A modeling study of air pollution modulation through land-use change in the Valley of Mexico

Using a prognostic air quality model it is shown that by the partial recovery of Lake Texcoco near the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City, a local reduction of about 11% to 15% can be achieved in concentration levels of ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and chemical compounds with the potential of forming aerosols. This phenomenon takes place because of the land–lake breeze effect and local temperature modulation induced by the location and size of the recovered lake areas.