Observed and Calculated Variability of the Particulate Matter Concentration in Moscow and in Zelenograd

I. N. Kuznetsova, I. B. Konovalov, A. A. Glazkova, M. I. Nakhaev, R. B. Zaripov, E. A. Lezina, A. M. Zvyagintsev, and M. Beekmann

The results of a comparative analysis of temporal and spatial variations in the particulate matter (PM10) concentration are under consideration; the information is obtained based on the measurement data from the Mosekomonitoring network of stations and results of calculations with the CHIMERE chemistry transport model adapted for the Russian central region. The intercomparison of measurement data obtained in summer 2007 and respective calculations showed that the model provided a satisfactory reproduction of the observed temporal variability of the daily mean PM10 concentration (an averaged correlation coefficient is 0.8), but systematically underestimated the absolute values of the PM10 concentration. It is shown that model data quality can be significantly improved due to a simple a priori correction of the model errors. Irregularities in the spatial distribution of the PM10 concentration and their dependence on meteorological conditions were revealed. The reasons of the formation of episodes of a high PM10 concentration are considered.