Development of a cloud condensation nuclei(CCN)counter using a laser and charge-coupled device(CCD)camera

A continuous flow streamwise thermal gradientcloud condensation nuclei(CCN)counter with anaerosol focusing and a laser-charge-coupled device(CCD)camera detector system was developed here.The countingperformance of the laser-CCD camera detector system wasevaluated by comparing its measured number concentrationswith those measured with a condensation particlecounter(CPC)using polystyrene latex(PSL)and NaClparticles of varying sizes.The CCD camera parameters(e.g.brightness,gain,gamma,and exposure time)wereoptimized to detect moving particles in the sensing volumeand to provide the best image to count them.The CCNcounter worked well in the particle number concentrationrange of 0.6-8000#·cm^(-3)and the minimum detectablesize was found to be 0.5μm.The supersaturation in theCCN counter with varying temperature difference wasdetermined by using size-selected sodium chloride particlesbased on Köhler equation.The developed CCNcounter was applied to investigate CCN activity ofatmospheric ultrafine particles at 0.5%supersaturation.Data showed that CCN activity increased with increasingparticle size and that the higher CCN activation forultrafine particles occurred in the afternoon,suggesting thesignificant existence of hygroscopic or soluble species inphotochemically-produced ultrafine particles.

The effects of giant cloud condensation nuclei on the structure of precipitation in hailstorm clouds

The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) has been used to investigate the effects of varied giant cloud condensation nuclei (GCCN) concentrations on precipitation characteristics of the spring hailstorms in a semi-arid region. The simulation result shows that this variation has significant effects on the storm microphysical processes as well as on the surface precipitation. The coverage of hail and hail mixing ratio maxima in cloud increases with greater GCCN concentrations. The accumulation zone structure benefits the growth of hail particles. Higher GCCN concentrations lead to more supercooled rain water and cloud water available for freezing. This simulation also shows that increasing GCCN concentrations may produce more rainfall on the surface but less hail precipitation, and the total accumulated precipitation increases while the ice phase precipitation decreases. This effect is stronger in polluted air than in clean air. The surface flow field changes with different GCCN concentrations. The identification index of spring hailstorm is different from that of summer hailstorm with a different aerosol background.

Observations of Cloud Condensation Nuclei in North China

Using a DMT （Droplet Measurement Technologies） continuous flow streamwise thermal gradient cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） counter mounted on a Cheyenne IIIA aircraft, about 20 flights for aircraft mea- surements of CCN over North China were conducted in the autumn of 2005 and spring of 2006. According to the design for aircraft observation, the method of spiral ascent or descent in the troposphere was used for the vertical measurement of CCN, and some certain levels were chosen for horizontal measurement. The vertical distributions of CCN concentrations show that most CCN particles are concentrated in the low level of troposphere and CCN concentration decreased with height increasing. It suggests that the main source of CCN is from the surface. This result is consistent with former studies during 1983-1985 in China with a static thermal gradient CCN counter. The comparison of vertical observations between polluted rural area near Shijiazhuang and non-polluted rural area near Zhangjiakou shows that there is about five times difference in CCN concentration. But over two polluted cities, Shijiazhuang and Handan, there is no notable difference in CCN concentration. The horizontal flight measurements for penetrating the cumulus clouds experiment show the apparent decrease of CCN in clouds. It confirms that cloud has a definite consumptive effect on CCN particles because some CCN particles can form cloud droplets. The surface measurements of CCN in Shijiazhuang City were made during June-August 2005. The statistical CCN data show the great difference in concentration at the same supersaturation （S） in Shijiazhuang summertime. The minimum CCN concentrations were 584, 808, and 2431 cm-3, and the maximum concentrations were 9495, 16332, and 21812 cm-3 at S=0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively. CCN has a diurnal variation cycle. From 0600 BT, the concentration began to increase and reached the maximum at about noon. Then it generally decreased throughout the afternoon. The reason maybe is related to the onset of emissions from vehicular traffic in the morning followed by the photochemical production of secondary organics that condense on the primary particles. The precipitation has an obvious scavenging effect on CCN particles. With the increase of rainfall rate, the CCN concentrations decrease quickly. The high surface CCN concentrations in Shijiazhuang should be related to the serious air pollution and then influenced by anthropogenic sources. According to the expression N = CS^k, the CCN spectra can be derived. The fitted spectral parameters of C （more than 1000） and k （about 0.7） show that they are classified to the continental CCN in North China.

