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...

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Main Authors: M. S. Norgren, G. de Boer, M. D. Shupe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018-09-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/13345/2018/acp-18-13345-2018.pdf
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author M. S. Norgren
G. de Boer
G. de Boer
M. D. Shupe
M. D. Shupe
author_facet M. S. Norgren
G. de Boer
G. de Boer
M. D. Shupe
M. D. Shupe
author_sort M. S. Norgren
collection DOAJ
description <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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spelling doaj.art-ce50dbd1e3cc4e78875b3992ab295d6a2022-12-22T00:49:32ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242018-09-0118133451336110.5194/acp-18-13345-2018Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase cloudsM. S. Norgren0G. de Boer1G. de Boer2M. D. Shupe3M. D. Shupe4Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USACooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USAPhysical Sciences Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USACooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USAPhysical Sciences Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USA<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>https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/13345/2018/acp-18-13345-2018.pdf
spellingShingle M. S. Norgren
G. de Boer
G. de Boer
M. D. Shupe
M. D. Shupe
Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
title_full Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
title_fullStr Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
title_full_unstemmed Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
title_short Observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low-level Arctic mixed-phase clouds
title_sort observed aerosol suppression of cloud ice in low level arctic mixed phase clouds
url https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/13345/2018/acp-18-13345-2018.pdf
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AT mdshupe observedaerosolsuppressionofcloudiceinlowlevelarcticmixedphaseclouds
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