ACI-AMS

Determining how the chemical and physical properties of single aerosol particles affect their cloud forming potential

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This proposal aims to address uncertainties on the interactions between aerosol particles and cloud droplets. One of the unique and exceptional aspects of the proposed work is that these measurements will not only provide information on the interactions between aerosol particles and cloud droplets in the planetary boundary layer but also in the free troposphere. The Laboratoire de Météorologie Physique UBP/CNRS at the University Blaise Pascal, Clermont Ferrand is exceptionally experienced in the field of atmospheric science and their expertise encompasses both experimental and theoretical approaches. Dr. Freney is an outstanding young scientist that has a truly global research record. She graduated from her undergraduate degree in 2002 at Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland. She traveled to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland to carry out her PhD on the ‘Applications and evaluations of an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer’ and graduated in June 2006. During her postdoctoral research Dr. Freney explored different instrumental methods to understand and examine atmospheric particles at Arizona State University, USA. During this time she used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and state of the art environmental TEM (ETEM) and also gained a detailed knowledge of the complex dependencies of particle hygroscopicity on particle composition, size, and mixing state. Dr. Freney is an excellent match for the proposed project and it will provide her with the opportunity to carry out research in Europe. It is in Dr. Freney's best interests to remain in France and for that reason the holding of the marie curie reintegration grant will provide her with an exceptional stepping stone from temporary postdoctoral positions to a permanent research positions such as those from the center of national research science or Maitre de Conference positions.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A recent research project at a French atmospheric observatory has shed light on the interactions between aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere and upper troposphere.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Cloud formation is a key component of global weather cycles, and thus has a major influence on climate change. However, there is little scientific understanding of how aerosols in the atmosphere affect this process.

To address this scientific question, the EU-funded ACI-AMS project sent a researcher to Puy de Dome, a weather station in France. This is the only site in Europe with instruments capable of measuring the height of the planetary or atmospheric boundary layer.

ACI-AMS completed two periods of observation at Puy de Dome. It measured aerosol hygroscopic and cloud nucleating properties, as well as the size, distribution and chemical makeup of aerosols.

Cloud events that took place during the periods of observation were used to better understand interactions between aerosols and cloud formation. Researchers then assessed the implications of these interactions on the atmosphere and on climate change in general.

Findings from ACI-AMS were presented at several distinguished conferences and atmospheric science meetings. The results contribute to scientists' understanding of the atmosphere and how human activity affects it.