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10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HARMONISATION WITHIN ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELLING FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES

Crete, Greece, 17-20 October, 2005

BACKGROUND
Dispersion modelling has been an effective tool to assess the environmental impact of human activities on air quality already at the early planning stage. Environmental assessments during planning are required by the EU directive 85/337/EEC. Only models can give detailed information on the distribution of pollutants with high spatial and temporal resolution, while they allow the decision-maker to devise a range of scenarios, in which the various processes determining the environmental impact can be easily simulated and changed.

Furthermore, the implementation of the European Union framework directive on air quality (96/62/EC) and their daughter directives requires an extensive assessment of air quality in the EU member states. One of the required tools is air-quality models for assessing regional and urban air quality. There is a fundamental need for the European countries to build upon the experiences of each other according to the requirements in the framework directive, and to harmonise the development and use of models in several respects.

In June 1991, at a meeting at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, an initiative was launched on the sharing of information and possible harmonisation of new approaches to atmospheric dispersion modelling and model evaluation. This initiative has fostered a series of conferences that have been concerned with improvement of "modelling culture" in Europe.

The 10th International Conference on Harmonisation within Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling for Regulatory Purposes at Sissi (Malia) Crete, will continue the efforts of the previous conferences. The conference has a role as a forum where users and decision-makers can bring their requirements to the attention of scientists. It is also a natural forum for discussing environmental issues related to the European Union enlargement process.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The 10th Conference is addressed towards model developers, model users, environmental protection agencies, and environmental legislation experts. Abstracts of contributions fitting into the scope of the conference are invited. There will be both oral presentations and poster sessions. An award for the 3 best poster presentations is foreseen. The deadline for short abstract (no more than 300 words) with indication of the preferred topic is 14 March, 2005. The abstract should preferably be sent via the abstract submission form of the conference home page: http://www.harmo.org/harmo10/abstracts.
Since the beginning of the conference series, an area of primary interest has been the assurance of model quality, in particular through model evaluation and quantification of model uncertainties. Tools used at previous Harmonisation Conferences (e.g. Model Validation Kit, Model Inter-comparison Tool, ASTM methodology, etc.) will be an important topic for discussion and presentations.

THIS CONFERENCE WILL COVER THE FOLLOWING TOPICS

What distinguishes this conference from many others is its focus on common tools and methodologies. The basic criteria for selecting papers for oral presentation will be whether they fit in with the philosophy of developing an improved modelling culture where modellers as well as regulators and users make effective use of each other’s experience.

LOCATION
The Conference will take place at a former fishermen's village of Sissi which remained untouched for a long time around the small village centre and a picturesque little port. This is located at distance of 45 km from Heraklion airport (35 min) and about 7 km from the archaeological site of the Malia, with its well known Minoan Palace. The town of Malia nearby offers a small old town centre, shops and restaurants. A special discount rate will be available for the participants at the hotel and there are also several hotels nearby for alternative accommodation. The Conference registration form, accommodation forms and other relevant information as well as abstract registration will be continuously updated at the following address: http://www.kalimerakriti.gr/conference.asp

IMPORTANT DATES

CONTACT

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