Aerosol Humidification Research Articles

Applicability of the low-cost OPC-N3 optical particle counter for microphysical measurements of fog

Abstract. Low-cost devices for particulate matter measurements are characterised by small dimensions and a light weight. This advantage makes them ideal for UAV measurements, where those parameters are crucial. However, they also have some issues. The values of particulate matter from low-cost optical particle counters can be biased by high ambient humidity. In this article, we evaluate the low-cost Alphasense OPC-N3 optical particle counter for measuring the microphysical properties of fog. This study aimed to show that OPC-N3 not only registers aerosols or humidified aerosols but also registers fog droplets. The study was carried out on the rooftop of the Institute of Geophysics, University of Warsaw, Poland, during autumn–winter 2021. To validate the results, the data from OPC-N3 were compared with the data obtained from the reference instrument, the Oxford Lasers VisiSize D30. VisiSize D30 is a shadowgraph device able to register photos of individual droplets. Considering the effective radius of droplets, it is possible to differentiate low-visibility situations between fog conditions (which are not hazardous for people) from haze events, when highly polluted air can cause health risks to people. The compared microphysical properties were liquid water content (LWC), number concentration (Nc), effective radius reff and statistical moments of radius. The Pearson correlation coefficient between both devices for LWC was 0.92, Nc was 0.95 and reff was 0.63. Overall, these results suggest good compliance between instruments. However, the OPC-N3 has to be corrected regarding professional equipment.

Highly supercooled riming and unusual triple-frequency radar signatures over McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Abstract. Riming of ice crystals by supercooled water droplets is an efficient ice growth process, but its basic properties are still poorly known. While it has been shown to contribute significantly to surface precipitation at mid-latitudes, little is known about its occurrence at high latitudes. In Antarctica, two competing effects can influence the occurrence of riming: (i) the scarcity of supercooled liquid water clouds due to the extremely low tropospheric temperatures and (ii) the low aerosol concentration, which may lead to the formation of fewer and larger supercooled drops potentially resulting in an enhanced riming efficiency. In this work, by exploiting the deployment of an unprecedented number of multiwavelength remote sensing systems (including triple-frequency radar measurements) in West Antarctica, during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurements West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) field campaign, we evaluate the riming incidence at McMurdo Station and find that riming occurs at much lower temperatures when compared to previous results in the mid-latitudes. This suggests the possible occurrence of a common atmospheric state over Antarctica that includes a rather stable atmosphere inhibiting turbulent mixing, and a high riming efficiency driven by large cloud droplets. We then focus on a peculiar case study featuring a persistent layer with a particularly pronounced riming signature in triple-frequency radar data but only a relatively modest amount of supercooled liquid water. In-depth analysis of the radar observations suggests that such signatures can only be explained by the combined effects of moderately rimed aggregates or similarly shaped florid polycrystals and a narrow particle size distribution (PSD). Simulations of this case study performed with a one-dimensional bin model indicate that similar triple-frequency radar observations can be reproduced when narrow PSDs are simulated. Such narrow PSDs can in turn be explained by two key factors: (i) the presence of a shallow homogeneous droplet or humidified aerosol freezing layer aloft seeding an underlying supercooled liquid layer, and (ii) the absence of turbulent mixing throughout a stable polar atmosphere that sustains narrow PSDs, as hydrometeors grow from the nucleation region aloft to ice particles of several millimeters in size, by vapor deposition and then riming.

Humidified single-scattering albedometer (H-CAPS-PMSSA): Design, data analysis, and validation

We report the development and validation of a new humidified aerosol single scattering albedometer to quantify the effects of water uptake on submicrometer particle optical properties. The instrume...

Novel Test Bench for Inhaler Characterization Including Real-Time Determination of Output, Output Rate, and Liquid Water Content of Delivered Aerosols.

