Projected Changes in NO_x Emissions from Lightning as a Result of 2000–2050 Climate Change

摘要

Lightning is one of the most important natural sources of atmospheric NOx.The authors investigate the2000–2050 changes in NOx emissions from lightning using the global three-dimensional Goddard Earth Observing System chemical transport model(GEOS-Chem)driven by meteorological fields from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies(GISS)general circulation model(GCM)3.Projected changes in climate over 2000–2050are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)A1B scenario.The global NOx emission from lightning is simulated to be 4.8 Tg N in present day and to increase by about 16.7%over 2000–2050 as a result of the future climate change.The largest present-day emissions and climate-induced changes are found in the upper troposphere in the tropics.Regionally in eastern China(20–55 N,98–125 E),NOx emissions from lighting is simulated to be 0.3 Tg N(6.3%of the global total emission)in present day and to increase by 26.7%over2000–2050.The simulated changes in NOx from lightening correspond well with the projected future changes in convective precipitation.