Marine biogenic aerosols and their effects on aerosol-cloud interactions over the Southern Ocean:a review

The Southern Ocean(SO)plays an important role in the global climate system.Changes in SO biogeochemistry and marine ecosystems may influence the distribution of atmospheric aerosols and clouds and impact the climate system.We reviewed current knowledge on the interactions between marine aerosols and clouds over the SO.We focused on marine primary and secondary organic aerosols and summarized their characteristics,processes and roles as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei.We described in detail the interactions between the marine ecosystem,aerosols and clouds.We discussed marine productivity,formation of marine biogenic aerosols and interactions between aerosols,clouds and climate.We explored the impact of climate change on SO marine ecosystem productivity and aerosol-cloud-climate feedback.Marine biogenic aerosols could impact the radiation budget and oceanic low-level clouds over the SO.This study contributes towards an improved understanding of marine productivity,aerosol-cloud interactions and climate change in the SO.The SO may respond to climate change in varying degrees.More studies are urgently needed to support accurate forecasts of future changes in the SO.

Key features of new particle formation events at background sites in China and their influence on cloud condensation nuclei

Long-term continuous measurements of particle number size distributions with mobility diameter sizes ranging from 3 to 800 nm were pertbrmed to study new particle formation （NPF） events at Shangdianzi （SDZ）, Mt. Tai （TS）, and Lin＇an （LAN） stations representing the background atmospheric conditions in the North China Plain （NCP） Central East China （CEC） and Yangtze River Delta （YRD） regions, respectively. The mean formation rate of 3-nm particles was 6.3, 3.7, and 5.8 cm -3 .s-1, and the mean particle growth rate was 3.6, 6.0, and 6.2 nm. h at SDZ, TS, and LAN, respectively. The NPF, event characteristics at the three sites indicate that there may be a stronger source of low volatile vapors and higher condensational sink of pre-existing particles in the YRD region. The formation rate of NPF events at these sites, as well as the condensation sink, is approximately 10 times higher than some results reported at rural/urban sites in western countries. However, the growth rates appear to be 1 2 times higher. Approximately 12%-17% of all NPF events with nucleated particles grow to a climate- relevant size （〉50 nm）. These kinds of NPF events were normally observed with higher growth rate than the other NPF cases. Generally, the cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） number concentration can be enhanced by approximately a factor of 2 6 on these event days. The mean value of the enhancement factor is lowest at LAN （2-3） and highest at SDZ （-4）. NPF events have also been found to have greater impact on CCN production in China at the regional scale than in the other background sites worldwide.

Weathering the Storm: Mitigating Hurricanes with Ground-Based CCN and Lightning

This research introduces a groundbreaking methodology aimed at mitigating storm and hurricane intensity through the application of a ground-based, manually operated Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) Generator. To meet the demand for more comprehensive context and rationale, this study explores the escalating challenges presented by the growing intensity of hurricanes, exemplified by Hurricane IAN (2022). The controlled release of environmentally friendly aerosols into the atmosphere, achieved by combusting selected wood pieces and organic edible materials, is a pivotal response to the escalating threat of extreme weather events. By generating CCN, the novel approach seeks to augment positive lightning in the eyewall, providing a potential solution to the intensification of hurricanes. Results illustrate the successful implementation of the methodology, with released aerosols effectively reaching the clouds for seeding, thus contributing to the modification of convection in the outer wall of Hurricane IAN and consequent intensity reduction. Rigorous experiments, incorporating considerations of various parameters such as wind patterns and the experimental location in Sarasota City, emphasize the scientific rigor applied to weakening Hurricane IAN. This comprehensive approach not only holds promise in mitigating hurricane intensity but also sheds light on the potential impact of cloud seeding in reducing the severity of future hurricanes, addressing a critical need for sustainable solutions to climate-related challenges.

