Impacts of global climate change and emissions on regional ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations over the United States

Abstract

Simulated future summers (i.e., 2049–2051) and annual (i.e., 2050) average regional O 3 and PM 2.5 concentrations over the United States are compared with historic (i.e., 2000–2002 summers and all of 2001) levels to investigate the potential impacts of global climate change and emissions on regional air quality. Meteorological inputs to the CMAQ chemical transport model are developed by downscaling the GISS Global Climate Model simulations using an MM5‐based regional climate model. Future‐year emissions for North America are developed by growing the U.S. EPA CAIR inventory, Mexican and Canadian emissions and by using the IMAGE model with the IPCC A1B emissions scenario that is also used in projecting future climate. Reductions of more than 50% in NO X and SO 2 emissions are forecast. Impacts of global climate change alone on regional air quality are small compared to impacts from emission control‐related reductions, although increases in pollutant concentrations due to stagnation and other factors are found. The combined effect of climate change and emission reductions lead to a 20% decrease (regionally varying from −11% to −28%) in the mean summer maximum daily 8‐hour ozone levels (M8hO 3) over the United States. Mean annual PM 2.5 concentrations are estimated to be 23% lower (varies from −9% to −32%). Major reductions in sulfate, nitrate and ammonium PM 2.5 components combined with the limited reduction in organic carbon suggests that organic carbon will be the dominant component of PM 2.5 mass in the future. Regionally, the eastern United States benefits more than the rest of the regions from reductions in both M8hO 3 and PM 2.5, because of both spatial variations in the meteorological and emissions changes. Reduction in the higher M8hO 3 concentrations is also estimated for all subregions and fewer days with M8hO 3 above the air quality standards in urban sites with Atlanta in the southeast benefiting most.