Development of a three-dimensional inventory of aircraft NOx emissions over China

A three-dimensional (1° latitude×1° longitude×1 km altitude) inventory of aircraft NOx 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 NOx emission indices of different airplane types along each flight path. The calculated total fuel burned and NOx emissions are 9.557×106 kg day−1 and 1.220×105 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 NOx emission rate in these regions can be 3.7×103 kg day−1 in a column-integrated grid. The seasonal dependence as well as diurnal circle of NOx emission rates is presented. The time resolution of the inventory is as high as 1 h.