Warning of Longer-Lived Contrails Throws a Spanner in the Works
Contrails: A Growing Climate Concern
A recent study has found that contrails, the white streaks left behind by aircraft, are lasting longer in the atmosphere than previously thought. This finding throws a spanner in the works for the aviation industry, which is already under pressure to reduce its environmental impact.
The Problem with Contrails
Contrails are made up of water vapor and ice crystals that form when hot exhaust from aircraft engines mixes with the cold, moist air at high altitudes. These contrails can persist for hours, reflecting sunlight back into space and contributing to global warming.
As aircraft fly higher and higher to save fuel, their contrails have a greater impact on the climate. A study published in 2022 found that contrails from modern aircraft could be responsible for up to 10% of aviation's climate impact.
New Research Raises Concerns
The new study, published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, found that contrails from modern aircraft are lasting longer than those from older aircraft. This is because modern aircraft fly at higher altitudes, where the air is colder and drier.
The study also found that the longer-lived contrails are more likely to spread out and form cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy clouds that are made up of ice crystals. They can trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Conclusion: A Spanner in the Works
The finding that contrails are lasting longer than previously thought is a major concern for the aviation industry. It means that the industry will need to take more aggressive action to reduce its climate impact.
One possible solution is to develop new aircraft that fly at lower altitudes. Another possibility is to develop new engine technologies that produce less heat.
The aviation industry is under pressure to reduce its environmental impact, and the new research on contrails makes it clear that the industry needs to act quickly.
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