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Air quality expert group - Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ... - Defra

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<strong>PM2.5</strong> <strong>in</strong> the UK<br />

Annex 2: PM modell<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the UK<br />

146<br />

A2.1: Applications of CMAQ to PM-related projects at AEA<br />

1. CMAQ is one of the tools used to produce the UK daily air <strong>quality</strong> forecast on<br />

behalf of <strong>Defra</strong>. 48-Hour forecasts for PM10 and <strong>PM2.5</strong> are produced us<strong>in</strong>g CMAQ<br />

at 10 km resolution. Figure A2.1.1 gives examples of the forecasts over a period<br />

of elevated <strong>particulate</strong> <strong>matter</strong> (PM) at the end of April 2011. The classification of<br />

PM air <strong>quality</strong> is based on a 24-hour average. The yellow areas of the daily average<br />

plots <strong>in</strong> Figure A2.1.1 identify areas where moderate air <strong>quality</strong> was predicted (see<br />

http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/daqi for the air pollution health band<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

used <strong>in</strong> the daily forecasts; see also Table 5.2 <strong>in</strong> Chapter 5). CMAQ tends to<br />

underestimate PM10, particularly when dust and resuspension are contribut<strong>in</strong>g<br />

factors. The maximum hourly plots demonstrate areas where PM was elevated<br />

but not sufficiently so to be classed as moderate on the 24-hour average. Further<br />

analysis of the PM components could be used to identify the major contributors.<br />

Daily Average PM10 Maximum Hourly PM10

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