Evaluation of SOA formation using a box model version of CMAQ and chamber experimental data

Abstract

A box model version of the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System 4.7 (CMAQ 4.7) is implemented and tested with the results obtained from a secondary organic aerosol formation experiment performed at the EUPHORE smog chamber (Valencia, Spain). In order to simulate the conditions of the chamber, no transport, dispersion, or deposition phenomena are considered in the box model. Four simulations were carried out, combining different gas-phase chemical mechanisms and aerosol modules, and compared to the experimental data obtained from the smog chamber. While the concentrations predicted by the model for the parent compounds and ozone are very close to observed values, aerosol formation is clearly overpredicted, specially when the aerosol module AERO-5 is used. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.