High-resolution modeling of greenhouse gases and air pollution: linking LOTOS-EUROS and DALES

Urban air pollution poses a significant risk to human health, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, whereas greenhouse gases drive climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere and altering weather patterns. To address these challenges and improve urban environments, we developed a high-resolution modeling framework that enhances our understanding of greenhouse gases and air pollutant distribution in Rotterdam. We conducted high-resolution (100 x 100 m) simulations of greenhouse gases and air pollutant concentrations using the Dutch Large Eddy Simulation (DALES) model. DALES explicitly resolves boundary-layer turbulence, improving the accuracy of atmospheric transport and dispersion modeling in urban environments. A key innovation of our approach is the application of DALES with chemical open boundary conditions derived from LOTOS-EUROS chemistry-transport model outputs, enabling a more realistic representation of background and external pollution contributions to local air quality. Emission inputs were refined using data from the Dutch national and the TNO emission inventories, incorporating statistical and proxy data specific to Rotterdam. This ensures a more accurate spatial representation of emissions at high resolution. Additionally, gas-phase chemistry was involved to account for chemical production and loss within the urban atmosphere. The results of this study will provide valuable input for machine learning-based forecasting tools, enabling real-time estimation of pollution exposure at the individual level. It will support policymakers in designing targeted interventions to mitigate health risks associated with air pollution and reach climate targets.