Simulation of Tropospheric Chemistry over the United States, with Particular Focus on the Free Troposphere and the Role of Lightning Reactive Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

这项研究包括在EPA的CMAQ（社区多尺度空气质量）模型中添加特定的自由对流层过程，并检查其对自由对流层化学的影响，以及随后对边界层臭氧的影响。 这些过程包括平流层-对流层交换、无边界层对流层交换和闪电产生的活性氮（NOx）。 这些增加的模型将大量利用现有的现场和远程观测数据以及全球模型结果。 CMAQ模式在社区中被广泛使用，但在自由对流层的模拟中表现不佳。 该项目的目标是改善这一状况，其更广泛的影响包括为一名研究生和两名博士后研究员提供支助，并可能改进对流层化学研究和空气质量管理的常用模型。 这些模型的改进将有助于更好地评估美国空气质量政策的有效性，并对替代空气污染控制方案进行更可靠的测试。 除了本项目资助的3名资深科学家、2名来自亨茨维尔亚拉巴马大学的博士后研究员和研究生、1名来自内华达州拉斯维加斯大学的资深科学家和研究生外，还将与NASA的2名资深科学家、NCAR的1名资深科学家和EPA的多名资深科学家进行协调。

This study involves addition of specific free tropospheric processes to the EPA's CMAQ (Community Multi-scale Air Quality) model, and examination of their impact on free tropospheric chemistry, and subsequent influence on boundary layer ozone. These processes include stratosphere-troposphere exchange, planetary boundary layer - free troposphere exchange, and production of reactive nitrogen (NOx) from lightning. These model additions will make significant use of available in situ and remote observational data, and global model results. The CMAQ model is widely used in the community, but is known to perform poorly in simulations of the free troposphere. The goal of this project is to improve that situation.The broader impacts of this project include the support of a graduate student and two post-doctoral fellows, and likely improvement of well-used models for tropospheric chemistry research and air quality management. These model improvements will allow better assessment of the effectiveness of US air quality policies, and more reliable testing of alternative air pollution control scenarios.This project involves significant synergism with activities sponsored by other agencies. In addition to the 3 senior scientists, 2 post-doctoral fellows and graduate student from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the senior scientist and graduate student from the University of Nevada Las Vegas sponsored in this project, there will be coordination with 2 senior scientists from NASA, a senior scientist from NCAR, and several senior scientists from EPA.