HOVERCAT: a novel aerial system for evaluation of aerosol–cloud interactions

Autor: J. M. Creamean, K. M. Primm, M. A. Tolbert, E. G. Hall, J. Wendell, A. Jordan, P. J. Sheridan, J. Smith, R. C. Schnell
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 11, Pp 3969-3985 (2018)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1867-1381
1867-8548
DOI: 10.5194/amt-11-3969-2018
Popis: Aerosols have a profound impact on cloud microphysics through their ability to serve as ice nucleating particles (INPs). As a result, cloud radiative properties and precipitation processes can be modulated by such aerosol–cloud interactions. However, one of the largest uncertainties associated with atmospheric processes is the indirect effect of aerosols on clouds. The need for more advanced observations of INPs in the atmospheric vertical profile is apparent, yet most ice nucleation measurements are conducted on the ground or during infrequent and intensive airborne field campaigns. Here, we describe a novel measurement platform that is less expensive and smaller (−3 at 2 particles were ice nucleation active in the immersion mode (at −23 °C). The warmest temperature immersion and deposition mode INPs (observed up to −6 and −40.4 °C, respectively) were observed closest to the ground, but overall INP concentrations did not exhibit an inverse correlation with increasing altitude. HOVERCAT is a prototype that can be further modified for other airborne platforms, including tethered balloon and unmanned aircraft systems. The versatility of HOVERCAT affords future opportunities to profile the atmospheric column for more comprehensive evaluations of aerosol–cloud interactions. Based on our test flight experiences, we provide a set of recommendations for future deployments of similar measurement systems and platforms.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
Externí odkaz:
Nepřihlášeným uživatelům se plný text nezobrazuje