Evaluation of PM surface concentrations simulated by Version 1 of NASA's MERRA Aerosol Reanalysis over Europe

• Published in: Atmospheric pollution research 2017-03, Vol.8 (2), p.374-382
• Main Authors: Provençal, Simon, Buchard, Virginie, da Silva, Arlindo M., Leduc, Richard, Barrette, Nathalie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air quality; Europe; Evaluation; MERRAero; Particulate matter (PM)
• ISSN: 1309-1042; 1309-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2016.10.009

This article evaluates the concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and some of its chemical speciation such as sulfate, organic carbon, black carbon and sea salt particles simulated at the surface by Version 1 of the Aerosol Reanalysis of NASA's Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application (MERRAero) over Europe. Measurement data from the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme database were used. The concentrations of coarse PM (PM10), fine PM (PM2.5), sulfate and black carbon particles are overall well simulated, despite a slight and consistent overestimation of PM10 concentration, and a slight and consistent underestimation of PM2.5 and sulfate concentrations throughout most of the year. The concentration of organic carbon was largely underestimated, especially in winter, caused by two specific monitoring stations in Italy, resulting in an overall poor performance for this particular species. After removing these two stations from the sample, the evaluation of OC substantially improved but an underestimation in winter remained. Carbon emissions originating from anthropogenic sources, such as residential wood burning in winter, unresolved by MERRAero provide a plausible explanation for this discrepancy. The evaluation of PM2.5, sulfate and organic carbon concentrations improved during the summer. The concentration of fine sea salt particles was consistently and largely overestimated, but contributes relatively little to total PM2.5 concentration. •The evaluation of PM10, PM2.5, sulfate and black carbon concentrations was generally favorable.•The evaluation of organic carbon concentrations was less favorable, particularly in winter.•The wintertime bias is explained by anthropogenic sources of particulate matter unresolved by the simulation.•The evaluation of sea salt concentrations was unfavorable throughout the year.