Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition

An aircraft plume model has been developed on the basis of two coupled trajectory box models. Two boxes, one for plume and one for background conditions, are coupled by means of a mixing parameterization based on turbulence theory. The model considers comprehensive gas phase chemistry for the tropop...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. K. Meilinger, B. Kärcher, Th. Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2005-01-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/5/533/2005/acp-5-533-2005.pdf
_version_ 1811253196310446080
author S. K. Meilinger
B. Kärcher
Th. Peter
author_facet S. K. Meilinger
B. Kärcher
Th. Peter
author_sort S. K. Meilinger
collection DOAJ
description An aircraft plume model has been developed on the basis of two coupled trajectory box models. Two boxes, one for plume and one for background conditions, are coupled by means of a mixing parameterization based on turbulence theory. The model considers comprehensive gas phase chemistry for the tropopause region including acetone, ethane and their oxidation products. Heterogeneous halogen, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> and HO<sub>x</sub> chemistry on various types of background and aircraft-induced aerosols (liquid and ice) is considered, using state-of-the-art solubility dependent uptake coefficients for liquid phase reactions. The microphysical scheme allows for coagulation, gas-diffusive particle growth and evaporation, so that the particle development from 1s after emission to several days can be simulated. Model results are shown, studying emissions into the upper troposphere as well as into the lowermost stratosphere for contrail and non-contrail conditions. We show the microphysical and chemical evolution of spreading plumes and use the concept of mean plume encounter time, <i>t<sub>l</sub></i>, to define effective emission and perturbation indices (<i>EEI</i>s and <i>EPI</i>s) for the North Atlantic Flight Corridor (NAFC) showing <i>EEI</i>(NO<sub>y</sub>) and <i>EPI</i>(O<sub>3</sub>) for various background conditions, such as relative humidity, local time of emission, and seasonal variations. Our results show a high sensitivity of <i>EEI</i> and <i>EPI</i>s on the exact conditions under which emissions take place. The difference of <i>EEI</i>s with and without considering plume processes indicates that these processes cannot be neglected.
first_indexed 2024-04-12T16:46:18Z
format Article
id doaj.art-abaabdd366b14d9ea980ba0af905ac92
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1680-7316
1680-7324
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-12T16:46:18Z
publishDate 2005-01-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
spelling doaj.art-abaabdd366b14d9ea980ba0af905ac922022-12-22T03:24:33ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242005-01-0152533545Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric compositionS. K. MeilingerB. KärcherTh. PeterAn aircraft plume model has been developed on the basis of two coupled trajectory box models. Two boxes, one for plume and one for background conditions, are coupled by means of a mixing parameterization based on turbulence theory. The model considers comprehensive gas phase chemistry for the tropopause region including acetone, ethane and their oxidation products. Heterogeneous halogen, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> and HO<sub>x</sub> chemistry on various types of background and aircraft-induced aerosols (liquid and ice) is considered, using state-of-the-art solubility dependent uptake coefficients for liquid phase reactions. The microphysical scheme allows for coagulation, gas-diffusive particle growth and evaporation, so that the particle development from 1s after emission to several days can be simulated. Model results are shown, studying emissions into the upper troposphere as well as into the lowermost stratosphere for contrail and non-contrail conditions. We show the microphysical and chemical evolution of spreading plumes and use the concept of mean plume encounter time, <i>t<sub>l</sub></i>, to define effective emission and perturbation indices (<i>EEI</i>s and <i>EPI</i>s) for the North Atlantic Flight Corridor (NAFC) showing <i>EEI</i>(NO<sub>y</sub>) and <i>EPI</i>(O<sub>3</sub>) for various background conditions, such as relative humidity, local time of emission, and seasonal variations. Our results show a high sensitivity of <i>EEI</i> and <i>EPI</i>s on the exact conditions under which emissions take place. The difference of <i>EEI</i>s with and without considering plume processes indicates that these processes cannot be neglected.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/5/533/2005/acp-5-533-2005.pdf
spellingShingle S. K. Meilinger
B. Kärcher
Th. Peter
Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
title_full Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
title_fullStr Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
title_full_unstemmed Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
title_short Microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes - high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
title_sort microphysics and heterogeneous chemistry in aircraft plumes high sensitivity on local meteorology and atmospheric composition
url http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/5/533/2005/acp-5-533-2005.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT skmeilinger microphysicsandheterogeneouschemistryinaircraftplumeshighsensitivityonlocalmeteorologyandatmosphericcomposition
AT bkarcher microphysicsandheterogeneouschemistryinaircraftplumeshighsensitivityonlocalmeteorologyandatmosphericcomposition
AT thpeter microphysicsandheterogeneouschemistryinaircraftplumeshighsensitivityonlocalmeteorologyandatmosphericcomposition