Photochemical ozone production along flight trajectories in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and route optimisation

Abstract

Aviation is widely recognised to have global-scale climate impacts through the formation of ozone (O3) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS), driven by emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX). Ozone is known to be one of the most potent greenhouse gases formed from the interaction of aircraft emission plumes with atmospheric species. This paper follows up on previous research, where a Photochemical Trajectory Model was shown to be a robust measure of ozone formation along flight trajectories post-flight. We use a combination of a global Lagrangian chemistry-transport model and a box model to quantify the impacts of aircraft NOX on UTLS ozone over a five-day timescale. This work expands on the spatial and temporal range, as well as the chemical accuracy reported previously, with a greater range of NOX chemistry relevant chemical species. Based on these models, route optimisation has been investigated, through the use of network theory and algorithms. This is to show the potential inclusion of an understanding of climate-sensitive regions of the atmosphere on route planning can have on aviation’s impact on Earth’s Thermal Radiation balance with existing resources and technology. Optimised flight trajectories indicated reductions in O3 formation per unit NOX are in the range 1–40% depending on the spatial aspect of the flight. Temporally, local winter times and equatorial regions are generally found to have the most significant O3 formation per unit NOX; moreover, hotspots were found over the Pacific and Indian Ocean.