Cloud albedo enhancement by surface-active organic solutes in growing droplets
Article Abstract:
An analysis of vacuum-evaporated samples of cloud water from the Po Valley, Italy, reveals a large fall in surface tension for realistic concentrations of organic solutes expected to be present in growing droplets. If these large surface-tension changes take place in cloud droplets near the critical size for nucleation, they cause a rise in droplet population and thus in cloud albedo. This finding must be considered against the background of all the other natural and anthropogenic factors could affect cloud albedo and promote climate forcing.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Reflections on aerosol cooling
Article Abstract:
The Earth is warming because of rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere because of human activities, which generates haze particles that scatter and absorb incoming sunlight, an effect known as 'aerosol direct radiative forcing' (ADRF). The strategy of using combination of global space based and surface based observations to constrain model estimates is a promising way of reducing the uncertainty in estimates of ADRF.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2005
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Biogenically driven organic contribution to marine aerosol
Article Abstract:
The physical and chemical characteristics of submicrometre marine aerosol over the North Atlantic Ocean during plankton blooms progressing from spring through to autumn are determined. Results reveal that during bloom periods, the organic fraction dominates and contributes 63 percent to the submicrometre aerosol mass.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2004
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Disposable-soma senescence mediated by sexual selection in an ungulate. Patterns of predation in a diverse predator-prey system
- Abstracts: Activity-dependent dynamics and sequestration of proteasomes in dendritic spines. ER-phagosme fusion defines an MHC class 1 cross-presentation compartment in dendritic cells
- Abstracts: Suppression of c-ras transformation by GTPase-activating protein. Survival pathways meet their end
- Abstracts: Interactive niches. A genetic melting-pot
- Abstracts: Development of cooperative relationships through increasing investment. Three-butterfly system provides a field test of mullerian mimicry