Importance of Supermicron Ice Nucleating Particles in Nascent Sea Spray

Abstract

AbstractWith oceans covering 71% of the Earth's surface, sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles play an important role in the global radiative budget by acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nucleating particles (INPs). By acting as INPs, SSA particles affect the structure and properties of mixed‐phase clouds by inducing freezing at warmer temperatures than the homogeneous freezing temperature. Climate models that incorporate marine INPs use the emission of submicron SSA in INP parameterizations because these particles contain a higher fraction of organic mass. Here we show supermicron SSA particles, produced using a natural breaking wave analogue, are the major source of INPs throughout the lifecycle of a phytoplankton bloom. Additionally, supermicron SSA particles are shown to be more efficient INPs than submicron SSA particles, because they carry a greater number of ice active components. Thus, supermicron SSA needs to be incorporated in INP parameterizations for future climate models.