Modelling the Impact of Subsonic Aircraft Emissions on Ozone: Future Changes and the Impact of Cruise Altitude Perturbations

Marcus O. Köhler, Helen L. Rogers, John A. Pyle

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The intercomparison of upper troposphere and lower stratosphere NOx measured on board of commercial aircraft with results of the chemistry-climate model E39/C revealed an underestimation of summertime simulated NOx concentrations. A further investigation of the causes within the EU-project TRADEOFF, using new satellite data, indicated a deficiency in the lightning parameterisation. A new parameterisation has been developed, which is based on the convective massflux. The effect of individual emissions on the NOx and ozone concentration is shown. Tropical lightning emissions have the potential to enhance the mid-latitude NOx concentration via transport through the lowermost stratosphere. This transport process enhances ozone at midlatitudes to the same magnitude as mid-latitude lightning. Compared to the previous formulation of lightning the impact of air traffic is reduced when applying the new lightning parameterisation, although the absolute amount of emitted NOx by lightning was not affected, but the horizontal and vertical location of the emitted NOx. The contribution of air traffic to the NOx budget in the northern upper troposphere is reduced from 30%-40% to 20%-30% and the contribution to ozone is reduced from 3%-4% to 2.5%.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the European Conference on Aviation, Atmosphere and Climate (AAC), Friedrichshafen, Germany, 30th June – 3rd July 2003
Subtitle of host publicationAir pollution research report 83
EditorsRobert Sausen, Christine Fichter, Georgios Amanatidis
PublisherAAC
Pages173-177
Publication statusPublished - 2004
EventEuropean Conference on Aviation, Atmosphere and Climate (AAC) - Friedrichshafen, Germany
Duration: 30 Jun 20033 Jul 2003

Publication series

NameAir pollution research report
PublisherEuropean Commission
Number83 (EUR 21051)

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Conference on Aviation, Atmosphere and Climate (AAC)
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityFriedrichshafen
Period30/06/033/07/03

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