Ozone episodes in Athens, Greece. A modelling approach using data from the MEDCAPHOT-TRACE
Ziomas I.C., P. Tzoumaka, D. Balis, D. Melas and C.S. Zerefos and O. Klemm
[abstract] Making use of the extended database of air pollution and meteorological measurements, which was created within the framework of the MEDCAPHOT-TRACE project, the performance of the Urban Airshed Model was evaluated for the Grater Athens Area. This model was also used to examine the effect on ozone of 36 combinations of possible VOC and NOx reductions of basin-wide emission. It was found that the Urban Airshed Model is successfully treating the varying topography, the meteorology and the emission characteristics in the Greater Athens Area. The EPA proposed statistical measures are met by the model, although there is a degree of uncertainty concerning the emission inventory. It is shown that ozone abatement strategy should focus mostly on VOC emissions controls rather than controlling NOx. The VOC reduction should be the order of 30%-40% in order to effectively reduce the ozone levels at the northern part of the basin, down to the European Unions limit of 90 ppb. This goal is not expected to be achieved before the year 2005.
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