Modeling of Particulate Matter pollution in Reykjavík

One of my projects is to model the level of particulate matter pollution in Reykjavik, near Grensásvegur.


The image below is how the model has faired so far (red line is the model and blue line is the measured level of pollution). I have not included information about things like snow cover or dust storms, so some of the discrepancy may be due to that. In any case, this model is supposed to capture the pollution due to traffic and local sources.

  Overall I think it is fair to say that the model does a good job, remembering that these are 30 min values, and local disturbances (even a bus eroding settled dust) are not corrected for in any way.

Dust storm from Landeyjasandi 5 Feb 2010

The weather on the south coast is still dry and sunny, and dust storms are seen emitting from Landeyjasandur (and further east even).  Click on images to see a larger version.

The image above was taken at 12:55, but the one below about 15 minutes later, at 13:10. Images courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response System.

Dust storm from Landeyjasandi 3 February 2010

A dust storm from Landeyjasandi is clearly visible on this satellite image from Wednesday 3 February 2010. The level of particulate matter pollution in Reykjavik was high (at least in some parts) during the day, but that was most likely due to traffic. At least, around 13:05 when this image is taken, the dust did not reach Reykjavik.

Winter Temperatures and the Arctic Oscillation

Winter Temperatures and the Arctic Oscillation

This image illustrates how cold December was compared to the average of temperatures recorded in December between 2000 and 2008.

NOA in full swing.

Particulate matter pollution during New year’s eve 2009/10

Like predicted the PM10 pollution levels were high during New year’s eve.
Reached 2185 mg m^-3 at 01:30 at Grensásvegi (GRE; according the Reykjavik city website).

At FHG and FAR the maximum pollution levels were around 1200 mg m^-3.