Great Lakes Air Deposition Program Sponsored Projects
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Project Title: Modeling Fine PM, PAHs and Mercury Over the Great Lakes Airshed Using CMAQ

Synopsis: Under this project, researchers will model the atmospheric transport and transformation of several contaminants in the air of the Great Lakes region. In addition to mercury, researchers will focus on transport and deposition of particulate matter and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Working closely with researchers and regulators at the state level, the university-based project will develop and apply a modeling framework for use in predicting mercury concentrations and deposition rates. These results will be compared to observed levels for purposes of assessing and validating the model.

Chemicals Studied: The study will focus on mercury, PAHs and particulate matter. Mercury is substance of high concern within the Great Lakes region due to its high toxicity and tendency to accumulate at high levels within fish. PAHs are a class of many compounds, emitted primarily from combustion sources, many of which are persistent enough to deposit and bioaccumulate to high levels. In this study, several PAH compounds will be modeled as surrogates for the class as a whole. Particulate matter includes all solids suspended in the atmosphere. As many persistent toxic chemicals are present in particulate matter, conclusions made regarding this contaminant will have implications for many chemicals of concern.

Geographic Areas: The geography covered in the model will focus on the northeastern U.S. and Great Lakes region, with a particular focus on the portion of New York State in proximity to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Project Duration: The project will begin in the Spring of 2006 and will extend through the Fall of 2007.

Methods Used: Atmospheric modeling of pollutant emission, transports and deposition will be done using the U.S. EPA’s Models-3/CMAQ modeling system. Recent updates for mercury, PAHs and hazardous air pollutants will be included, as will recent updates to photochemical reaction rates. The model will use a mixture of emissions and meteorology data from 2001-2003. Emissions will be processed with the SMOKE system and meteorology with MM5. Model results will be validated against observed concentrations from several monitoring stations in the region.

Potential Results and Implications: The results of this modeling study will provide valuable information regarding the transport and deposition of mercury, PAHs and other pollutants within the region. In combination with other GLAD modeling activities, this project will help determine the best approach for future efforts to predict pollutant transport and deposition with atmospheric models.

Project Contact:
Sherri Mason, Ph.D.
State University of New York at Fredonia
Phone: (716)673-3347
Email: mason@fredonia.edu