Continuous, Near Real-Time Evaluation of Air Quality Models: An Approach for the Rapid Scientific Evolution of Modeling Systems

摘要

Air quality models are required to address increasinglycomplex issues related to the representation of multiplepollutants species across multiple spatiotemporal scales, aswell as those related to the design and implementation of morestringent National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)designed to protect human health and the environment.Historically, most modeling groups have evaluated retrospective,often annual length model simulations, summarizing theperformance using monthly or seasonal statistical summaries.While essential and informative, such an approach often masksfiner scale temporal (e.g., diurnal to weekly) and spatial (e.g.,meso to synoptic) variability in the earth–atmosphere systemand, hence, air quality. In order to maintain state-of-the-sciencein the model, as well as the models’ ability to address emergingenvironmental needs, it is crucial that innovative evaluationapproaches are developed and utilized that will allow for morerapid testing and hence more efficient evolution of themodeling system’s science.