Sea spray aerosol as a unique source of ice nucleating particles

Ice nucleating particles (INPs) are vital for ice initiation in, and precipitation from, mixed-phase clouds. A source of INPs from oceans within sea spray aerosol (SSA) emissions has been suggested in previous studies but remained unconfirmed. Here, we show that INPs are emitted using real wave breaking in a laboratory flume to produce SSA. The number concentrations of INPs from laboratory-generated SSA, when normalized to typical total aerosol number concentrations in the marine boundary layer, agree well with measurements from diverse regions over the oceans. Data in the present study are also in accord with previously published INP measurements made over remote ocean regions. INP number concentrations…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: ATM0548036, ATM0841542, ATM0841602, AGS1034858, AGS0936879, AGS1121915, CHE1305427, AGS1036028, AGS1358495
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: DE-SC00112704
• KP
  Korea Polar Research Institute

  Award: PE13410