High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks

<p>The global variation in ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentrations is an important modulator of the cloud-phase feedback, where the albedo of mixed-phase clouds increases in a warming climate. Shallow clouds, such as those observed in cold-air outbreaks (CAOs), are particularly important...

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Main Authors: E. N. Raif, S. L. Barr, M. D. Tarn, J. B. McQuaid, M. I. Daily, S. J. Abel, P. A. Barrett, K. N. Bower, P. R. Field, K. S. Carslaw, B. J. Murray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Online Access:https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/24/14045/2024/acp-24-14045-2024.pdf
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author E. N. Raif
S. L. Barr
S. L. Barr
M. D. Tarn
J. B. McQuaid
M. I. Daily
S. J. Abel
P. A. Barrett
K. N. Bower
P. R. Field
P. R. Field
K. S. Carslaw
B. J. Murray
author_facet E. N. Raif
S. L. Barr
S. L. Barr
M. D. Tarn
J. B. McQuaid
M. I. Daily
S. J. Abel
P. A. Barrett
K. N. Bower
P. R. Field
P. R. Field
K. S. Carslaw
B. J. Murray
author_sort E. N. Raif
collection DOAJ
description <p>The global variation in ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentrations is an important modulator of the cloud-phase feedback, where the albedo of mixed-phase clouds increases in a warming climate. Shallow clouds, such as those observed in cold-air outbreaks (CAOs), are particularly important for cloud-phase feedbacks and highly sensitive to INPs. To investigate the sources and concentrations of INPs in CAOs, we made airborne measurements over the Norwegian and Barents seas as part of the March 2022 Arctic Cold-Air Outbreak (ACAO) field campaign. Aerosol samples were collected on filters at locations above, below and upstream of CAO cloud decks. Throughout the campaign, INP concentrations were comparable to the highest concentrations previously observed in the Arctic. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of samples taken upstream of cloud decks showed that supermicron aerosol was dominated by mineral dusts. Analysis of aerosol particle size measurements to obtain an INP active site density suggested sea spray was unlikely to be the dominant INP type. These site densities were also too great for mineral components alone to be the dominant INP type above <span class="inline-formula">−</span>20 °C. Accordingly, it is likely that the dominant INP type was mineral dust mixed with other ice-nucleating materials, possibly of biogenic origin. Back-trajectory analysis and meteorological conditions suggested a lack of local INP sources. We therefore hypothesise that the high INP concentration is most likely to be associated with aged aerosol in Arctic haze that has undergone long-range transport from lower-latitude regions.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-a3af0898fb5b46afb9f9c7c796db15732024-12-17T17:29:14ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242024-12-0124140451407210.5194/acp-24-14045-2024High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaksE. N. Raif0S. L. Barr1S. L. Barr2M. D. Tarn3J. B. McQuaid4M. I. Daily5S. J. Abel6P. A. Barrett7K. N. Bower8P. R. Field9P. R. Field10K. S. Carslaw11B. J. Murray12Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKNational Centre for Atmospheric Science, Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9PH, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKMet Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, UKMet Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, UKAtmospheric Science Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKMet Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UKInstitute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK<p>The global variation in ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentrations is an important modulator of the cloud-phase feedback, where the albedo of mixed-phase clouds increases in a warming climate. Shallow clouds, such as those observed in cold-air outbreaks (CAOs), are particularly important for cloud-phase feedbacks and highly sensitive to INPs. To investigate the sources and concentrations of INPs in CAOs, we made airborne measurements over the Norwegian and Barents seas as part of the March 2022 Arctic Cold-Air Outbreak (ACAO) field campaign. Aerosol samples were collected on filters at locations above, below and upstream of CAO cloud decks. Throughout the campaign, INP concentrations were comparable to the highest concentrations previously observed in the Arctic. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of samples taken upstream of cloud decks showed that supermicron aerosol was dominated by mineral dusts. Analysis of aerosol particle size measurements to obtain an INP active site density suggested sea spray was unlikely to be the dominant INP type. These site densities were also too great for mineral components alone to be the dominant INP type above <span class="inline-formula">−</span>20 °C. Accordingly, it is likely that the dominant INP type was mineral dust mixed with other ice-nucleating materials, possibly of biogenic origin. Back-trajectory analysis and meteorological conditions suggested a lack of local INP sources. We therefore hypothesise that the high INP concentration is most likely to be associated with aged aerosol in Arctic haze that has undergone long-range transport from lower-latitude regions.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/24/14045/2024/acp-24-14045-2024.pdf
spellingShingle E. N. Raif
S. L. Barr
S. L. Barr
M. D. Tarn
J. B. McQuaid
M. I. Daily
S. J. Abel
P. A. Barrett
K. N. Bower
P. R. Field
P. R. Field
K. S. Carslaw
B. J. Murray
High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
title High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
title_full High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
title_fullStr High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
title_full_unstemmed High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
title_short High ice-nucleating particle concentrations associated with Arctic haze in springtime cold-air outbreaks
title_sort high ice nucleating particle concentrations associated with arctic haze in springtime cold air outbreaks
url https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/24/14045/2024/acp-24-14045-2024.pdf
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