POEM-PM: An emission model for secondary pollution control scenarios

The paper describes the POEM-PM (POllutant Emission Model for gas and Particulate Matter) emission model design. The model, providing actual and alternative emission scenarios, represents a decision support tool to evaluate emission control strategy effectiveness. It estimates emissions at local and mesoscale level and implements a combined top-down and bottom-up approach. The POEM-PM emission fields answer the GAMES (Gas Aerosol Modelling Evaluation System) multiphase modelling system requirements: grid distribution, hourly time modulation, NMVOC split and lumping, PM10 granulometric and chemical description. The emission model has been validated performing episodic and seasonal simulations over Northern Italy by GAMES. POEM-PM is at present the emission model for air quality chemical and transport applications recommended by the Italian National Environmental Agency.