Impact of Biogenic Emissions on Ozone Episode Evolution During the July 2022 Heatwave: A TFMM Modelling Exercise

Despite mitigation efforts, ozone pollution in Europe remains a significant issue. As part of the EMEP program, the Task Force on Measurement and Modelling (TFMM) conducted a measurement campaign from 12-19 July 2022 to evaluate the impact of various VOC species on ozone concentration levels and variability. This campaign coincided with adverse thermal conditions – a strong heatwave moving from west to east across Europe, enhancing biogenic VOC emissions and ozone production.
To interpret the campaign results, TFMM launched an air quality modelling exercise involving 11 models that reproduced the variability of chemical tracer concentrations in July 2022. Apart from the experiments to reproduce the evolution of concentrations, additional scenarios aimed at assessing the contribution of anthropogenic vs. biogenic VOC emissions were undertaken. The importance of the dry deposition of ozone was also evaluated. We will show preliminary results from the study focusing on model performance during the peak of the episode and the spread between individual models based on measurements taken at EMEP stations and during the campaign. The average contribution of biogenic emissions to ozone and its precursors will also be assessed.