI's Regional Atmospheric Modelling group uses 3-dimensional air quality models that are capable of replicating the complex transport, dispersion, deposition, and photochemical reactions that take place among pollutants that reside in gaseous, liquid or particulate phases in the atmosphere. Outputs from these models provide us with an indication of past, present, and future air quality over a range of time periods and large geographic areas.
RWDI has used a variety of different regional-scale chemistry transport models for different clients and applications. These have included CALGRID (for modelling ozone formation over the Canadian Pacific Northwest), SAQM (in southern China and Hong Kong) and CMAQ (in Eastern Canada and the U.S., and the Pacific Northwest).
Sensitivity tests performed with photochemical model inputs by RWDI staff have indicated the importance of sufficient spin-up time, vertical and horizontal grid resolutions, meteorological inputs, and the assignment of realistic initial and boundary conditions.
RELEVANT PROJECTS
Regional Air Quality Modelling for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Southern Ontario, Canada
Under contract for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), RWDI performed emission and photochemical modelling using SMOKE and CMAQ for two summer smog episodes over Southern Ontario and Quebec and the northeastern U.S. at 36-km horizontal resolution: July 11 to 19, 1999; and, July 28 to August 11, 2001. Both Base Case and Scenario runs were performed. Animated videos were created for modelled O3 and PM2.5 concentrations. Scenario and Base Case were as concurrent videos running side-by side to show the relative impacts attributed to different emission sources within the region.
Ethanol Expert Panel, Canada
In May 2003, Health Canada held an expert panel on ethanol-blended gasoline and how its widespread use might affect human health risk from exposure to vehicle exhaust pollutants in Canada. RWDI participated on the panel, providing input on atmospheric photochemistry and air quality modelling.
CMAQ Electric Vehicle Study, Lower Fraser Valley, southern British Columbia, Canada
RWDI West Inc. (RWDI) was retained by Health Canada to perform air quality modelling for the Lower Fraser Valley region of southern British Columbia, Canada. The pollutants of interest for this study included both primary and secondary pollutants that contribute to photochemical smog (CO, HCHO, CCHO, O3, NOX, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and key PM2.5 species, including: sulphate ((NH4)2SO4), nitrate (NH4NO3), and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Air quality impacts associated with a 75% level of penetration of electric vehicles into the passenger fleet and four different sources of power for the electric vehicles were modelled.
Pacific Northwest Combined Emission Inventory and International Air Quality Modelling Project (IAQMP), Western Canada and the U.S.
RWDI completed a comprehensive modelling exercise on behalf of Environment Canada involving the preparation of MC2 meteorological data for input into SMOKE and CMAQ. This project included the compilation and processing of emission inventory data from various data sources through SMOKE and performing regional air quality modelling for a summer and winter episode and a number of transboundary and future year projection scenarios. Model evaluation was also performed for the summer episode using monitoring data from the Pacific 2001 field campaign. The MC2/SMOKE/CMAQ modelling system demonstrated excellent agreement with observed ambient air quality. A reliable photochemical modelling tool is now available for application to air quality management and planning in the Pacific Northwest.
CMAQ Base Case Modelling and Evaluation for July 11 to 19, 1999 Smog Episode for Environment Canada, Southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Environment Canada retained RWDI to use the Models-3/CMAQ chemistry and transport model to investigate the July 11 to 19, 1999 summer smog episode that occurred over southeastern Canada (southern Ontario and Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I.) and the northeastern United States.
Regional Air Quality Modelling for the Pearl River Delta, Pearl River Delta Region, Hong Kong and China
This two?year project, funded by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department and the Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau, involved emission inventory development, meteorological modelling and gridded, 3?dimensional air quality modelling for the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone (PRDEZ) in Guangdong Province. A modelling system known as PATH was used, which consists of customized versions of MM5, EMS?95 and SAQM. A new emission inventory was produced and processed through EMS?95. Eleven meteorological episodes were modelled with MM5 at 1.5 km resolution. SAQM, the chemistry/transport model, was used to predict ground?level concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide and respirable particulate matter.
