Air pollutant trends over denmark over the last 37 years as simulated by the integrated model systemTHOR

Abstract

Air pollutant levels over Denmark are simulated using the high resolution THOR model system for the years 1979–2015. The system employs the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model (DEHM), coupled to the Urban Background Model (UBM) that covers the whole of Denmark on a 1 km spatial resolution. This study evaluates the performance of the model system in simulating hourly, daily, monthly and yearly mean ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations using surface measurements from eight Danish monitoring stations between 1990 and 2015. The spatial and temporal variability of air pollutants and emissions are also investigated to better understand the air pollution trends over Denmark during this 37 year period.