Modeling Marine Stratocumulus with a Detailed Microphysical Scheme

A one-dimensional 3rd-order turbulence closure model with size-resolved microphysics and radiative transfer has been developed for investigating aerosol and cloud interactions of the stratocumulus-topped marine boundary layer. A new method is presented for coupling between the dynamical model and the microphysical model. This scheme allows the liquid water related correlations to be directly calculated rather than parameterized. On 21 April 2001, a marine stratocumulus was observed by the Caesar aircraft over the west Pacific Rim south of Japan during the 2001 APEX/ACE-Asia field measurements. This cloud is simulated by the model we present here. The model results show that the general features of the stratocumulus-topped marine boundary layer predicted by the model are in agreement with the measurements. A new onboard cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) counter provides not only total CCN number concentration (as the traditional CCN counters do at a certain supersaturation) but also the CCN size distribution information. Using these CCN data, model responses to different CCN initial concentrations are examined. The model results are consistent with both observations and expectations. The numerical results show that the cloud microphysical properties are changed fundamentally by different initial CCN concentrations but the cloud liquid water content does not differ significantly. Different initial CCN loadings have large impacts on the evolution of cloud microstructure and radiation transfer while they have a modest effect on thermodynamics. Increased CCN concentration leads to significant decrease of cloud effective radius.

ON ICE FORMING NUCLEI

Cloud condensation nuclei(CCN)constitute a reservoir of latent ice-forming nuclei(IFN)active by conden sation-followed-by-freezing and by sorption.Two classes of aerosol particles active as IFN by sorption were found.The first produces IFN concentrations which are dependent on temperature only.The IFN concen- tration consecutively increases with lowering of temperature and does not respond to the increasing partial water vapor pressure.The second produces IFN concentrations which are dependent on partial water vapor pressure only,The IFN concentration consecutively decreases with decreasing of the partial water vapor pres- sure that takes place with the lowering temperature. Sulfates(mostly ammonium sulfate)constitute an integral part of IFN active by condensation-followed-by- freezing and by sorption.Backward isentropic air parcel trajectories linked polluted air rich in sulfates and clean air with high and low concentrations of IFN active by condensation-followed-by-freezing at-19.7℃ and S_w=0.1%. The experiments were performed in a dynamic filter processing chamber with aerosol particles collected on membrane filters.

A preliminary study on measurements of black carbon in the atmosphere of northwest Qilian Shan

Black carbon （BC） concentration and meteorological data are measured discontinuously from May 2009 to March 2011,at the Qilian Shan Station of Glaciology and Ecologic Environment （hereafter ＂QSSGEE＂）,located near the terminal of the Laohugou No.12 Glacier in northwestern Qilian Shan,China.We measured the daily,monthly and seasonal variations of BC concentration in the atmosphere and discussed the possible emission sources.Black carbon background concentration in this region varied in the range of 18–72 ng/m 3 with the highest in summer and the lowest in autumn.The relations between BC concentration and surface wind direction indicated that BC concentration was higher when northwest wind prevails while lower when southeast wind prevails.Air masses backward trajectories showed the potential emission sources in the northwest.Significant positive correlations between daily mean BC concentration and relative humidity indicated that BC might be one of important cloud condensation nuclei.This hypothesis needs to be confirmed further through cloud microphysical features in this region.

