How it works

For example: While we cannot say what the impacts from a prescribed fire this September will be, we can say what the impacts would have been if the fire had happened last September or the one before, etc...

Therefore, we model what the emissions source would have done every day for the past 30 years. We can then combine these results into a probablistic impact map for future impacts.

AQUIPT has 5 basic components that build on each other:

• Past weather information
• Emissions modeling
• Dispersion modeling
• Statistics and graphics
• Web interface

The historical weather information is obtained by downscaling the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis from 6 hourly to 1 hourly and from a 2.5 degree grid to a 36km national grid and a 12km local grid using the MM5 mesoscale meteorological model.

The emissions modeling structure varies based on the type of emissions source the user specifies. For most sources the user specified rate is adjusted by a diurnal profile. For fire emissions, the emission modelis taken from the BlueSky Smoke Modeling Framework. The user can input as much fuel input as is known. Data gaps are filled in using the FCCS landscape fuels map. The consumption is then modeled using the CONSUME model. The emissions profile is then modeled using the Emissions Production Model (EPM)/Fire Emissions Production System (FEPS). The emissions modeling system is modular to allow for the addition of other emissions source models (such as dairy farm emissions).

Dispersion modeling is done using the CALPUFF model. CALPUFF has limited chemistry and is mostly useful for PM2.5, PM10, sufates, nitrates, and ammonia species. Dispersion model runs are done starting every day but extending for 72 hours, thus forming overlapping runs in time. This is done to allow for multi-day transport of emissions.

The results from the dispersion modeling are then aggregated into summary statistics. Initial statistics are average, maximum, % time above threshold, % time affected. Additional statistics and changes to the statistics and graphics will be done in consulation with beta users.

Users can submit a request for an emissions source to be modeled using a web form. The user is then notified after the model has been completed, usually within 24 hours. The web interface for this is secure and only open to authorized users. All results are tagged and recorded and only available to authorized users.