The Livermore Regional Air Quality Model: II. Verification and Sample Application in the San Francisco Bay Area

Abstract

Topographic, meteorological, source emission and atmospheric pollutant concentration data have been assembled for use in verifying the LIRAQ-1 and LIRAQ-2 regional air quality models in the San Francisco Bay Area. These data, collected primarily during the high-pollution period of 26–27 July 1973, indicate that the temporal and spatial phasing for concentrations of carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides can be adequately represented by the models. Sensitivity studies indicate that initial and horizontal boundary conditions as well as grid size and subgrid-scale effects, while very significant in predicting air quality on the local scale, are less important in dealing with regional concentrations of pollutants than are emissions, meteorological conditions and vertical boundary conditions.