Megacities: air quality and climate impacts from local to global scales
Megacities: air quality and climate impacts from local to global scales
Editor(s): L. Molina, A. Baklanov, M. Gauss, and U. Pöschl
There is growing evidence that human activities in an increasingly globalized, industrialized and interconnected world are influencing both air quality and climate ranging from urban and regional to continental and global scales. Rapid population growth and increased energy demand are the primary forces driving unprecedented environmental changes. Most growth occurs in urban regions and surrounding suburban areas, leading to the phenomenon of megacities.

This special issue is dedicated to the contributed papers presented at the special sessions on "Megacities: Air Quality and Climate Impacts from Local to Global Scales", which were convened at the EGU General Assembly in 2009 and 2010 and will include contributions from the EGU-2011 session.

In addition, this special issue will consider articles related to the topic, including key findings from the three large projects MILAGRO, MEGAPOLI, and CITYZEN, as well as other atmospheric science studies conducted in large urban centers around the world, highlighting the following areas:
  • emissions;
  • photochemistry;
  • aerosol and trace gas measurements;
  • meteorological measurements;
  • dynamics and radiative effects;
  • regional climate;
  • Air quality modeling;
  • satellite remote sensing of air quality in cities;
  • implications of policy to reduce air pollution (air quality, health, climate change).

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10 Oct 2013
The dispersion characteristics of air pollution from the world's megacities
M. Cassiani, A. Stohl, and S. Eckhardt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 9975–9996, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-9975-2013,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-9975-2013, 2013
15 May 2013
Aerosol mixing state, hygroscopic growth and cloud activation efficiency during MIRAGE 2006
S. Lance, T. Raatikainen, T. B. Onasch, D. R. Worsnop, X.-Y. Yu, M. L. Alexander, M. R. Stolzenburg, P. H. McMurry, J. N. Smith, and A. Nenes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 5049–5062, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5049-2013,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5049-2013, 2013
01 Mar 2013
Modeling the impacts of biomass burning on air quality in and around Mexico City
W. Lei, G. Li, and L. T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 2299–2319, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2299-2013,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2299-2013, 2013
01 Feb 2013
Top-down estimation of carbon monoxide emissions from the Mexico Megacity based on FTIR measurements from ground and space
W. Stremme, M. Grutter, C. Rivera, A. Bezanilla, A. R. Garcia, I. Ortega, M. George, C. Clerbaux, P.-F. Coheur, D. Hurtmans, J. W. Hannigan, and M. T. Coffey
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 1357–1376, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-1357-2013,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-1357-2013, 2013
03 Dec 2012
Uncertainties in SOA simulations due to meteorological uncertainties in Mexico City during MILAGRO-2006 field campaign
N. Bei, G. Li, and L. T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 11295–11308, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11295-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11295-2012, 2012
13 Nov 2012
| Highlight paper
Future air quality in Europe: a multi-model assessment of projected exposure to ozone
A. Colette, C. Granier, Ø. Hodnebrog, H. Jakobs, A. Maurizi, A. Nyiri, S. Rao, M. Amann, B. Bessagnet, A. D'Angiola, M. Gauss, C. Heyes, Z. Klimont, F. Meleux, M. Memmesheimer, A. Mieville, L. Rouïl, F. Russo, S. Schucht, D. Simpson, F. Stordal, F. Tampieri, and M. Vrac
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 10613–10630, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10613-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10613-2012, 2012
07 Nov 2012
Impact of urban parameterization on high resolution air quality forecast with the GEM – AQ model
J. Struzewska and J. W. Kaminski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 10387–10404, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10387-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10387-2012, 2012
05 Nov 2012
Physical and chemical properties of the regional mixed layer of Mexico's Megapolis Part II: evaluation of measured and modeled trace gases and particle size distributions
C. Ochoa, D. Baumgardner, M. Grutter, J. Allan, J. Fast, and B. Rappenglueck
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 10161–10179, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10161-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-10161-2012, 2012
22 Oct 2012
Total OH reactivity measurements in Paris during the 2010 MEGAPOLI winter campaign
C. Dolgorouky, V. Gros, R. Sarda-Esteve, V. Sinha, J. Williams, N. Marchand, S. Sauvage, L. Poulain, J. Sciare, and B. Bonsang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 9593–9612, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-9593-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-9593-2012, 2012
27 Sep 2012
Impact of forest fires, biogenic emissions and high temperatures on the elevated Eastern Mediterranean ozone levels during the hot summer of 2007
Ø. Hodnebrog, S. Solberg, F. Stordal, T. M. Svendby, D. Simpson, M. Gauss, A. Hilboll, G. G. Pfister, S. Turquety, A. Richter, J. P. Burrows, and H. A. C. Denier van der Gon
