A modelling perspective of the summer 2013 and 2014 ChArMEx/SAFMED chemistry intensive campaigns: Origin of photo-oxidant and aerosol formation over the western mediterranean

Abstract

During summers 2013 and 2014, two three weeks intensive campaign took place over the western Mediterranean basin in order to investigate photo-oxidant and aerosol sources over the region. Within the frame of the MISTRALS/ChArMEx (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment) program and the ANR/SAFMED (Secondary Aerosol Formation in the MEDiterranean) project, this campaign included an extensive experimental set-up based on ground-based, balloon-borne, aircraft and satellite measurements. In this paper, a modeling perspective of the campaign is given, based on simulations with the regional chemistry-transport model, CHIMERE, in a configuration shaped for the Mediterranean region. Major sources of photo-oxidants, and aerosols are addressed: long range transport from continental Europe, pollution build-up from shipping emissions, marine emissions, organic aerosol formation from biogenic and anthropogenic VOC emissions, dust emissions.