Impact of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Aircraft on Radiative Forcing and Temperature Change at the Airports in Korea: Comparison between Simplified Expression and Radiative Transfer Model

Abstract

In this study, spatial and temporal variations of radiative forcing (RF) and mean temperature changes due to greenhouse gases (CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O) emitted from commercial aircraft were examined based on the simplified expression at the airports in Korea during 2009~2010. The radiative transfer model (SBDART) was used to compare with the RF and mean temperature changes calculated from the simplified expressions for greenhouse gas CO 2 . The RF simulated by the SBDART was about 67% higher than that of the simplified expression, on average. The highest mean RF (up to 9.0 mW/m 2 for CO 2 ) and mean temperature changes (up to 9.7×10 -5 � K/day for CO 2 ) for all GHGs occurred at Ulsan airport during the study period, whereas the lowest RF and temperature changes at Yangyang (for CO 2 ) and Sacheon airports (for CH 4 and N 2 O). In the case of CH 4 and N 2 O, their effects to the RF and mean temperature change were negligible compared to CO 2 .