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 8727–8750, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8727-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8727-2012, 2012
27 Sep 2012
Contribution of garbage burning to chloride and PM2.5 in Mexico City
G. Li, W. Lei, N. Bei, and L. T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 8751–8761, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8751-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-8751-2012, 2012
31 Aug 2012
Chemically-resolved aerosol eddy covariance flux measurements in urban Mexico City during MILAGRO 2006
R. Zalakeviciute, M. L. Alexander, E. Allwine, J. L. Jimenez, B. T. Jobson, L. T. Molina, E. Nemitz, S.N. Pressley, T. M. VanReken, I. M. Ulbrich, E. Velasco, and B. K. Lamb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 7809–7823, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-7809-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-7809-2012, 2012
23 Jul 2012
Impacts of East Mediterranean megacity emissions on air quality
U. Im and M. Kanakidou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 6335–6355, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6335-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6335-2012, 2012
18 Jul 2012
The carbon emissions of Chinese cities
H. Wang, R. Zhang, M. Liu, and J. Bi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 6197–6206, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6197-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6197-2012, 2012
16 May 2012
Megacity ozone air quality under four alternative future scenarios
T. M. Butler, Z. S. Stock, M. R. Russo, H. A. C. Denier van der Gon, and M. G. Lawrence
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 4413–4428, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-4413-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-4413-2012, 2012
24 Apr 2012
Nudging technique for scale bridging in air quality/climate atmospheric composition modelling
A. Maurizi, F. Russo, M. D'Isidoro, and F. Tampieri
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 3677–3685, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-3677-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-3677-2012, 2012
14 Mar 2012
Optical properties, morphology and elemental composition of atmospheric particles at T1 supersite on MILAGRO campaign
G. Carabali, R. Mamani-Paco, T. Castro, O. Peralta, E. Herrera, and B. Trujillo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 2747–2755, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-2747-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-2747-2012, 2012
05 Mar 2012
Relationship between particulate matter and childhood asthma – basis of a future warning system for central Phoenix
R. Dimitrova, N. Lurponglukana, H. J. S. Fernando, G. C. Runger, P. Hyde, B. C. Hedquist, J. Anderson, W. Bannister, and W. Johnson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 2479–2490, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-2479-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-2479-2012, 2012
15 Feb 2012
Identification and quantification of organic aerosol from cooking and other sources in Barcelona using aerosol mass spectrometer data
C. Mohr, P. F. DeCarlo, M. F. Heringa, R. Chirico, J. G. Slowik, R. Richter, C. Reche, A. Alastuey, X. Querol, R. Seco, J. Peñuelas, J. L. Jiménez, M. Crippa, R. Zimmermann, U. Baltensperger, and A. S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 1649–1665, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-1649-2012,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-1649-2012, 2012
22 Dec 2011
Formation of semivolatile inorganic aerosols in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area during the MILAGRO campaign
V. A. Karydis, A. P. Tsimpidi, W. Lei, L. T. Molina, and S. N. Pandis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 13305–13323, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-13305-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-13305-2011, 2011
12 Dec 2011
The 2005 Study of Organic Aerosols at Riverside (SOAR-1): instrumental intercomparisons and fine particle composition
K. S. Docherty, A. C. Aiken, J. A. Huffman, I. M. Ulbrich, P. F. DeCarlo, D. Sueper, D. R. Worsnop, D. C. Snyder, R. E. Peltier, R. J. Weber, B. D. Grover, D. J. Eatough, B. J. Williams, A. H. Goldstein, P. J. Ziemann, and J. L. Jimenez
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 12387–12420, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12387-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12387-2011, 2011
12 Dec 2011
Long-term impacts of aerosols on precipitation and lightning over the Pearl River Delta megacity area in China
Y. Wang, Q. Wan, W. Meng, F. Liao, H. Tan, and R. Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 12421–12436, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12421-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12421-2011, 2011
30 Nov 2011
Detailed comparisons of airborne formaldehyde measurements with box models during the 2006 INTEX-B and MILAGRO campaigns: potential evidence for significant impacts of unmeasured and multi-generation volatile organic carbon compounds
A. Fried, C. Cantrell, J. Olson, J. H. Crawford, P. Weibring, J. Walega, D. Richter, W. Junkermann, R. Volkamer, R. Sinreich, B. G. Heikes, D. O'Sullivan, D. R. Blake, N. Blake, S. Meinardi, E. Apel, A. Weinheimer, D. Knapp, A. Perring, R. C. Cohen, H. Fuelberg, R. E. Shetter, S. R. Hall, K. Ullmann, W. H. Brune, J. Mao, X. Ren, L. G. Huey, H. B. Singh, J. W. Hair, D. Riemer, G. Diskin, and G. Sachse
