Extension of the Air-Quality model for Austria with satellite based Particulate Matter estimates
Abstract
Air quality is a key element for the well-being and quality of life of European citizens. Air pollution measurements and modeling tools are essential for assessment of air quality according to EU legislation. The Air Quality model for Austria (AQA) is operated at ZAMG in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna (BOKU) by order of the regional governments since 2005. AQA conducts daily forecasts of gaseous and particulate (PM10) air pollutants over Austria. The goal of this project is to improve the PM10-forecasts for Austria with the integration of satellite based measurements and to provide a comprehensive product-platform. Satellite measurements of the Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) and ground-based PM10-measurements are combined to highly-resolved initial fields using assimilation techniques. It is expected that the assimilation of satellite measurements will significantly improve the quality of AQA. Currently no observations are considered in the modeling system. The interdisciplinary cooperation of specialists from different fields promises important scientific innovations and enables for the first time the use of satellite technology in Air-Quality applications in Austria. The responsibilities of ZAMG as the national weather service of Austria include the support of the federal states and the public in questions connected to the protection of the environment in the frame of advisory and counselling services as well as expert opinions. The advanced model system which is developed in the frame of this project is foreseen to significantly improve the Air Quality forecasts for Austria.
Publikationen
Project staff
Helga Kromp-Kolb
Em.O.Univ.Prof. Dr.h.c. Helga Kromp-Kolb
helga.kromp-kolb@boku.ac.at
BOKU Project Leader
01.04.2011 - 30.06.2013
BOKU partners
External partners
SISTEMA GmbH
none
partner
EOX IT Services GmbH
none
partner
Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik
Dr. Markus Hirtl
coordinator