Warning level (in swedish) 1, SwedenThere is a broad range of environmental issues related to substances emitted to the atmosphere from anthropogenic and natural sources. The issues may concern long-term effects, like climate change, acidification or eutrophication, or be of a short-term nature like the effects of toxic species. Good Air Quality is an important target for a sustainable society.
The activities of the Air quality research unit at SMHI cover the modelling of atmospheric dispersion, chemical and physical transformations and the deposition of substances from global to local scales. A range of different models are developed and applied.
New European air chemistry forecast service
Variations in the chemical composition of the air play a decisive role, in terms of the climate and for our health. Now a completely new European air chemistry forecast service is being established.
Air chemistry forecast serviceAir pollution in cities must decrease
It may be difficult to fully achieve clean air objectives also in the future. New results confirm that it is primarily local emissions caused by road traffic that need to be restricted.
Air pollution in cities must decreaseAir Quality modelling on different scales
Air pollutants derive from various sources. Some contributions to the concentrations are caused by local emission sources, while other contributions are caused by long-range transportation. In our research we use and develop dispersion models on various spatial scales, suitable for different issues. More about our research:
Air Quality on local and urban scaleAir Quality on regional scale
Dispersion models
Models are important tools for calculating the dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere. At SMHI we develop and apply a range of models on different geographical scales, custom-made for different issues. More information about our models:
MATCH - regional and global transport and chemistry modelSIMAIR - coupled model concept for road traffic and wood combustion
Aerosol modelling - for increased health and improved climate simulations
A greater understanding of aerosol particles is important due to their potentially negative impact on human health and ecosystems, but they also play an important role in the global climate by their influence on Earth's radiation balance.
Research in aerosol modellingAir Quality and climate change
In a future climate the concentrations and depositions of air pollutants may change considerably - resulting in the elimination of our current view of emission reductions.
Air Quality and Climate ChangeExposure, health effects and external costs
Exposure to air pollution has a negative impact on human health, which brings about high external costs.
Exposure, health effects and external costs