Heterogeneous nucleation of ice on anthropogenic organic particles collected in Mexico City

This study reports on heterogeneous ice nucleation activity of predominantly organic (or coated with organic material) anthropogenic particles sampled within and around the polluted environment of Mexico City. The onset of heterogeneous ice nucleation was observed as a function of particle temperatu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2010-06, Vol.37 (11), p.n/a
Main Authors: Knopf, D. A., Wang, B., Laskin, A., Moffet, R. C., Gilles, M. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
54
Aerosol, ice nucleation, scanning transmission x-ray microscopy
Aerosols
Air pollution
Anthropogenic factors
Atmosphere
Atmospheric aerosols
Atmospheric sciences
Atmospherics
Chemistry
cirrus clouds
Climate change
Clouds
Earth
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fine structure
Geophysics
Ice
ice nucleation
Nucleation
Photochemicals
Physics
Relative humidity
Scanning electron microscopy
secondary organic aerosol
Troposphere
X-rays
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Summary:This study reports on heterogeneous ice nucleation activity of predominantly organic (or coated with organic material) anthropogenic particles sampled within and around the polluted environment of Mexico City. The onset of heterogeneous ice nucleation was observed as a function of particle temperature (Tp), relative humidity (RH), nucleation mode, and particle chemical composition which is influenced by photochemical atmospheric aging. Particle analyses included computer controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis of X‐rays (CCSEM/EDX) and scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy with near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (STXM/NEXAFS). In contrast to most laboratory studies employing proxies of organic aerosol, we show that anthropogenic organic particles collected in Mexico City can potentially induce ice nucleation at experimental conditions relevant to cirrus formation. The results suggest a new precedent for the potential impact of organic particles on ice cloud formation and climate.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2010GL043362