Effect of a Gas Turbine Power Plant on Regional Air Quality in Southern Ontario, Canada
This project was undertaken on behalf of Sithe Energies Canada Ltd. to study the effect that two proposed gas turbine power plants (800 MW each) would have on levels of fine particulate matter and ground?level ozone during a representative smog event in the Greater Toronto Area. The study took into account the possibility that the proposed power plants would displace power generation away from existing coal?fired power plants located upwind of the GTA. Various scenarios were examined using the MM5, SMOKE, and CMAQ suite of models.
Fate of SO2 from Aluminum Smelters, Jonquiere, Quebec, Canada
RWDI was retained by Alcan to perform an extensive literature review as well as a review of site-specific monitoring, meteorological and stack testing data to identify the chemical and physical pathways for conversion of gaseous SO2 emissions to sulphate aerosol. The various chemical processes involved (heterogeneous, aqueous phase, and gas phase) were identified and explained. Unique factors associated with aluminum smelters (e.g., low NOX emissions, high humidity and the unique chemical make-up of the exhaust gases) were identified and their potential impact on sulphate production was explained.
Effect of Electric Vehicles on Air Quality in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
This two?year project involving extensive modification and processing of the 1995 emission inventory for the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and northern Washington State, and photo?oxidant modelling of a high ozone event was funded by Health Canada. The purpose of the study was to examine how ground level ozone and other pollutants would be affected if a portion of the light duty gasoline vehicles in the region were replaced by electric vehicles. Modelling was performed using MC2, EPS2, and CALGRID.
Models-3 Research Project, Southern Ontario, Canada
This three?year research project to install and test a new U.S. EPA modelling framework, MODELS?3, for applications in Canada was funded by Crestech, Environment Canada, Gas Research Institute of Canada, Dofasco Inc. and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and was performed in cooperation with York University and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. RWDI worked with stand?alone versions of MODELS?3, including MM5, MEPPS, SMOKE, and CMAQ. These models were used to study three historical smog episodes (July 1995, July 1999 and February 1998) responsible for elevated levels of fine particulate matter and/or ground?level ozone in Southern Ontario. The modelling was performed over nested model domains over an area covering most of eastern North America.
CMAQ Scenarios Report - Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Environment Canada, Southern Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Environment Canada retained RWDI West Inc. to prepare a detailed report describing the methodology and results of regional air quality modelling performed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for a summer smog event that occurred in Eastern Canada during the period from July 11 to 19, 1999.
Related Publications
Boulton, J.W., M.F. Lepage, X. Qiu, and M. Gauthier (2002), Recent Applications of MM5, SMOKE, and CMAQ in Canada, 2002 Models-3 Users' Workshop, Raleigh, North Carolina, October, 2002.
Lepage, M, X. Qiu and J. W. Boulton, (2002), Regional Air Quality Model Sensitivity to Power Plant Emissions in Southern Ontario, A&WMA 95th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Boston, MA, 2002.
Boulton, J.W., M. Lepage, M. Vanderheyden, A. Davies, and D. Yeung, (2001), Regional Airshed Studies in the Pearl River Delta, 2001 International Conference and Exhibition on Sustainable Development and Green Enterprises, Macao, November, 2001.
Lepage, M. F., and M. Van Altena (2001), The Effect of Electric Vehicles on Air Quality in Canada: A Regional Air Quality Study, A&WMA 94th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Orlando, Florida, June, 2001.
Boulton, J.W., M. Lepage, and W. Jiang, (2000), Application of the Models-3 Framework to a Canadian Urban Airshed, A&WMA 93rd Annual Conference and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 2000.
Boulton, J.W., and M. Lepage, (2000), Application of the Models-3 Framework to a Canadian Urban Airshed, US EPA's First Annual Models-3 Workshop, Arlington, Virginia, June, 2000.
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