Author(s)

P. Mlakar, M. Z. Božnar & B. Grašič

Abstract

In the paper, a national project with the title \“Prognostic and diagnostic integrated regional air pollution modelling system” is described. It shows that such a project can significantly contribute to the proper understanding of the air pollution in smaller regions with a very complex topography. It also describes how foreseen scientific problems were solved and the necessary testing, improvements and validation were made. The development of a Lagrangian particle model-based air pollution modelling system that works in an on-line diagnostic mode and covers air pollution from several industrial and other sources in the region over a highly complex terrain, is described. To achieve online efficiency some new methods of obtaining high resolution short-range meteorological fields derived from mesoscale models were developed and the implementation of advanced Lagrangian models, acceleration techniques and novel approaches for whole system integration are presented. The project’s test bed was established as a novel approach to the overall treatment of the scientific – applicative project goal. Keywords: on-line regional air pollution modelling system, Lagrangian particle dispersion model, Zasavje region, test bed, complex terrain, non-hydrostatic numerical weather forecast model, nesting. 1 Introduction In some areas of Slovenia, local inhabitants or environmental associations are strongly against the operation of some industrial plants due to the air pollution they cause. These problems are regulated by the European directive of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) which requires among others that the industrial source’s influence on the ambient air is modelled once to obtain the

Keywords

on-line regional air pollution modelling system, Lagrangian particle dispersion model, Zasavje region, test bed, complex terrain, non-hydrostatic numerical weather forecast model, nesting