Biological enhancement of cloud droplet concentrations observed off East Antarctica

Journal Article · 19 March 2025 · npj Climate and Atmospheric Science

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-00990-5 · OSTI ID:2533572

Mallet, Marc D.; Miljevic, Branka; Humphries, Ruhi S.; Mace, Gerald G.; Alexander, Simon P.; Protat, Alain; Chambers, Scott; Cravigan, Luke; DeMott, Paul J.; Fiddes, Sonya; Harnwell, James; Keywood, Melita D.; McFarquhar, Greg M.; McRobert, Ian; Moore, Kathryn A.; Mynard, Caleb; Osuagwu, Chiemeriwo Godday; Ristovski, Zoran; Selleck, Paul; Taylor, Sally ; Ward, Jason; Williams, Alastair

Abstract The impact that biogenic emissions have on aerosol-cloud interactions across the Southern Ocean is poorly quantified. Here we use satellite and ship observations during austral summer to study these interactions. We present observational evidence that biogenic aerosols increase cloud condensation nuclei and cloud droplet number concentrations over the Southern Ocean off East Antarctica, coinciding with very low concentrations of ice-nucleating particles and higher occurrences of supercooled liquid-containing low-level clouds.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0018626; SC0018995
• OSTI ID: 2533572
• Journal Information: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, Journal Name: npj Climate and Atmospheric Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 8; ISSN 2397-3722
• Publisher: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English