The dependence of arctic mixed phase stratus ice cloud microphysics on aerosol concentration using observations acquired during ISDAC and M-PACE

Jackson, Robert

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Description

Title

The dependence of arctic mixed phase stratus ice cloud microphysics on aerosol concentration using observations acquired during ISDAC and M-PACE

Author(s)

Jackson, Robert

Issue Date

2012-02-06T20:14:05Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

McFarquhar, Greg M.

Department of Study

Atmospheric Sciences

Discipline

Atmospheric Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Cloud Microphysics
• Arctic Clouds
• Meteorology
• Aerosol
• Aerosol Indirect Effects
• Mixed Phase Clouds

Abstract

Data acquired by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Convair-580, equipped with cloud and aerosol probes during 5 sorties through single-layer arctic stratocumulus on 8 April, 18 April, and 26 April 2008 during the Indirect and Semi Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC) and by the University of North Dakota Citation on 4 sorties on 9, 10 and 12 October 2004 during the Mixed Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (M-PACE) were used to test three aerosol indirect effects hypothesized to act in mixed phase clouds: the riming indirect effect, the glaciation indirect effect, and the cold second indirect effect. By comparing liquid and ice particle size distributions (SDs) measured by different probes and by conducting mass closure tests where masses derived from size and shape distributions are compared against mass contents measured by bulk probes, a best estimate of the number concentration of water (Nl) and ice particles (Ni), liquid (Nl(D)) and ice crystal (Ni(D)) SDs, liquid effective radius rel, and liquid (LWC) and ice water content (IWC). For the ISDAC cases, the cloud properties were then examined as a function of ambient accumulation mode aerosol concentrations Na above and below the cloud measured by a Passive Cavity Aerosol Spectrometer Probe (PCASP), cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations from a CCN counter, and ice nuclei (IN) concentrations from a Continuous Flow Diffusion Chamber (CFDC). The data showed a positive correlation of 0.77 between Nl inside cloud and Na below cloud. This, combined with an increase of LWC with height above cloud base and the nearly constant profile of Nl, showed that liquid drops were likely nucleated from aerosol at cloud base. No strong correlation between in cloud IWC and Na above or below cloud was seen, indicating no evidence of a riming indirect effect for the ISDAC single-layer stratus. A strong correlation of 0.69 between Ni and aerosol concentration above cloud was noted. Provided that IN increases with NPCASP above cloud, this combined with the subadiabatic profiles of LWC, suggests possible mixing of aerosol and IN from cloud top consistent with the glaciation indirect effect. Because only 5 sorties sampled single-layer stratus with a rather limited range of Na during ISDAC, the ISDAC cloud properties were compared against those measured during the more pristine fall season during M-PACE. The higher Ni and lower rel observed for the more polluted ISDAC cases is consistent with the operation of the cold second indirect effect. However, it was unknown how the larger LWCs observed during M-PACE, likely associated with the prevalence of open water, affected the ice cloud properties. Future model studies, initialized with combinations of ISDAC and M-PACE surface and aerosol conditions, and evaluated against observations should be performed to isolate the roles of aerosol, meteorological and surface forcing.

Graduation Semester

2011-12

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Copyright 2011 Robert Jackson

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