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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/9/20347/2009/
doi:10.5194/acpd-9-20347-2009
© Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Composition of cirrus-forming aerosols at the tropical tropopause
1NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, Boulder, CO, USA
2Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
3SPEC Incorporated, Boulder, CO, USA
4Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
5Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
Abstract. The composition of residual particles from evaporated cirrus ice crystals near the tropical tropopause as well as unfrozen aerosols were measured with a single particle mass spectrometer. Subvisible cirrus residuals were predominantly composed of internal mixtures of neutralized sulfate with organic material and were chemically indistinguishable from unfrozen sulfate-organic aerosols. Ice residuals were also similar in size to unfrozen aerosol. Heterogeneous ice nuclei such as mineral dust were not enhanced in these subvisible cirrus residuals. Biomass burning particles were depleted in the residuals. Cloud probe measurements showing low cirrus ice crystal number concentrations were inconsistent with conventional homogeneous freezing. Recent laboratory studies provide heterogeneous nucleation scenarios that may explain tropopause level subvisible cirrus formation.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 768 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (ACP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Froyd, K. D., Murphy, D. M., Lawson, P., Baumgardner, D., and Herman, R. L.: Composition of cirrus-forming aerosols at the tropical tropopause, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 9, 20347-20369, doi:10.5194/acpd-9-20347-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
