Studies to Improve the Representation of Ice Nucleation in Models of the Arctic Climate
EMSL Project ID
48781
Abstract
The Arctic region has been shown to be especially sensitive to climate change. Ice and mixed-phase clouds play an important role in climate in this region. Nevertheless, regional and global climate models are unable to adequately represent Arctic clouds and the Arctic radiation budget. The inability of these models to reproduce the Arctic climate may be due to inadequate parameterizations of ice nucleation in this region. The proposed research will use unique capabilities developed at EMSL to determine the relative role of different types of atmospheric particles (e.g. mineral dust, black carbon and sea spray particles) in ice nucleation in the Arctic region. This information will lead to better parameterizations of ice nucleation in this region. The approach for determining the relative roles of different particles in ice nucleation in the Arctic will involve collecting samples in the Arctic using ground, ship and aircraft platforms followed by analysis using ice nuclei environmental scanning electron microscopy (IN-ESEM), computer controlled scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM/EDX) in parallel with a droplet freezing technique, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) together with advanced mass spectrometry techniques. The proposed research will be synergistic to other projects funded through the DOE and matches a priority topic listed by EMSL.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2015-10-01
End Date
2017-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Irish V.E., S. Hanna, M.D. Willis, S. China, J.L. Thomas, J.B. Wentzell, and A. Cirisan, et al. 2019. "Ice nucleating particles in the marine boundary layer in the Canadian Arctic during summer 2014." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 19, no. 2:1027-1039. PNNL-SA-138062. doi:10.5194/acp-19-1027-2019
Irish V.E., S. Hanna, M.D. Willis, S. China, J.L. Thomas, J.B. Wentzell, and A. Cirisan, et al. 2019. "Ice nucleating particles in the marine boundary layer in the Canadian Arctic during summer 2014." Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry 19, no. 2:1027-1039. PNNL-SA-138062. doi:10.5194/acp-19-1027-2019