Atmospheric pollution

Using models to predict and simulate pollution
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The Institute is recognized nationally and internationally for its forecasting models which predict atmospheric pollution at multiple time and geographic scales. Most notably, the Institute is developing the chemical-transport model CHIMERE in partnership with CNRS.

At smaller time scales, the model is used as part of the national air quality forecasting system, PREV’AIR, developed in partnership with Météo-France and CRNS to predict and monitor pollution episodes in France.
In the short and medium term, the model is used to evaluate air quality management policies. For example, Ineris used the model in European Union negotiations on national emissions limits, which resulted in the revision of the NEC Directive in December 2016.
The model was also used to carry out simulations that helped define the objectives and actions of the National Plan for Reducing Atmospheric Pollutant Emissions (PREPA).
For long-term research (horizon 2050 and beyond), Ineris combined CHIMERE with a climate model on a European scale to integrate the effects of climate change into evaluations of air quality management policy.
Finally, since pollutant emission levels are a fundamental data point in modelling, the Ministry of the Environment chose Ineris to manage and operate the new spatialized emissions inventory (INS). The inventory counts all atmospheric emissions in France by the kilometre, for more than 50 different pollutants.

Using metrology to identify pollution sources

Ineris uses a combination of measuring devices, both in the lab and the field, to characterize emissions or atmospheric conditions surrounding sites (for example, ammonia emissions at livestock farming facilities and nanoparticle emissions around industrial sites).
Recognized across Europe for its testing, validation and standardization of sampling and analysis methods, the Institute also tests new and innovative instruments. With its in-depth knowledge of instrumentation and its ability to anticipate technological advances, the Institute contributes to the Central Air Quality Monitoring Laboratory (LCSQA), most notably by supervising the CARA program (Chemical Characterization of Particles).
Created in 2008, this network documents the nature of major episodes of particle pollution on a national scale, identifies and quantifies the principal sources of particulate matter (PM) on an annual and multi-annual scale, and serves as a reference for model optimization.
The Institute relies on a wide range of experimental resources. It has access to an emissions test centre that is one-of-a-kind in Europe and is capable of simulating both gas and particle emissions.

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