Background: Developing new (triggered) or improving existing inhaler systems for (preterm) neonates and adults requires test benches for the determination of aerosol output and aerosol output rate. Furthermore, real-time measurement of aerosol output and output rate is advantageous with respect to both development costs and development time, especially when using liquid or humidified dry aerosols. The current standard test procedures following ISO 27427, however, are time-consuming. Moreover, these procedures are not applicable to inhalers for preterm neonates, due to their high breathing frequency, low tidal volume, and the dead space in commercially available test benches. We are describing a novel test bench approach combining gravimetric and optical detection to facilitate real-time measurement of aerosol output, aerosol output rate, and aerosol liquid water content in inhalation systems for (preterm) neonates and adults. Methods: We integrated a laser-based optical measurement unit into test benches for inhalers for adults and preterm neonates, based on ISO 27427. Breathing was simulated by a sine pump for adults and by a test lung for preterm neonates on continuous positive airway pressure respiratory support. Dry or humidified aerosol was released by a continuous powder aerosolizer system. Simultaneous particle measurement by gravimetry (filter) and light extinction (laser system) was performed using the novel test benches. Results: We developed test benches for inhalers for (preterm) neonates and adults in accordance with ISO 27427, combining optical and gravimetric particle detection. Optical and gravimetric measurements conducted with these test benches were highly correlated, thus enabling real-time measurement of aerosol output and output rate. In addition, our test benches are suitable to determine the aerosol water content in situ directly at the patient interface. Conclusion: This novel test bench allows characterization of inhalation devices in real time and therefore will accelerate optimization and development cycles. Conformity with ISO 27427 allows its use in various applications.

Influence of cloud, fog, and high relative humidity during pollution transport events in South Korea: Aerosol properties and PM2.5 variability

Abstract This investigation examines aerosol dynamics during major fine mode aerosol transboundary pollution events in South Korea primarily during the KORUS-AQ campaign from May 1 – June 10, 2016, particularly when cloud fraction was high and/or fog was present to quantify the change in aerosol characteristics due to near-cloud or fog interaction. We analyze the new AERONET Version 3 data that have significant changes to cloud screening algorithms, allowing many more fine-mode observations in the near vicinity of clouds or fog. Case studies for detailed investigation include May 25–26, 2016 when cloud fraction was high over much of the peninsula, associated with a weak frontal passage and advection of pollution from China. These cloud-influenced Chinese transport dates also had the highest aerosol optical depth (AOD), surface PM2.5 concentrations and fine mode particle sizes of the entire campaign. Another likewise cloud/high relative humidity (RH) case is June 9 and 10, 2016 when fog was present over the Yellow Sea that appears to have affected aerosol properties well downwind over the Korean peninsula. In comparison we also investigated aerosol properties on air stagnation days with very low cloud cover and relatively low RH (May 17 & 18, 2016), when local Korean emissions dominated. Aerosol volume size distributions show marked differences between the transport days (with high RH and cloud influences) and the local pollution stagnation days, with total column-integrated particle fine mode volume being an order of magnitude greater on the pollution transport dates. The PM2.5 over central Seoul were significantly greater than for coastal sites on the transboundary transport days yet not on stagnation days, suggesting additional particle formation from gaseous urban emissions in cloud/fog droplets and/or in the high RH humidified aerosol environment. Many days had KORUS-AQ research aircraft flights that provided observations of aerosol absorption, particle chemistry and vertical profiles of extinction. AERONET retrievals and aircraft in situ measurements both showed high single scattering albedo (weak absorption) on the cloudy or cloud influenced days, plus aircraft profile in situ measurements showed large AOD enhancements (versus dried aerosol) at ambient relative humidity (RH) on the pollution transport days, consistent with the significantly larger fine mode particle radii and weak absorption.

