Air quality modeling in the city of Marrakech, Morocco using a local anthropogenic emission inventory

Exposure to high levels of suspended particles, and particularly dust, has been associated with increased risk morbidity premature mortality. The city Marrakech is situated at a distance only 560 km from the Sahara desert, major dust source in world, leading an atmosphere rich particulate matter all year round. In this study, we use for first-time local scale information on anthropogenic emissions conduct urban-scale chemistry-transport model simulations CHIMERE-WRF coupled system. We compare simulated airborne particles diameter lower 10 ?m (PM10), NO2 O3 concentrations against surface in-situ measurements quantify added value inventory compared state-of-the-art global emission dataset (CAMS-GLOB_ANT). show that correlation increases bias decreases cases (pollutants, seasons monitor sites). component summertime PM10 composition whereas winter consists mainly primary organic aerosol. Comparison between observed aerosol optical depth suggests reproduces accurately most plumes. are closer during summer than overestimation 13% versus underestimation 37% winter. Finally, how Atlas range blocks some extent import plumes region export air-pollution surrounding area ozone formation altitude. Modeling important activity predict air-quality Africa, where networks scarce. Our results highlight necessity using fine scale, assess particular (i) chemical atmospheric aerosol; ii) relative role transport locally emitted or formed iii) provide evidence