Feasibility Study of Young Scientists

KIT

As part of a concept study, a transferable methodology for determining future air pollution levels is being developed using the city of Karlsruhe as an example. The aim is to use the existing relationship between air quality and meteorological conditions to develop a calculation method for determining air quality. To this end, the air quality with regard to ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides and particulate matter is statistically analyzed on the basis of mobile measurements by AERO-TRAM and stationary air monitoring stations in terms of their dependence on classic meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, wind) and weather conditions. The quantitative correlations found between objectively classified weather conditions and air pollutant concentrations are converted into a calculation method that enables the frequency of air pollution situations to be determined. This can then be used to estimate changes in pollution levels as a result of climate change based on the frequency of weather conditions derived from the results of regional climate models. The investigations will initially focus on the Karlsruhe conurbation, where a broad database is available with over 2000 measurement runs by AERO-TRAM and measuring stations of the LUBW and KIT. In the future, the methodology can also be applied to other regional studies.

This Feasibility Study of Young Scientists is funded by the KIT Future Concept within the framework of the Excellence Initiative.