2016, Tröstl, Jasmin, Herrmann, Erik, Frege, Carla, Bianchi, Federico, Molteni, Ugo, Bukowiecki, Nicolas, Hoyle, Christopher R., Steinbacher, Martin, Weingartner, Ernest, Dommen, Josef, Gysel, Martin, Baltensperger, Urs

Previous modeling studies hypothesized that a large fraction of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is attributed to new particle formation (NPF) in the free troposphere. Despite the potential importance of this process, only few long‐term observations have been performed to date. Here we present the results of a 12 month campaign of NPF observations at the high‐altitude site Jungfraujoch (JFJ, 3580 m above sea level (asl)). Our results show that NPF significantly adds to the total aerosol concentration at the JFJ and only occurs via previous precursor entrainment from the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Freshly nucleated particles do not directly grow to CCN size (90 nm) within observable time scales (maximum 48 h). The contribution of NPF to the CCN concentration is low within this time frame compared to other sources, such as PBL entrainment of larger particles. A multistep growth mechanism is proposed which allows previously formed Aitken mode particles to add to the CCN concentration. A parametrization is derived to explain formation rates at the JFJ, showing that precursor concentration, PBL influence, and global radiation are the key factors controlling new particle formation at the site.

2016, Bukowiecki, Nicolas, Weingartner, Ernest, Gysel, Martin, Coen, Martine Collaud, Zieger, Paul, Herrmann, Erik, Steinbacher, Martin, Gäggeler, Heinz W., Baltensperger, Urs

2016, Hoyle, Christopher R., Webster, Clare S., Rieder, Harald E., Nenes, Athanasios, Hammer, Emanuel, Herrmann, Erik, Gysel, Martin, Bukowiecki, Nicolas, Weingartner, Ernest, Steinbacher, Martin, Baltensperger, Urs

A simple statistical model to predict the number of aerosols which activate to form cloud droplets in warm clouds has been established, based on regression analysis of data from four summertime Cloud and Aerosol Characterisation Experiments (CLACE) at the high-altitude site Jungfraujoch (JFJ). It is shown that 79 % of the observed variance in droplet numbers can be represented by a model accounting only for the number of potential cloud condensation nuclei (defined as number of particles larger than 80 nm in diameter), while the mean errors in the model representation may be reduced by the addition of further explanatory variables, such as the mixing ratios of O3, CO, and the height of the measurements above cloud base. The statistical model has a similar ability to represent the observed droplet numbers in each of the individual years, as well as for the two predominant local wind directions at the JFJ (northwest and southeast). Given the central European location of the JFJ, with air masses in summer being representative of the free troposphere with regular boundary layer in-mixing via convection, we expect that this statistical model is generally applicable to warm clouds under conditions where droplet formation is aerosol limited (i.e. at relatively high updraught velocities and/or relatively low aerosol number concentrations). A comparison between the statistical model and an established microphysical parametrization shows good agreement between the two and supports the conclusion that cloud droplet formation at the JFJ is predominantly controlled by the number concentration of aerosol particles.