Poster's note : concerning lack of certainty, relevant to a range of
geoengineering interventions. Note Partennen's previous work in this
regard.

Simulated 2050 aviation radiative forcing from contrailsand aerosols

Chih-Chieh Chen and Andrew Gettelman
NCAR [email protected]
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss
13 June 2016

Abstract
The radiative forcing from aviation-inducedcloudiness is investigated by
using the Community Atmosphere Model Version 5 (CAM5) in the present (2006)
andthe future (through 2050). Global flight distance is projectedto
increase by a factor of 4 between 2006 and 2050. However,simulated contrail
cirrus radiative forcing in 2050 can reach87 mWm−2, an increase by a factor
of 7 from 2006, and thusdoes not scale linearly with fuel emission mass.
This is dueto non-uniform regional increase in air traffic and
differentsensitivities for contrail radiative forcing in different
regions.CAM5 simulations indicate that negative radiative forcing induced
by the indirect effect of aviation sulfate aerosolson liquid clouds in 2050
can be as large as −160 mWm−2,an increase by a factor of 4 from 2006. As a
result, the net2050 radiative forcing of contrail cirrus and aviation
aerosolsmay have a cooling effect on the planet. Aviation sulfateaerosols
emitted at cruise altitude can be transported down tothe lower troposphere,
increasing the aerosol concentration,thus increasing the cloud drop number
concentration and persistence of low-level clouds. Aviation black carbon
aerosolsproduce a negligible net forcing globally in 2006 and 2050in this
model study.
Uncertainties in the methodology and the modeling aresignificant and
discussed in detail. Nevertheless, the projected percentage increase in
contrail radiative forcing isimportant for future aviation impacts. In
addition, the roleof aviation aerosols in the cloud nucleation processes
cangreatly influence on the simulated radiative forcing
fromaircraft-induced cloudiness and even change its sign. Futureresearch to
confirm these results is necessary.

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