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 11867–11894, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11867-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11867-2011, 2011
30 Nov 2011
Mass and chemical composition of size-segregated aerosols (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) over Athens, Greece: local versus regional sources
C. Theodosi, G. Grivas, P. Zarmpas, A. Chaloulakou, and N. Mihalopoulos
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 11895–11911, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11895-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11895-2011, 2011
22 Nov 2011
Air quality trends in Europe over the past decade: a first multi-model assessment
A. Colette, C. Granier, Ø. Hodnebrog, H. Jakobs, A. Maurizi, A. Nyiri, B. Bessagnet, A. D'Angiola, M. D'Isidoro, M. Gauss, F. Meleux, M. Memmesheimer, A. Mieville, L. Rouïl, F. Russo, S. Solberg, F. Stordal, and F. Tampieri
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 11657–11678, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11657-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-11657-2011, 2011
03 Nov 2011
Estimation of NOx emissions from Delhi using Car MAX-DOAS observations and comparison with OMI satellite data
R. Shaiganfar, S. Beirle, M. Sharma, A. Chauhan, R. P. Singh, and T. Wagner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 10871–10887, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10871-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10871-2011, 2011
27 Oct 2011
Aerosol climatology over Nile Delta based on MODIS, MISR and OMI satellite data
H. S. Marey, J. C. Gille, H. M. El-Askary, E. A. Shalaby, and M. E. El-Raey
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 10637–10648, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10637-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10637-2011, 2011
04 Oct 2011
Atmospheric impacts of the 2010 Russian wildfires: integrating modelling and measurements of an extreme air pollution episode in the Moscow region
I. B. Konovalov, M. Beekmann, I. N. Kuznetsova, A. Yurova, and A. M. Zvyagintsev
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 10031–10056, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10031-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-10031-2011, 2011
18 Aug 2011
Air-chemistry "turbulence": power-law scaling and statistical regularity
H.-m. Hsu, C.-Y. Lin, A. Guenther, J. J. Tribbia, and S. C. Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 8395–8413, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-8395-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-8395-2011, 2011
18 Jul 2011
Trace gas and particle emissions from open biomass burning in Mexico
R. J. Yokelson, I. R. Burling, S. P. Urbanski, E. L. Atlas, K. Adachi, P. R. Buseck, C. Wiedinmyer, S. K. Akagi, D. W. Toohey, and C. E. Wold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6787–6808, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6787-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6787-2011, 2011
13 Jul 2011
Modeling organic aerosols in a megacity: comparison of simple and complex representations of the volatility basis set approach
M. Shrivastava, J. Fast, R. Easter, W. I. Gustafson Jr., R. A. Zaveri, J. L. Jimenez, P. Saide, and A. Hodzic
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6639–6662, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6639-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6639-2011, 2011
01 Jul 2011
Simultaneous retrieval of aerosol and cloud properties during the MILAGRO field campaign
K. Knobelspiesse, B. Cairns, J. Redemann, R. W. Bergstrom, and A. Stohl
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6245–6263, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6245-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6245-2011, 2011
01 Jun 2011
Sources and production of organic aerosol in Mexico City: insights from the combination of a chemical transport model (PMCAMx-2008) and measurements during MILAGRO
A. P. Tsimpidi, V. A. Karydis, M. Zavala, W. Lei, N. Bei, L. Molina, and S. N. Pandis
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5153–5168, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5153-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5153-2011, 2011
01 Jun 2011
Aerosol effects on the photochemistry in Mexico City during MCMA-2006/MILAGRO campaign
G. Li, N. Bei, X. Tie, and L. T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 5169–5182, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5169-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-5169-2011, 2011
27 Apr 2011
Simulations of organic aerosol concentrations in Mexico City using the WRF-CHEM model during the MCMA-2006/MILAGRO campaign
G. Li, M. Zavala, W. Lei, A. P. Tsimpidi, V. A. Karydis, S. N. Pandis, M. R. Canagaratna, and L. T. Molina
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 3789–3809, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3789-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3789-2011, 2011
27 Apr 2011
The impact of temperature changes on summer time ozone and its precursors in the Eastern Mediterranean
U. Im, K. Markakis, A. Poupkou, D. Melas, A. Unal, E. Gerasopoulos, N. Daskalakis, T. Kindap, and M. Kanakidou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 3847–3864, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3847-2011,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3847-2011, 2011
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