TECHNOLOGY OF COMBINED IRRIGATION OF VEGETABLE CROPS

There are no doubts about the advantages of using drip irrigation, however, it does not solve the problem of regulating plant phytoclimate in open ground during periods of high temperatures in the Lower Volga region when the biological development of vegetable crops is inhibited, which leads to a decrease in yield. The use of combined irrigation in the combination of drip and fine solves the problem of reducing thermal stress and increases moisture on the soil surface. Based on the research and publications of Russian scientists, the main requirements for the functioning of combined irrigation systems have been identified. These include the provision of drip and fine (aerosol) irrigation, the system should work both jointly and separately, the regulation of plant phytoclimate, the possibility of using foliar feeding and chemical protection, etc. To solve this problem, a number of technical solutions have been considered, which will allow to partially or fully satisfy all the requirements for the stability of the technological process of growing crops under combined irrigation and eliminate the above-mentioned negative environmental conditions of the Lower Volga region. The FGBNU VNII “Raduga” developed the KAU-1M aerosol humidification kit, and the scientists of the Volgograd State Agrarian University developed technical solutions Spray Nozzle of the Combined Irrigation System for Cultivation of Vegetable Crops). The proposed technical solutions for the combined irrigation system will improve operational reliability, provide the plants with soil moisture, control the temperature, nutritional regime of the plants, which will make it possible to obtain stable yields of agricultural crops and environmental safety of the environment.

Observations of the Interaction and Transport of Fine Mode Aerosols with Cloud and/or Fog in Northeast Asia from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Satellite Remote Sensing.

Analysis of sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) data has shown that major aerosol pollution events with very high fine mode AOD (>1.0 in mid-visible) in the China/Korea/Japan region are often observed to be associated with significant cloud cover. This makes remote sensing of these events difficult even for high temporal resolution sun photometer measurements. Possible physical mechanisms for these events that have high AOD include a combination of aerosol humidification, cloud processing, and meteorological co-variation with atmospheric stability and convergence. The new development of Aerosol Robotic network (AERONET) Version 3 Level 2 AOD with improved cloud screening algorithms now allow for unprecedented ability to monitor these extreme fine mode pollution events. Further, the Spectral Deconvolution Algorithm (SDA) applied to Level 1 data (L1; no cloud screening) provides an even more comprehensive assessment of fine mode AOD than L2 in current and previous data versions. Studying the 2012 winter-summer period, comparisons of AERONET L1 SDA daily average fine mode AOD data showed that Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite remote sensing of AOD often did not retrieve and/or identify some of the highest fine mode AOD events in this region. Also, compared to models that include data assimilation of satellite retrieved AOD, the L1 SDA fine mode AOD was significantly higher in magnitude, particularly for the highest AOD events that were often associated with significant cloudiness.

Peritoneal Nebulization of Ropivacaine during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Dose Finding and Pharmacokinetic Study

Background. Intraperitoneal nebulization of ropivacaine reduces postoperative pain and morphine consumption after laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of different doses and dose-related absorption of ropivacaine when nebulized in the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. Patients were randomized to receive 50, 100, or 150 mg of ropivacaine 1% by peritoneal nebulization through a nebulizer. Morphine consumption, pain intensity in the abdomen, wound and shoulder, time to unassisted ambulation, discharge time, and adverse effects were collected during the first 48 hours after surgery. The pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine was evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography. Results. Nebulization of 50 mg of ropivacaine had the same effect of 100 or 150 mg in terms of postoperative morphine consumption, shoulder pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, activity resumption, and hospital discharge timing (>0.05). Plasma concentrations did not reach toxic levels in any patient, and no significant differences were observed between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. There is no enhancement in analgesic efficacy with higher doses of nebulized ropivacaine during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When administered with a microvibration-based aerosol humidification system, the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine is constant and maintains an adequate safety profile for each dosage tested.

