Implications of three-dimensional tracer studies for two-dimensional assessments of the impact of supersonic aircraft on Stratospheric ozone

Journal Article · Thu May 20 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93JD00250· OSTI ID:6452557

Douglass, A R; Rood, R B ^[1]; Weaver, C J; Cerniglia, M C ^[2]; Brueske, K F ^[3]

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1. Goddard space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
2. Applied Research Corp., Landover, MD (United States)
3. Research and Data Systems, Landover, MD (United States)

The authors report on model studies of the impact of stratospheric aircraft on the environment. In particular such studies look at the impact due to the release of aircraft exhaust gases, including NO, NO[sub 2], CO[sub 2], H[sub 2]O, and other trace gases. The impact of such gases on the detailed photochemical processes occuring in the stratosphere is looked at. They can dramatically change local densities of such gases, which can impact ozone destruction, and other atmospheric chemical processes. The question of the transport of these gases is also an active concern. Recent calculations indicate that present emission limits would have a major impact upon ozone densities. However if new engine designs can decrease emissions by a factor near 10, then this may not be so significant. At that point it is much more important to have a better grasp of other factors which can influence the impact of such releases in the stratosphere. These include such things as mixing rates out of projected flight lanes, both vertically and horizontally, potential asymetries in such mixing, residence times of such gases, etc. A major problem at present is that most calculations are 2D in nature, but this is in many respects a very 3D problem, particularly when issues of asymmetry and transport are introduced. The authors use a 3D chemistry and transport model, in conjunction with the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) 2D model to try to model 3D circulation effects into the 2D calculations. These models are run for different stratospheric flight paths, where mixing processes are considerably different.

• OSTI ID: 6452557
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 98:D5; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIRCRAFT
AIR POLLUTION
EXHAUST GASES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
OZONE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
CARBON DIOXIDE
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
STRATOSPHERE
WATER VAPOR
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
VAPORS
WASTES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)