Global atmospheric particle formation from CERN CLOUD measurements

Fundamental questions remain about the origin of newly formed atmospheric aerosol particles because data from laboratory measurements have been insufficient to build global models. In contrast, gas-phase chemistry models have been based on laboratory kinetics measurements for decades. We built a global model of aerosol formation by using extensive laboratory measurements of rates of nucleation involving sulfuric acid, ammonia, ions, and organic compounds conducted in the CERN CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets) chamber. The simulations and a comparison with atmospheric observations show that nearly all nucleation throughout the present-day atmosphere involves ammonia or biogenic organic compounds, in…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: AGC1439551, AGS1136479, AGS1447056, CHE1012293
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: DE-SC0014469
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: NE/J024252/1
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
• RF
  Russian Foundation for Basic Research

  Awards: 08-02-91006-CERN, 12-02-91522-CERN
• AO
  Academy of Finland
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

  Awards: 01LK1222A, 01LK0902A
• AS
  Austrian Science Fund
• T
  Tekes
• MJ
  Maj ja Tor Nesslingin Säätiö
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet

  Award: 2011-5120
• SF
  Seventh Framework Programme

  Award: FP7-ENV- 2010-265148
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Awards: EP/K000225/1, EP/K000225/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/J024252/1, NE/J024252/1
• ER
  European Research Council

  Award: 227463
• FP
  Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
• RA
  Russian Academy of Sciences