Исследование условий влияния увлажнения аэрозоля на видимость в аэропортах

Исследование условий влияния увлажнения аэрозоля на видимость в аэропортах

The white-light humidified optical particle spectrometer (WHOPS) – a novel airborne system to characterize aerosol hygroscopicity

Abstract. Aerosol particles experience hygroscopic growth at enhanced relative humidity (RH), which leads to changes in their optical properties. We developed the white-light humidified optical particle spectrometer (WHOPS), a new instrument to investigate the particles' hygroscopic growth. Here we present a detailed technical description and characterization of the WHOPS in laboratory and field experiments. The WHOPS consists of a differential mobility analyzer, a humidifier/bypass and a white-light aerosol spectrometer (WELAS) connected in series to provide fast measurements of particle hygroscopicity at subsaturated RH and optical properties on airborne platforms. The WELAS employs a white-light source to minimize ambiguities in the optical particle sizing. In contrast to other hygroscopicity instruments, the WHOPS retrieves information of relatively large particles (i.e., diameter D > 280 nm), therefore investigating the more optically relevant size ranges. The effective index of refraction of the dry particles is retrieved from the optical diameter measured for size-selected aerosol samples with a well-defined dry mobility diameter. The data analysis approach for the optical sizing and retrieval of the index of refraction was extensively tested in laboratory experiments with polystyrene latex size standards and ammonium sulfate particles of different diameters. The hygroscopic growth factor (GF) distribution and aerosol mixing state is inferred from the optical size distribution measured for the size-selected and humidified aerosol sample. Laboratory experiments with pure ammonium sulfate particles revealed good agreement with Köhler theory (mean bias of ~3% and maximal deviation of 8% for GFs at RH = 95%). During first airborne measurements in the Netherlands, GFs (mean value of the GF distribution) at RH = 95% between 1.79 and 2.43 with a median of 2.02 were observed for particles with a dry diameter of 500 nm. This corresponds to hygroscopicity parameters (κ) between 0.25 and 0.75 with a median of 0.38. The GF distributions indicate externally mixed particles covering the whole range of GFs between ~1.0 and 3.0. On average, ~74% of the 500 nm particles had GFs > 1.5, ~15% had GF < 1.1 and the remaining ~1% showed values of 1.1 < GF < 1.5. The more hygroscopic mode sometimes peaked at GF > 2, indicating influence of sea-salt particles, consistent with previous ground-based particle hygroscopicity measurements in this area. The mean dry effective index of refraction for 500 nm particles was found to be rather constant with a value of 1.42 ± 0.04 (mean ± 1SD).

Performance Evaluation of the Brechtel Mfg. Humidified Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (BMI HTDMA) for Studying Hygroscopic Properties of Aerosol Particles

The Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (TDMA) technique coupled with aerosol humidification has been widely used for studying aerosol hygroscopicity. In this study, we evaluate the performance of a commercial Humidified TDMA (BMI HTDMA, Model 3002) with respect to DMA sizing, relative humidity (RH) control, and growth factor (GF) measurements. Unique features of this particular HTDMA include a diffusion-based particle humidifier, a DMA design allowing selection of particles up to 2 μm diameter at only 5600 volts, and the ability to study the complete deliquescence and efflorescence cycle. The sizing agreement between DMA 1 and 2 was within 2% over the 35 to 500 nm diameter range. The measured TDMA responses agreed well with theoretical calculations. The RH control and stability were tested at a suburban field site in Hong Kong. The system achieved RH equilibrium in less than 4 min when changing the RH set point. With indoor temperature changes of less than 1°C per hour, the RH control of the system was...

