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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Constituent sources and sinks
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Ion chemistry of the atmosphere
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere—composition and chemistry
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Instruments and techniques

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 29, 1698, 4 PP., 2002
doi:10.1029/2002GL015044

Cosmic ray-induced aerosol-formation: First observational evidence from aircraft-based ion mass spectrometer measurements in the upper troposphere

S. Eichkorn

Atmospheric Physics Division, Max-Planck-Institut of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany

S. Wilhelm

Atmospheric Physics Division, Max-Planck-Institut of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany

H. Aufmhoff

Atmospheric Physics Division, Max-Planck-Institut of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany

K. H. Wohlfrom

Atmospheric Physics Division, Max-Planck-Institut of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany

F. Arnold

Atmospheric Physics Division, Max-Planck-Institut of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, Germany

Large positive cluster ions with atomic mass numbers up to 2500 have for the first time been detected in the upper troposphere using an aircraft-based large ion mass spectrometer (LIOMAS). Three ion families seem to be present (types 1, 2 and 3). Type 1 ions probably are H+BbWw (W is H2O and B is mostly acetone (CH3)2CO, and b ≤ 2). Type 2 ions are probably H+BbAaWw (A = H2SO4) formed by A-attachment to type 1 ions. Type 3 ions are probably very small charged aerosols formed preferably by type 1 ion attachment to stable electrically neutral AxWy clusters. The latter are preferably formed by ion-ion recombination. Hence our observations provide strong evidence for the ion-mediated formation and growth of aerosol particles in the upper troposphere.

Published 27 July 2002.

Citation: Eichkorn, S., S. Wilhelm, H. Aufmhoff, K. H. Wohlfrom, and F. Arnold (2002), Cosmic ray-induced aerosol-formation: First observational evidence from aircraft-based ion mass spectrometer measurements in the upper troposphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29(14), 1698, doi:10.1029/2002GL015044.

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