Hello.
I am curious if CMAQ-ISAM can tag for particle numbers.
In the isam_control.txt file,
I can choose only 9 options.
e.g. !!! Choose any/all from the list of nine: SULFATE, NITRATE, AMMONIUM, EC, OC, VOC, PM25_IONS, OZONE, CHLORINE
Unfortunately, number and surface area are currently not included, and it is not clear how the ISAM source-tagging approach could be extended to handle these metrics since they are not conserved like mass is.
For example, if a small particle and large particle from to sources collide, what is the source allocation of the resulting particle? Surface area would in theory be more tractable since it is a continuous quantity, but it would be difficult to determine how one thinks about particle morphology and source distribution. It would not be a very meaningful prediction at this point.
My recommendation (if you have a limited number of sources you are considering) would be to zero out each source of concern and quantify the impact on particle number.
Hello Ben, I hope this message finds you well. I had the same question. I imagine that until now (CMAQv5.5), we have only calculated source apportionment for particle number using the Brute Force Method, right?
We are still only supporting apportionment of particle mass. There are currently no plans to address particle number with ISAM. Brute-force method continues to be your best way forward.