Development of a three-dimensional inventory of aircraft NO x emissions over China

Abstract

A three-dimensional (1° latitude×1° longitude×1 km altitude) inventory of aircraft NO x emissions over China for a calendar year of 1997–1998 has been developed using the detailed schedule database of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The fuel burned and emissions are calculated according to fuel burn rates and NO x emission indices of different airplane types along each flight path. The calculated total fuel burned and NO x emissions are 9.557×10 6 kg day −1 and 1.220×10 5 kg day −1, respectively. Nearly 78% of these emissions occur at an altitude band of 9–12 km. The high emission rates are found in the regions of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai as well as the corridors connecting these three cities. The highest NO x emission rate in these regions can be 3.7×10 3 kg day −1 in a column-integrated grid. The seasonal dependence as well as diurnal circle of NO x emission rates is presented. The time resolution of the inventory is as high as 1 h.