Numerical Simulations of the Meteorological and Dispersion Conditions during an Air Pollution Episode over Athens, Greece

Abstract

In this study a summer air pollution episode from 6 to 8 August 1994 over Athens, Greece, is investigated through advanced atmospheric modeling. This episode was reported from the air quality monitoring network, as well as from research aircraft measurements performed during this period for the Transport and Transformation of Air Pollutants from Europe to the East Mediterranean region project. The meteorological conditions prevailing during the period 6?8 July 1994 are analyzed based on simulations performed with the Colorado State University?Regional Atmospheric Modeling System and on the available surface and upper-air observations. Indeed, the synoptic settings induced favorable conditions for the development of local-scale circulations, which defined the poor dispersion conditions over the area. The dispersion of the urban plume of Athens is studied with the use of the Hybrid Particle and Concentration Transport package model. The urban plume of Athens is tracked down the Saronic Gulf and the eastern coast of Peloponnisos, more than 200 km southward from the Athens Basin in good agreement with the research aircraft observations.