Ozone modeling over Italy: A sensitivity analysis to precursors using BOLCHEM air quality model

The sensitivity of ozone to the reduction of NOx and VOC over Italy has been investigated with the air quality model BOLCHEM, which includes two photochemical mechanisms: SAPRC-90 and CB-IV. The study has been carried out for some case studies during the years 1999 and 2003. The results show the relative importance of precursors in reducing the ozone levels and allow identifying regions of Italy where local emissions reduction strategies are less effective. This study also shows the effect of the errors in isoprene inventories on ozone concentrations.