Production and use of 13N labeled N2O5 to determine gas–aerosol interaction kinetics

Abstract Dinitrogen pentoxide has aroused significant interest in atmospheric chemistry because of its importance in the night time chemistry of nitrogen oxides to influence the tropospheric oxidation capacity. We have used an established method of 13N production to synthesize 13N labeled N2O5 for the first time in order to study N2O5 uptake kinetics on aerosol particles. 13N is produced via the 16O(p, α)13N reaction in a gas target attached to the IP2 endstation of the Injector 2 cyclotron at PSI. The 13NO produced in the gas target is transported to a laboratory where it is mixed, under dry conditions, with non-labeled NO and O3 in a gas reactor, giving 13NNO5. The N2O5 thus produced is fed into an aerosol flow tube together with a humidified aerosol gas flow. The gaseous species present in the resulting gas flow are selectively separated via a narrow parallel plate diffusion denuder system, while aerosol particles can be trapped on a particle filter placed at the end of the denuder system. The activity of the 13N labeled species trapped on the denuder plates and in the particle filter can be monitored via scintillation counters. A system for the routine online production of 13N labeled N2O5 has been assembled and used to assess the conformity of the results by kinetic modeling of gas phase N2O5 chemistry, showing good agreement. A few exemplary experiments of uptake of labelled N2O5 to ammonium sulfate and citric acid particles are presented that are in good agreement with results obtained with other methods reported in the literature.

Cloud fraction mediates the aerosol optical depth‐cloud top height relationship

AbstractThe observed strong link between aerosol optical depth (τ) and cloud top pressure (ptop) has frequently been interpreted as the invigoration of convective clouds by aerosol, with increased τ being strongly correlated with decreases in ptop (increases in cloud top height). A strong correlation between τ and cloud fraction (fc) has also been observed. Using satellite‐retrieved data, here we show that ptop is also strongly correlated to fc, and when combined with the strong sensitivity between fc and τ, a large proportion of the relationship between ptop and τcan be reconstructed. Given the uncertainties about the influence of aerosol‐cloud interactions on the τ‐fc relationship, this suggests that a large fraction of the τ‐ptop correlation may not be due to aerosol effects. Influences such as aerosol humidification and meteorology play an important role and should therefore be considered in studies of aerosol‐cloud interactions.

Formation of highly porous aerosol particles by atmospheric freeze-drying in ice clouds.

The cycling of atmospheric aerosols through clouds can change their chemical and physical properties and thus modify how aerosols affect cloud microphysics and, subsequently, precipitation and climate. Current knowledge about aerosol processing by clouds is rather limited to chemical reactions within water droplets in warm low-altitude clouds. However, in cold high-altitude cirrus clouds and anvils of high convective clouds in the tropics and midlatitudes, humidified aerosols freeze to form ice, which upon exposure to subsaturation conditions with respect to ice can sublimate, leaving behind residual modified aerosols. This freeze-drying process can occur in various types of clouds. Here we simulate an atmospheric freeze-drying cycle of aerosols in laboratory experiments using proxies for atmospheric aerosols. We find that aerosols that contain organic material that undergo such a process can form highly porous aerosol particles with a larger diameter and a lower density than the initial homogeneous aerosol. We attribute this morphology change to phase separation upon freezing followed by a glass transition of the organic material that can preserve a porous structure after ice sublimation. A porous structure may explain the previously observed enhancement in ice nucleation efficiency of glassy organic particles. We find that highly porous aerosol particles scatter solar light less efficiently than nonporous aerosol particles. Using a combination of satellite and radiosonde data, we show that highly porous aerosol formation can readily occur in highly convective clouds, which are widespread in the tropics and midlatitudes. These observations may have implications for subsequent cloud formation cycles and aerosol albedo near cloud edges.

Relative humidity and its effect on aerosol optical depth in the vicinity of convective clouds

The hygroscopic growth of aerosols is controlled by the relative humidity (RH) and changes the aerosols’ physical and hence optical properties. Observational studies of aerosol–cloud interactions evaluate the aerosol concentration using optical parameters, such as the aerosol optical depth (AOD), which can be affected by aerosol humidification. In this study we evaluate the RH background and variance values, in the lower cloudy atmosphere, an additional source of variance in AOD values beside the natural changes in aerosol concentration. In addition, we estimate the bias in RH and AOD, related to cloud thickness. This provides the much needed range of RH-related biases in studies of aerosol–cloud interaction. Twelve years of radiosonde measurements (June–August) in thirteen globally distributed stations are analyzed. The estimated non-biased AOD variance due to day-to-day changes in RH is found to be around 20% and the biases linked to cloud development around 10%. Such an effect is important and should be considered in direct and indirect aerosol effect estimations but it is inadequate to account for most of the AOD trend found in observational studies of aerosol–cloud interactions.

