A collaborative research team led by scientists from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and Peking University has developed an air quality model named the Emission and Atmospheric Processes Integrated and Coupled Community Model (EPICC), which demonstrates enhanced accuracy in simulating ozone and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less).

Their findings were recently published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences.

EPICC is a three-dimensional (3D) tropospheric chemical transport model. Tropospheric chemical transport models are key tools for studying the movement of air pollutants and trace gases in the lower atmosphere, using numerical simulations to illustrate the formation, transport, and deposition of pollutants.

Featuring a scientific, modular structure, a standardized version control system, and a "plug-and-play" design, EPICC incorporates critical physical and chemical processes—including manganese-catalyzed sulfate chemistry, multiple nitrous acid formation pathways, and interactions between aerosols, clouds, and solar radiation. Performance tests indicate that the model significantly improves the accuracy of PM_2.5 and ozone simulations, effectively addressing flaws in traditional models that often underestimated sulfate concentrations and overestimated summer ozone levels.

The research team noted that EPICC can serve as a more effective decision-making tool for China and other rapidly developing countries grappling with similar complex air pollution challenges.