A general description of the numerical modeling of the atmospheric chemical composition is presented. The relevant role played by some trace gases and aerosols on the Earth radiative budget, hydrological cycle and air quality are discussed. The formulation for emission, deposition, chemical reactions and transport (resolved and sub-grid scale) processes are introduced within the mass continuity equation integrated to the basic equations system for the Earth atmosphere. The numerical aspects of this formulation are as well discussed, specially the intrinsic complexity and the high computational costs of the chemical reactions system. Examples are showed using results obtained with the CCATT - BRAMS model, such as the sensitivity of the tropospheric ozone simulation to reliable emission data and comparison of the CCATT-BRAMS results with other model. Numerical simulations performed for the 2002 dry season allowed to study possible biogeochemical cycles and corridors of tropospheric ozone formation, transport and deposition from precursor's emissions by biomass burning activities. We also looked at the atmospheric model response to the direct effect of biomass burning aerosols on the thermodynamic equation and on the convective inhibition.
Air quality; trace gases; aerosol; atmospheric chemistry; numerical modeling
