Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006georl..3308806k&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 33, Issue 8, CiteID L08806
Physics
17
Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Aerosols And Particles (0345, 4801, 4906), Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Cloud Physics And Chemistry, Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Troposphere: Composition And Chemistry, Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Troposphere: Constituent Transport And Chemistry
Scientific paper
Nitric acid (HNO3) in cirrus ice crystals has been measured in the last decade during airborne field campaigns at latitudes 53°S-68°N. The HNO3 content in ice crystals, expressed in terms of HNO3/H2O molar ratio, and the fraction of HNO3 in ice derived from those measurements exhibit a clear upward trend with decreasing temperature. The observations are explained by a novel model describing dissolution of HNO3 in liquid aerosol particles serving as freezing nuclei and subsequent trapping of HNO3 during ice crystal growth. The efficiency of trapping increases with decreasing temperature. Efficient trapping occurs via diffusional burial of the ambient HNO3 below about 203 K, because of long residence times of HNO3 molecules at the ice surface. This opens the possibility for HNO3-induced modifications of processes affecting ice crystal growth. At warmer temperatures, molecular processes in the ice surface layer cause an increasingly rapid escape of adsorbed HNO3 into the gas phase and render trapping less efficient despite faster ice growth rates.
Kärcher Bernd
Voigt Christian
No associations
LandOfFree
Formation of nitric acid/water ice particles in cirrus clouds does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Formation of nitric acid/water ice particles in cirrus clouds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Formation of nitric acid/water ice particles in cirrus clouds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1499630