Air Modeling and Data Analysis

The Air Modeling and Data Analysis Group supports a variety of technical work for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Air Resource Management.

Air Modeling

Air modeling is used to estimate and predict the concentrations of pollutants in the air by simulating the physical and chemical processes of the atmosphere and is generally performed for three different purposes:

1. Air Permitting
   Air quality models are used to predict the future impacts of new or modified facilities and to ensure that these impacts will not exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) increments.
2. State Implementation Plan (SIP) Development
   Under certain circumstances, DEP is required to run air quality models for SIP planning purposes. Examples include modeling related to nonattainment areas, regional haze and interstate transport.
3. Air Quality Forecasting
   Air quality forecasters review air quality modeling performed by federal agencies such as the National Weather Service to provide next day forecasting of ozone and particulate matter concentrations.

Data Analysis

The Air Modeling and Data Analysis Group performs complex analysis of large datasets to, among other things, analyze trends in air quality, create and maintain inventories of emissions, provide input data for modeling and review model output.

• 2024 Hillsborough-Polk Verification of Continued Attainment Annual Report
• 2024 Florida Ongoing Data Requirements Annual Report