CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations
An accurate but simple quantification of the fraction of aerosol particles that can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is needed for implementation in large-scale models. Data on aerosol size distribution, chemical composition, and CCN concentration from six different locations have been analyze...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2010-05-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/10/4795/2010/acp-10-4795-2010.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818568150969483264 |
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| author | B. Ervens M. J. Cubison E. Andrews G. Feingold J. A. Ogren J. L. Jimenez P. K. Quinn T. S. Bates J. Wang Q. Zhang H. Coe M. Flynn J. D. Allan |
| author_facet | B. Ervens M. J. Cubison E. Andrews G. Feingold J. A. Ogren J. L. Jimenez P. K. Quinn T. S. Bates J. Wang Q. Zhang H. Coe M. Flynn J. D. Allan |
| author_sort | B. Ervens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An accurate but simple quantification of the fraction of aerosol particles that can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is needed for implementation in large-scale models. Data on aerosol size distribution, chemical composition, and CCN concentration from six different locations have been analyzed to explore the extent to which simple assumptions of composition and mixing state of the organic fraction can reproduce measured CCN number concentrations. <br><br> Fresher pollution aerosol as encountered in Riverside, CA, and the ship channel in Houston, TX, cannot be represented without knowledge of more complex (size-resolved) composition. For aerosol that has experienced processing (Mexico City, Holme Moss (UK), Point Reyes (CA), and Chebogue Point (Canada)), CCN can be predicted within a factor of two assuming either externally or internally mixed soluble organics although these simplified compositions/mixing states might not represent the actual properties of ambient aerosol populations, in agreement with many previous CCN studies in the literature. Under typical conditions, a factor of two uncertainty in CCN concentration due to composition assumptions translates to an uncertainty of ~15% in cloud drop concentration, which might be adequate for large-scale models given the much larger uncertainty in cloudiness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T06:32:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-74a53188f8b346888e74404474f8cd69 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T06:32:17Z |
| publishDate | 2010-05-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-74a53188f8b346888e74404474f8cd692022-12-21T23:13:29ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242010-05-0110104795480710.5194/acp-10-4795-2010CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locationsB. ErvensM. J. CubisonE. AndrewsG. FeingoldJ. A. OgrenJ. L. JimenezP. K. QuinnT. S. BatesJ. WangQ. ZhangH. CoeM. FlynnJ. D. AllanAn accurate but simple quantification of the fraction of aerosol particles that can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is needed for implementation in large-scale models. Data on aerosol size distribution, chemical composition, and CCN concentration from six different locations have been analyzed to explore the extent to which simple assumptions of composition and mixing state of the organic fraction can reproduce measured CCN number concentrations. <br><br> Fresher pollution aerosol as encountered in Riverside, CA, and the ship channel in Houston, TX, cannot be represented without knowledge of more complex (size-resolved) composition. For aerosol that has experienced processing (Mexico City, Holme Moss (UK), Point Reyes (CA), and Chebogue Point (Canada)), CCN can be predicted within a factor of two assuming either externally or internally mixed soluble organics although these simplified compositions/mixing states might not represent the actual properties of ambient aerosol populations, in agreement with many previous CCN studies in the literature. Under typical conditions, a factor of two uncertainty in CCN concentration due to composition assumptions translates to an uncertainty of ~15% in cloud drop concentration, which might be adequate for large-scale models given the much larger uncertainty in cloudiness.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/10/4795/2010/acp-10-4795-2010.pdf |
| spellingShingle | B. Ervens M. J. Cubison E. Andrews G. Feingold J. A. Ogren J. L. Jimenez P. K. Quinn T. S. Bates J. Wang Q. Zhang H. Coe M. Flynn J. D. Allan CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| title | CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations |
| title_full | CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations |
| title_fullStr | CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations |
| title_full_unstemmed | CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations |
| title_short | CCN predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state: a synthesis from six different locations |
| title_sort | ccn predictions using simplified assumptions of organic aerosol composition and mixing state a synthesis from six different locations |
| url | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/10/4795/2010/acp-10-4795-2010.pdf |
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