Relative effects on atmospheric ozone of latitude and altitude of supersonic flight
Three calculations are reported of the potential depletion of ozone by supersonic aircraft. These calculations utilized a two-dimensional model and a three-dimensional photochemical-dynamical model of the atmosphere in which ozone and the dynamical variables of the atmosphere were derived simultaneously. All calculations were based on a continuous atmospheric injection of 1.8 million tons/yr of NO2. Injections of 45 deg N and 20 km, at equilibrium, resulted in a 36% increase in total odd nitrogen between 8 and 38 km and in global ozone depletion of approximately 12%. Injection at 45 deg N and 17 km produced a 27% increase in odd nitrogen, but, because much of this increase occurred below 20 km, the ozone depletion amounted to only 6%. Injection at 10 deg N and 29 km resulted in a 55% increase of odd nitrogen; however, although there was more depletion above 20 km altitude, there was less below that altitude, and the ozone depletion was only 12.5%. In all three calculations, at least half as much ozone depletion occurred in the Southern Hemisphere as in the Northern Hemisphere.