TerrAria, in collaboration with Enviroware, has developed the MAQES (Multimodel Air Quality and Environment Suite) modelling platform, which allows the simulation of pollutant dispersion processes in the atmosphere, as well as the estimation of depositions and pollutant particles on the ground for the assessment of environmental impact and population health.
Key components
The air quality platform is designed with a modular architecture and integrates several numerical models. Specifically, the atmospheric dispersion model implemented in the platform is LAPMOD. The modelling system uses the outputs of the CALMET model to describe the meteorological field. In particular:
LAPMOD: is an atmospheric dispersion model capable of simulating the transport and dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, taking into account meteorological conditions and territorial characteristics.
CALMET: is a meteorological model that provides detailed information on atmospheric conditions (such as wind, temperature, humidity) necessary to simulate the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere.
MAQES offers a high degree of customisation to users, who can select the calculation domains, i.e. the geographical areas to be simulated, the duration of the simulations (hourly, daily or annual), and the pollutants to be considered (such as PM10, PM2.5, NOX, SO2). The results can be viewed both in terms of pollutant particle distribution and pollutant concentrations.
Product functionality
MAQES is an advanced air quality platform for environmental modelling, designed to provide integrated support for air quality analysis and the assessment of environmental and health impacts. The platform offers a range of features, including:
- Simulation of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants: enables advanced modelling of the transport and dispersion processes of pollutants in the atmosphere, emitted from point, linear or diffuse sources (e.g. industrial plants, vehicular traffic, agricultural activities).
- Estimation of ground deposition: integrates modules for estimating the deposition of pollutants in the atmosphere, allowing the accumulation of contaminants in environmental compartments (soil, surface water, vegetation) to be assessed.
- Assessment of environmental and health impacts: supports the integrated analysis of environmental and health impacts resulting from exposure to atmospheric pollutants. The platform allows for the estimation of ground-level concentrations and the assessment of population exposure, providing scientific support for land-use planning, mitigation policies and risk management.
Product Application
The tool currently used by institutions such as the Milan health protection agency (ATS) for health and epidemiological impact assessments. In particular, it is used to analyse the impact of industrial emissions on the health of the population living in neighbouring areas, to study the correlations between exposure to air pollutants and the incidence of respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, and to support the planning of interventions aimed at reducing exposure and improving air quality.
In the field of air quality assessment platforms, TerrAria has developed the MARS (Multimodel AiR Suite) system on behalf of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MARS is an integrated modelling platform designed to support both odour assessment and the assessment of the impact of pollutants in the atmosphere, using the CALPUFF and CAMx air quality models. Thanks to these models, MARS allows not only the concentrations of pollutants to be assessed, but also olfactory perception, a crucial aspect especially in industrial or urban areas where odorous emissions can have a strong impact on quality of life. The platform allows the current environmental conditions and possible future developments related to the urban and industrial development of the city of Jazan Economic City to be simulated.
Discover how the MAQES tool can help you analyse air quality and assess environmental and health impacts.
Contact us for a personalised demo or for more information about the platform.
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👉 Write to us at: info@terraria.com
