The Canadian atmospheric transport model for simulating greenhouse gas evolution on regional scales: GEM–MACH–GHG v.137-reg
<p>In this study, we present the development of a regional atmospheric transport model for greenhouse gas (GHG) simulation based on an operational weather forecast model and a chemical transport model at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), with the goal of improving our understanding...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2020-01-01
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Series: | Geoscientific Model Development |
Online Access: | https://www.geosci-model-dev.net/13/269/2020/gmd-13-269-2020.pdf |
Summary: | <p>In this study, we present the development of a regional
atmospheric transport model for greenhouse gas (GHG) simulation based on an
operational weather forecast model and a chemical transport model at
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), with the goal of improving our
understanding of the high-spatiotemporal-resolution interaction between the
atmosphere and surface GHG fluxes over Canada and the United States. The
regional model uses <span class="inline-formula">10 km×10 km</span> horizontal grid spacing and 80 vertical
levels spanning the ground to 0.1 hPa. The lateral boundary conditions of
meteorology and tracers are provided by the global transport model used for
GHG simulation at ECCC. The performance of the regional model and added
benefit of the regional model over our lower-resolution global models is
investigated in terms of modelled <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> concentration and meteorological
forecast quality for multiple seasons in 2015. We find that our regional
model has the capability to simulate the high spatial (horizontal and vertical)
and temporal scales of atmospheric <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> concentrations based on
comparisons to surface and aircraft observations. In addition, the bias
and standard deviation of forecast error in boreal summer are reduced by
the regional model. Better representation of model topography in the
regional model results in improved simulation of the <span class="inline-formula">CO<sub>2</sub></span> diurnal cycle
compared to the global model at Walnut Grove, California. The new regional
model will form the basis of a flux inversion system that estimates regional-scale fluxes of GHGs over Canada.</p> |
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ISSN: | 1991-959X 1991-9603 |