Analysis of a summer smog episode in the Berlin-Brandenburg region with a nested atmosphere – chemistry model

An analysis of a pollution episode in an urban atmosphere, using a complex model system is presented. The nested atmosphere-chemistry model system simulates the atmospheric conditions during a one week measurement campaign, called FLUMOB, in July 1994 in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany. The analysis shows that naturally emitted hydrocarbons played the dominant role in the ozone formation in the investigated area. The composition of non-methane volatile organic compounds was made up to 70–80% by biogenically emitted hydrocarbons. During the analysed case, ozone formation was sensitive to hydrocarbon concentrations so that the ozone production was limited by the availability of hydrocarbons and thus especially by the amount which was biogenically emitted. Furthermore, it is shown that the FLUMOB episode was influenced by elevated concentrations of ozone in the free troposphere. In contrast to previous analyses, the importance of ozone produced outside of Europe is emphasized. In spite of the stagnant high pressure situation which occurred during the FLUMOB episode Germany was significantly influenced by long-range transport of ozone. This transport also influenced near surface ozone concentrations.