Use of the CMAQ and WRF-Chem models to investigate tropospheric ozone in the El Paso-Juarez airshed

Ground level ozone pollution is a continuing environmental concern in several U.S cities. A necessary step towards understanding and quantifying the problem is the implementation of numerical models that can predict ozone concentration, allowing a comparison between the numerical models and available experimental data. This work applies the CMAQ and WRF-Chem models to study the ozone concentrations in El Paso-Juarez Airshed and analyzes the influence of U.S and Mexican cities as posible contributors to ground level ozone in this región. We present the models' ozone concentration results for representative high ozone episodes and compare them against TCEQ experimental data. Hysplit trajectories and synoptic meteorological conditions are also presented. These studies will have an impact in pollution control strategies over numerous U.S regions which are in non-compliance with U.S Standards for ozone concentration.