Global sources, emissions, transport and deposition of dust and sand and their effects on the climate and environment： a review

Dust and Sand Storms （DSS） originating in deserts in arid and semi-arid regions are events raising global public concern. An important component of atmospheric aerosols, dust aerosols play a key role in climatic and environmental changes at the regional and the global scale. Deserts and semi-deserts are the main source of dust and sand, but regions that undergo vegetation deterioration and desertification due to climate change and human activities also contribute significantly to DSS. Dust aerosols are mainly composed of dust particles with an average diameter of 2 l.tm, which can be transported over thousands of kilometers. Dust aerosols influence the radiation budget of the earth- atmosphere system by scattering solar short-wave radiation and absorbing surface long-wave radiation. They can also change albedo and rainfall patterns because they can act as cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） or ice nuclei （IN）. Dust deposition is an important source of both marine nutrients and contaminants. Dust aerosols that enter marine ecosystems after long-distance transport influence phytoplankton biomass in the oceans, and thus global climate by altering the amount of CO2 absorbed by phytoplankton. In addition, the carbonates carried by dust aerosols are an important source of carbon for the alkaline carbon pool, which can buffer atmospheric acidity and increase the alkalinity of seawater. DSS have both positive and negative impacts on human society： they can exert adverse impacts on human＇s living environment, but can also contribute to the mitigation of global warming and the reduction of atmospheric acidity.

Characteristics of Aerosol Activation Efficiency and Aerosol and CCN Vertical Distributions in North China

By analyzing airborne observations over North China from 30 flights during spring and autumn of 2005-2007, characteristics of the vertical distributions of aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei （CCN） at 0.3% supersaturation in various locations of North China are investigated. The measurement samplings were conducted over different surfaces such as plains, plateau, and sea. The results show that the number concentration of accumulation mode aerosols was greater in autumn than in spring, but the reverse is true for CCN. This means that more aerosols with diameters smaller than 100 nm could be activated as CCN in spring, and this could induce higher aerosol activation efficiency. The aerosol activation efficiency over the plains near the Taihang Mountain was greater in spring than in autumn, and it was greater over sea than over land. The aerosol activation efficiency above the boundary layer over the Bashang Plateau was very low. Based on a fit of the negative exponential vertical distributions of aerosol and CCN, a spatial parameterization model of aerosol and CCN as well as aerosol activation efficiency over North China was proposed. The results show that aerosol activation efficiency was not clearly dependent on altitude because it was mainly affected by regional physical and chemical characteristics of aerosols and the ambient atmospheric conditions. The mean aerosol activation efficiency is 0.66, with values of 0.70 and 0.53 in spring and autumn, respectively.

Applying the WRF Double-Moment Six-Class Microphysics Scheme in the GRAPES_Meso Model： A Case Study

This study incorporated the Weather Research and Forecasting（WRF） model double-moment 6-class（WDM6） microphysics scheme into the mesoscale version of the Global/Regional Assimilation and Pr Ediction System（GRAPES_Meso）. A rainfall event that occurred during 3–5 June 2015 around Beijing was simulated by using the WDM6, the WRF single-moment 6-class scheme（WSM6）, and the NCEP 5-class scheme, respectively. The results show that both the distribution and magnitude of the rainfall simulated with WDM6 were more consistent with the observation. Compared with WDM6, WSM6 simulated larger cloud liquid water content, which provided more water vapor for graupel growth, leading to increased precipitation in the cold-rain processes. For areas with the warmrain processes, the sensitivity experiments using WDM6 showed that an increase in cloud condensation nuclei（CCN）number concentration led to enhanced CCN activation ratio and larger cloud droplet number concentration（Nc） but decreased cloud droplet effective diameter. The formation of more small-size cloud droplets resulted in a decrease in raindrop number concentration（Nr）, inhibiting the warm-rain processes, thus gradually decreasing the amount of precipitation. For areas mainly with the cold-rain processes, the overall amount of precipitation increased; however, it gradually decreased when the CCN number concentration reached a certain magnitude. Hence, the effect of CCN number concentration on precipitation exhibits significant differences in different rainfall areas of the same precipitation event.