Radiative properties of humidified aerosols in cloudy environment

The remotely sensed aerosol retrievals in the transition zone between clouds and clear sky (“the twilight zone”) are affected by aerosol humidification, undetectable clouds, and complex cloud radiative 3D effects. Recent studies that have estimated this total effect, found a strong exponential dependence of the aerosol retrievals on the distance from the nearest cloud, up to 30km. In this study, we estimate the net effect of aerosol humidification on the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and aerosol fine-mode fraction (FMF). For this purpose, a new parameterization of the relative humidity (RH) as a function of the distance from the nearest cloud is presented, and calculated for shallow warm Cumulus cloud fields, based on large eddy simulation results. The results show an exponential increase in the relative humidity near clouds, from its background values (far from clouds), with an e-fold exponential distance scale of 90–300m from the cloud edge. This finding suggests that at least for warm Cumulus cloud fields, the variations of the mean RH values are negligible at distances larger than ~0.5km from clouds, when taking into account humidification effects and therefore, the total effect of the twilight zone on aerosol retrievals is not dominated by aerosol humidification at distances of 0.5–30km from clouds.Closer examination of the aerosol humidification effect on aerosol retrievals near clouds is then presented, using a radiative transfer model (SHDOM). We estimate the sensitivity of humidified aerosol retrievals to the physical aerosol properties. We show that the humidified aerosol optical depth (AOD) is constantly increasing near clouds, for all aerosol types and size distributions, due to aerosol hygroscopic growth. On the contrary, the humidified aerosol fine-mode fraction (FMF) is found to be sensitive to the aerosol physical properties, showing variant shapes near clouds.

Absorbing aerosols at high relative humidity: linking hygroscopic growth to optical properties

Abstract. One of the major uncertainties in the understanding of Earth's climate system is the interaction between solar radiation and aerosols in the atmosphere. Aerosols exposed to high humidity will change their chemical, physical, and optical properties due to their increased water content. To model hydrated aerosols, atmospheric chemistry and climate models often use the volume weighted mixing rule to predict the complex refractive index (RI) of aerosols when they interact with high relative humidity, and, in general, assume homogeneous mixing. This study explores the validity of these assumptions. A humidified cavity ring down aerosol spectrometer (CRD-AS) and a tandem hygroscopic DMA (differential mobility analyzer) are used to measure the extinction coefficient and hygroscopic growth factors of humidified aerosols, respectively. The measurements are performed at 80% and 90%RH at wavelengths of 532 nm and 355 nm using size-selected aerosols with different degrees of absorption; from purely scattering to highly absorbing particles. The ratio of the humidified to the dry extinction coefficients (fRHext(%RH, Dry)) is measured and compared to theoretical calculations based on Mie theory. Using the measured hygroscopic growth factors and assuming homogeneous mixing, the expected RIs using the volume weighted mixing rule are compared to the RIs derived from the extinction measurements. We found a weak linear dependence or no dependence of fRH(%RH, Dry) with size for hydrated absorbing aerosols in contrast to the non-monotonically decreasing behavior with size for purely scattering aerosols. No discernible difference could be made between the two wavelengths used. Less than 7% differences were found between the real parts of the complex refractive indices derived and those calculated using the volume weighted mixing rule, and the imaginary parts had up to a 20% difference. However, for substances with growth factor less than 1.15 the volume weighted mixing rule assumption needs to be taken with caution as the imaginary part of the complex RI can be underestimated.

