Ice-nucleating particles in a coastal tropical site

• Published in: Atmospheric chemistry and physics 2019-05, Vol.19 (9), p.6147-6165
• Main Authors: Ladino, Luis A, Raga, Graciela B, Alvarez-Ospina, Harry, Andino-Enriquez, Manuel A, Rosas, Irma, Martinez, Leticia, Salinas, Eva, Miranda, Javier, Ramirez-Diaz, Zyanya, Figueroa, Bernardo, Chou, Cedric, Bertram, Allan K, Quintana, Erika T, Maldonado, Luis A, Garcia-Reynoso, Agustin, Si, Meng, Irish, Victoria E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol concentrations; Aerosol particles; Aerosols; Air masses; Analysis; Atmospheric aerosols; Atmospheric models; Atmospheric nucleation; Atmospheric particulates; Atmospheric physics; Climate; Climate and weather; Climate models; Cloud formation; Clouds; Clouds (Meteorology); Coastal environments; Cold front; Cold fronts; Dust particles; Dust storms; Freezing; Freezing temperatures; Fronts; Hydrologic cycle; Hydrologic models; Hydrological cycle; Hydrology; Ice; Ice formation; Ice nucleation; Marine aerosols; Nucleation; Oceans; Sisal; Submerging; Tropical atmosphere; Tropical climate; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Weather; Weather forecasting
• ISSN: 1680-7324; 1680-7316; 1680-7324
• DOI: 10.5194/acp-19-6147-2019

Atmospheric aerosol particles that can nucleate ice are referred to as ice-nucleating particles (INPs). Recent studies have confirmed that aerosol particles emitted by the oceans can act as INPs. This very relevant information can be included in climate and weather models to predict the formation of ice in clouds, given that most of them do not consider oceans as a source of INPs. Very few studies that sample INPs have been carried out in tropical latitudes, and there is a need to evaluate their availability to understand the potential role that marine aerosol may play in the hydrological cycle of tropical regions.