Integrated assessment modelling applied to particulate concentrations and urban air quality management
File(s)
Author(s)
Mediavilla-Sahagun, Antonio
Abstract
Planning effective strategies to combat air pollution in a major city such as London in order to achieve the Air Quality Objectives set by the government requires integration of information on atmospheric concentrations and where they exceed prescribed air quality objectives, detailed data on emissions and potential measures to reduce them including costs, and a good understanding of the relative contributions of different emission sources to pollutant concentrations plus the remaining background. The Urban Scale Integrated Assessment Model (USIAM) is designed as a tool to integrate such information, and to explore and assess a variety of potential strategies for improving air quality.
It is based on the same principles as the Abatement Strategies Assessment Model, ASAM (Warren, R. et al. 1999; ApSimon, H. et al. 1996; 1994) that has been used in development of international protocols under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. There the aim was to set emission ceilings for each of 40 European countries to reduce acid deposition cost-effectively, whereas the USIAM model is concerned with attainment of air quality objectives through combined action spanning the 33 local authorities in Greater London.
The USIAM model was developed with respect to the particulate PM10 only, and in particular the primary particulate contribution. The secondary particulate is treated as part of the background superimposed on the primary particulate concentrations; this may need to be treated more specifically in any follow-up project derived from this work, particularly with respect to nitrate formation over the city. Both the European and UK air quality objectives for PM10 are 40 ug•m-3 for the annual mean and a limit of 35 exceedances per year of 50 ug•m-3 over 24-hour periods.
It is based on the same principles as the Abatement Strategies Assessment Model, ASAM (Warren, R. et al. 1999; ApSimon, H. et al. 1996; 1994) that has been used in development of international protocols under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. There the aim was to set emission ceilings for each of 40 European countries to reduce acid deposition cost-effectively, whereas the USIAM model is concerned with attainment of air quality objectives through combined action spanning the 33 local authorities in Greater London.
The USIAM model was developed with respect to the particulate PM10 only, and in particular the primary particulate contribution. The secondary particulate is treated as part of the background superimposed on the primary particulate concentrations; this may need to be treated more specifically in any follow-up project derived from this work, particularly with respect to nitrate formation over the city. Both the European and UK air quality objectives for PM10 are 40 ug•m-3 for the annual mean and a limit of 35 exceedances per year of 50 ug•m-3 over 24-hour periods.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022
Date Awarded
2022-02
Copyright Statement
Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC-ND)
Advisor
ApSimon, Helen
Sponsor
Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo (Firm)
Publisher Department
Centre for Environmental Policy
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)