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Project title

Air quality Modelling and forecasting for Ireland

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Cologne

Lead Applicant

Hermann Jackobs

Project Abstract

The primary goal of the joint project was to develop an Air Quality (AQ) forecastservice for Ireland with special emphasis on the model validation. This was done byusing the EURAD (European Air Quality Dispersion Model) Air Quality PredictionSystem at RIU in a modified version. A major goal of this project is to carry out anintensive verification of the model forecast using observational data from the Irish AQmonitoring network. To improve the model performance data assimilation techniqueswill be applied and a detailed model output statistics (MOS) system developed. Theproject started at 1 December 2004 and it ends at 30 November 2007. Initially anadequate emission module was implemented for the selected domains using dataprovided by Ireland to EMEP. With these emission data bases as input the near-realtimeforecast started on 7 April 2005. Later a recalculation of the forecasts starting at1 January 2005 was performed in order to complete the whole year 2005 cycle. Acomplete analysis of the year 2005 and the year 2006 was carried out and publishedin technical reports provided for EPA Ireland. An intensive verification procedure wascarried out for the year 2006 comparing measured data (Ozone NO2 and PM10)from the Irish AQ observational network with predicted concentrations. A specificmodel output statistics was developed in order to increase the reliability of the modeloutput concentrations. The results of the project AQUIRE are summarized in this finalreport and described in the following chapters.

Grant Approved

�301,200.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Trans-Boundary Air Pollution/Short Life Climate Forcers

Start Date

01/12/2004

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/12/2007