The effect of surface morphology of aerosol particles on ice nucleation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19959
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 63010:Environmental dynamic analysis-related
• Research Institution: Japan, Meteorological Research Institute (2022-2023); Keio University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Iwata Ayumi 気象庁気象研究所, 気象予報研究部, 研究官 (30827340)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 氷晶形成 / 表面積 / 野外観測 / エアロゾル・雲相互作用 / 粒子化学成分

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To clarify the effect of particle surface area on the variations of the ice nucleation in the atmosphere, we conducted out the evaluation　of the uncertainty in the measurement of the particle surface area concentration of atmospheric particles, the investigation of the key factors that affect the concentration of ice nucleating particles at some observations, and the investigation the effect of mineral particle surface area on the ice nucleation by aircrfat observations.These results suggested that it is difficult to explain the variation of ice nucleation in the atmosphere by only particle physical properties. These results suggested that it is difficult to explain the variations of ice nucleation in the atmosphere by only particle physical properties. Meanwhile, this study suggested that they can only be explained at temperatures below approximately -20°C by the surface area of mineral particles.

Free Research Field

大気科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大気中の粒子を介した氷晶形成は、雲特性を変調させるために、気候変動予測やより高い分解能の気象予報において重要なプロセスであるものの、氷晶核粒子の挙動やその変動因子は十分に理解されておらず、これらの問題解決の障壁の一つとなっている。本研究の結果は、これらの氷晶形成に対して実大気中の表面積濃度における懸念点、粒子種とその物理特性の両方の重要性、さらにはその季節および地域的な違いを明らかにしたものであり、実大気中の氷晶核粒子の理解向上ならびに将来的な気候・気象予測精度向上に資する成果といえる。