Details

Important process for cloud formation from gases unravelled

Leipzig, 05.12.2016

new paper in Nature Communications

Leipzig / Helsinki / Copenhagen. Particles from gases play an important role in the formation of clouds. This process also involves a group of low-volatiles which are formed in the atmosphere by oxidation processes. Now an additional reaction pathway could be proved for the first time by reactions of the hydroxyl radical, which explains why these gases are formed during the daytime under sunlight. This is the result of a joint study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), the University of Helsinki and the University of Copenhagen. The results contribute to a better understanding of day-time-dependent particle formation and subsequent cloud formation in the atmosphere, according to researchers in the journal Nature Communications.

Read more in the abstract of the open access publication: http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms13677
or in our press release in German: https://www.tropos.de/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/details/wichtiger-prozess-fuer-wolkenbildung-aus-gasen-entschluesselt/

Publikation:
Torsten Berndt, Stefanie Richters, Tuija Jokinen, Noora Hyttinen, Theo Kurten, Rasmus V. Otkjaer, Henrik G. Kjaergaard, Frank Stratmann, Mikko Sipilä, Markku Kulmala & Mikael Ehn (2016): Hydroxyl radical induced formation of highly oxidized organic compounds. Nat. Commun. 7, 13677 doi: 10.1038/ncomms13677
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13677
The study was supported by the European Commission (EU projects ACTRIS 1A (2011-2015) and PEGASOS (FP7-ENV-2010-265148)) and the European Research Council ERC (COALA, grant 638703).