SARMAP Modeling System

The SARMAP Modeling System consists of the SARMAP Meteorological Model (SMM), Emissions Modeling System (EMS), and the SARMAP Air Quality Model (SAQM). The SMM is a non-hydrostatic version of the Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model, also known as MM5. The EMS, an enhanced version of the Geocoded Emissions Modeling Adaptation Project (GEMAP), is based upon SAS and ARC/INFO GIS software systems. The SAQM is a state-of-science three-dimensional regional scale air quality model.

Technical description of MM5, its computer code and its user's guide can be obtained from NCAR. Technical description of EMS, its computer code and its user's guide can be obtained from Dr. Saffet Tanrikulu of the California Air Resources Board. Note that the current version of EMS will require SAS and ARC/INFO GIS software systems. Information on SAS and ARC/INFO GIS software systems can be obtained from SAS Institute, Inc. and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI).

The development of the SARMAP Air Quality Model has been completed and the model has been applied in central California which includes the San Joaquin Valley and surrounding air basins, to prepare the 1994 State Implementation Plan. The model has been extensively tested and evaluated using the rich database of the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Study. The model passed the model evaluation criteria of U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board. The model has many important attributes which include: map projection capability to account for the curvature of the earth; telescoping grid capability; a coordinate system that matches the coordinate system of MM5 to avoid interpolation between the two models; grid nesting capability (both one-way and two-way nesting is possible); a high resolution verticle grid system (the thickness of the layer near the ground is about 10 m); two chemical mechanisms (Carbon-bond-IV and Statewide Air Pollution Research Center (SAPRC)); a Plume-in-Grid module; and three advection schemes. An aerosol module is being incorporated into the model.

Documents on technical formulation and model performance, user's guide, computer code as well as sample inputs and outputs for SAQM are available. The SARMAP modeling system is publicly available and a copy of it can be obtained from Dr. Saffet Tanrikulu of the California Air Resources Board at the address given below:

Information contact:

Dr. Saffet Tanrikulu
Modeling Support Section
California Air Resources Board
2020 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 322-7298
Fax: (916) 327-8524
E-mail:saffet@cupid.arb.ca.gov