Developments concerning the physical and chemical characterization of ice nucleating aerosol particles with HALO: High volume flow aerosol particle sampling system, automated freezing array, and analytical methods
Final Report Abstract
In the framework of the project, we dealt with the development and application of new techniques for the physio-chemical characterization of ice nucleating particles (INP). These particles are the base for the initial formation of ice crystals in clouds, and thereby influence cloud radiative properties, the formation of precipitation, and cloud lifetime. Cloud properties in turn are a key factor for the energy budget of the planetary boundary layer (PBL), which again is a key issue for an improved understanding to Global Warming. Hence, aerosol particles, and here especially INP, their chemical nature, sources and effects, and the changes they undergo in a changing climate, need to be considered when trying to understand climate change. The specific objective of the project was the development, testing and certification of a high-volume flow sampling system (HERA) for the collection of sub- and super-micron aerosol particles on board the German research airplane HALO. Serious challenges needed to be scoped with during project. During the development of the sampler the need for redesigning and extensive further tests occurred. The replacement of the ARCTIC-HALO with the HALO-AC3-campaign which features no in-situ aerosol measurements on board HALO, and last but not least COVID-19 caused further complications. Despite these challenges we successfully completed the project. Respective activities, included the development, intensive testing and successful application of the High volume flow aerosol particle sampling system (HERA) during one ground-based (Pue de Dome) and one air-borne (PARMARMiP) measurement campaign, the automation of the TROPOS freezing arrays INDA and LINA, and the development / optimization of analytical methods for chemical characterization of collected filter samples. It is worth mentioning, that as part of the DFG-funded project “Physical and chemical properties of cloud particle residuals and ice nucleating particles associated with clouds at high latitudes from mixed-phase to cirrus levels”, the high-volume flow aerosol sampler HERA was successfully flown onboard HALO as part of the CIRRUS-HL mission this summer. It’s too early for making definitive statements concerning the economic usability of HERA. However, what can be said is that, a) there are plans to regularly operate a HERA-like instrument on CARIBIC, b) HERA will operated onboard the AWI Polar 6 during 2 measurement campaigns in 2021 (HALO AC3 and BACSAM) in the framework of the DFG-funded TR 172 AC3, and c) HERA will be part of the HALO-South mission planned for 2025. Further interest has been explained. In summary, future application of HERA is ensured, concerning its economical usability currently no judgement can be made.
Publications
- (2020), Wintertime airborne measurements of ice nucleating particles in the high Arctic: a hint to a marine, biogenic source for Ice Nucleating Particles, Geophys. Res. Lett., 47(e2020GL087770)
Hartmann, M., K. Adachi, O. Eppers, C. Haas, A. Herber, R. Holzinger, A. Hünerbein, E. Jäkel, C. Jentzsch, M. van Pinxteren, H. Wex, S. Willmes, and F. Stratmann
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL087770) - Determination of highly polar compounds in atmospheric aerosol particles at ultra-trace levels using ion chromatography Orbitrap MS (2021). Journal of Separation Science, 44 (12), 2343-2357
Kwiezinksi, C., van Pinxteren, D., Brüggemann, M., Weller, C., Mertes, S., Stratmann, F., Herrmann, H.
(See online at https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.202001048)
