Boundary layer photochemistry simulated with a two-stream convection scheme

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) 2007-12, Vol.41 (37), p.8275-8287
• Main Authors: Vautard, Robert, Maidi, Mohamed, Menut, Laurent, Beekmann, Matthias, Colette, Augustin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Boundary layer; Continental interfaces, environment; Exact sciences and technology; Mixing; Modelling; Ocean, Atmosphere; Ozone; Photochemical smog; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Sciences of the Universe; Turbulence
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.06.056

We explore the sensitivity of the simulation of photochemical smog to the turbulent mixing scheme, using two diffusion schemes and an original two-stream model (TSM) scheme, assuming in the column an updraft and a downdraft. In this latter scheme both updraft and downdraft concentrations are prognostic variables, unlike in previously proposed schemes. The comparisons are made using a one-dimensional column model, in a Eulerian or a Lagrangian mode. The diffusion schemes produce tilted concentration profiles for primary species, with higher concentrations near the surface and lower values at the top of the boundary layer, while TSM profiles yield more homogeneous concentrations in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Ozone concentrations are also more homogeneous in the TSM PBL than in the diffusive PBL. Only deposition makes ozone concentrations slightly lower near the surface, while in diffusive case ozone is lower also due to titration by higher nitrogen oxide concentrations. The overall differences between the schemes remain small for ozone. Also, the development time and amplitude of an ozone city plume is not very sensitive to the choice of the mixing scheme. In the urban framework ozone build-up is slightly delayed by higher nitrogen oxide concentrations near the surface in the diffusive cases, but the plume development is similar to that of the TSM once the plume travels away from the emission area. Results also show that the sensitivity of ozone to nitrogen oxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds is itself not very sensitive to the mixing scheme.