The test freezing temperature of C2–C6 dicarboxylic acid: The important indicator for ice nucleation processes

Abstract

The importance of organic compounds as significant constituents of atmospheric aerosols, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), as well as players influencing the tropospheric oxidation and atmospheric energy budget, have been increasingly recognized. Low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids (LMW-DCAs) are significant identified portions of atmospheric condensed matter including aerosols, fog and clouds. Besides the photochemical transformation of DCA, the implication of organic matter in ice nucleation processes has been considered. In this study, we investigated the freezing temperature of pure and mixed (C2–C6) DCA solutions in ultra-pure water and tap water solution droplets using a freezing nucleus counter at different pH, and in different water ionic conditions. The mean freezing temperature of different mixture of LMW-DCA in ultra-pure and tap water solution droplets ranged from −24.1±2.8 to −21.3±3.9°C and −10.2±2.2 to −9.5±2.2°C, respectively. The mean freezing temperature of the control (ultra-pure and tap) water droplets (−22.6±3.5°C, 11.2±2.4°C) was also measured. The results, and their implications in atmospheric chemistry and physics of the atmosphere will be discussed.