Racoro Extended-Term Aircraft Observations of Boundary Layer Clouds

Small boundary-layer clouds are ubiquitous over many parts of the globe and strongly influence the Earths radiative energy balance. However, our understanding of these clouds is insufficient to solve pressing scientific problems. For example, cloud feedback represents the largest uncertainty amongst all climate feedbacks in general circulation models (GCM). Several issues complicate understanding boundary-layer clouds and simulating them in GCMs. The high spatial variability of boundary-layer clouds poses an enormous computational challenge, since their horizontal dimensions and internal variability occur at spatial scales much finer than the computational grids used in GCMs. Aerosol-cloud interactions further complicate boundary-layer cloud measurement and simulation. Additionally, aerosols influence processes such as precipitation and cloud lifetime. An added complication is that at small scales (order meters to 10s of meters) distinguishing cloud from aerosol is increasingly difficult, due to the effects of aerosol humidification, cloud fragments and photon scattering between clouds.

Influence of Humidified Aerosol on Lidar Depolarization Measurements below Ice-Precipitating Arctic Stratus

AbstractLidar measurements obtained during the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) experiment under a mixed-phase stratus cloud that was lightly precipitating ice show a range of surprisingly low depolarization ratios (4%–23%), despite an absence of cloud droplets there. These depolarization ratios are much lower than the range of theoretical values obtained for various ice habits. The depolarization ratios correlate well with radar reflectivity, suggesting that the variation in depolarization ratios results from variations in ice water content, rather than variation in ice habits or orientation. By calculating lidar depolarization based on (i) large-eddy simulations and (ii) in situ ice size distribution measurements, it is shown that the presence of humidified aerosol particles in addition to the ice precipitation can explain the distribution and vertical profile of the observed depolarization ratios, although uncertainties related to the aerosol size distributions are substantial. These calculations show that humidified aerosol must be taken into account when interpreting lidar depolarization measurements for cloud and precipitation phase discrimination or ice habit classification, at least under conditions similar to those observed during SHEBA.

Results and recommendations from an intercomparison of six Hygroscopicity-TDMA systems

Abstract. The performance of six custom-built Hygrocopicity-Tandem Differential Mobility Analyser (H-TDMA) systems was investigated in the frame of an international calibration and intercomparison workshop held in Leipzig, February 2006. The goal of the workshop was to harmonise H-TDMA measurements and develop recommendations for atmospheric measurements and their data evaluation. The H-TDMA systems were compared in terms of the sizing of dry particles, relative humidity (RH) uncertainty, and consistency in determination of number fractions of different hygroscopic particle groups. The experiments were performed in an air-conditioned laboratory using ammonium sulphate particles or an external mixture of ammonium sulphate and soot particles. The sizing of dry particles of the six H-TDMA systems was within 0.2 to 4.2% of the selected particle diameter depending on investigated size and individual system. Measurements of ammonium sulphate aerosol found deviations equivalent to 4.5% RH from the set point of 90% RH compared to results from previous experiments in the literature. Evaluation of the number fraction of particles within the clearly separated growth factor modes of a laboratory generated externally mixed aerosol was done. The data from the H-TDMAs was analysed with a single fitting routine to investigate differences caused by the different data evaluation procedures used for each H-TDMA. The differences between the H-TDMAs were reduced from +12/−13% to +8/−6% when the same analysis routine was applied. We conclude that a common data evaluation procedure to determine number fractions of externally mixed aerosols will improve the comparability of H-TDMA measurements. It is recommended to ensure proper calibration of all flow, temperature and RH sensors in the systems. It is most important to thermally insulate the aerosol humidification unit and the second DMA and to monitor these temperatures to an accuracy of 0.2 °C. For the correct determination of external mixtures, it is necessary to take into account size-dependent losses due to diffusion in the plumbing between the DMAs and in the aerosol humidification unit.