Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
<p>The interactions that occur between aerosols and a mixed-phase cloud system, and the subsequent alteration of the microphysical state of such clouds, are a problem that has yet to be well constrained. Advancing our understanding of aerosol–ice processes is necessary to determine the impa...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-09-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/13345/2018/acp-18-13345-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>The interactions that occur between aerosols and a mixed-phase
cloud system, and the subsequent alteration of the microphysical state of
such clouds, are a problem that has yet to be well constrained. Advancing our
understanding of aerosol–ice processes is necessary to determine the impact
of natural and anthropogenic emissions on Earth's climate and to improve our
capability to predict future climate states. This paper deals specifically
with how aerosols influence ice mass production in low-level Arctic
mixed-phase clouds. In this study, a 9-year record of aerosol, cloud and
atmospheric state properties is used to quantify aerosol influence on ice
production in mixed-phase clouds. It is found that mixed-phase clouds present
in a clean aerosol state have higher ice water content (IWC) by a factor of 1.22 to
1.63 at cloud base than do similar clouds in cases with higher aerosol
loading. We additionally analyze radar-derived mean Doppler velocities to
better understand the drivers behind this relationship, and we conclude that
aerosol induced reduction of the ice crystal nucleation rate, together with
decreased riming rates in polluted clouds, are likely influences on the
observed reductions in IWC.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |