Most nitrogen deposition from aviation comes from high altitude

Aircraft emit nitrogen oxides and other emissions during both the LTO-phase (taxiing, take-off and landing) and when flying at high altitudes. These emissions return to the ground, resulting in nitrogen deposited over land and water bodies. Using an atmospheric model, researchers at TU Delft have quantified - for the first time - that in 2019 aviation was responsible for just under 1.2% of total global nitrogen deposition from all sources (anthropogenic and natural). However, aviation's impacts did grow by as much as 72% between 2005 and 2019. The researchers also calculated that, on average, 92% of aviation-induced nitrogen deposition is due to emissions during high-altitude flight, the majority of which is cruise. This research does not specifically zoom into the emissions from Dutch aviation or Schiphol Airport causing nitrogen deposition in Dutch Natura 2000 areas. It does show that to comprehensively address the nitrogen deposition from aviation worldwide, a global approach is needed that takes into account the cross-border nature of the impacts, similarly to other atmospheric effects of aviation such as air pollution and climate.