Direct observations of atmospheric aerosol nucleation

Markku Kulmala*, Jenni Kontkanen, Heikki Junninen, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuomo Nieminen, Tuukka Petäjä, Mikko Sipilä, Siegfried Schobesberger, Pekka Rantala, Alessandro Franchin, Tuija Jokinen, Emma Järvinen, Mikko Äijälä, Juha Kangasluoma, Jani Hakala, Pasi P. Aalto, Pauli Paasonen, Jyri Mikkilä, Joonas VanhanenJuho Aalto, Hannele Hakola, Ulla Makkonen, Taina Ruuskanen, Roy L. Mauldin, Jonathan Duplissy, Hanna Vehkamäki, Jaana Bäck, Aki Kortelainen, Ilona Riipinen, Theo Kurtén, Murray V. Johnston, James N. Smith, Mikael Ehn, Thomas F. Mentel, Kari E.J. Lehtinen, Ari Laaksonen, Veli Matti Kerminen, Douglas R. Worsnop

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

852 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Atmospheric nucleation is the dominant source of aerosol particles in the global atmosphere and an important player in aerosol climatic effects. The key steps of this process occur in the sub-2-nanometer (nm) size range, in which direct size-segregated observations have not been possible until very recently. Here, we present detailed observations of atmospheric nanoparticles and clusters down to 1-nm mobility diameter. We identified three separate size regimes below 2-nm diameter that build up a physically, chemically, and dynamically consistent framework on atmospheric nucleation - more specifically, aerosol formation via neutral pathways. Our findings emphasize the important role of organic compounds in atmospheric aerosol formation, subsequent aerosol growth, radiative forcing and associated feedbacks between biogenic emissions, clouds, and climate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)943-946
JournalScience
Volume339
Issue number6122
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Feb 2013
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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