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Parameterization of cloud droplet formation in global climate models

Nenes, Athanasios and Seinfeld, John H. (2003) Parameterization of cloud droplet formation in global climate models. Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres, 108 (D14). Art. No. 4415. ISSN 2169-897X. doi:10.1029/2002jd002911. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20230221-987794800.8

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Abstract

An aerosol activation parameterization has been developed based on a generalized representation of aerosol size and composition within the framework of an ascending adiabatic parcel; this allows for parameterizing the activation of chemically complex aerosol with an arbitrary size distribution and mixing state. The new parameterization introduces the concept of “population splitting,” in which the cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) that form droplets are treated as two separate populations: those that have a size close to their critical diameter and those that do not. Explicit consideration of kinetic limitations on droplet growth is introduced. Our treatment of the activation process unravels much of its complexity. As a result of this, a substantial number of conditions of droplet formation can be treated completely free of empirical information or correlations; there are, however, some conditions of droplet activation for which an empirically derived correlation is utilized. Predictions of the parameterization are compared against extensive cloud parcel model simulations for a variety of aerosol activation conditions that cover a wide range of chemical variability and CCN concentrations. The parameterization tracks the parcel model simulations closely and robustly. The parameterization presented here is intended to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the aerosol indirect effect in general circulation models.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1029/2002jd002911DOIArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Nenes, Athanasios0000-0003-3873-9970
Seinfeld, John H.0000-0003-1344-4068
Additional Information:This work was supported by the NASA Earth Observing System-Interdisciplinary Science program (NASA EOS-IDS) and by the Office of Naval Research grant N00014-96-1-0119. We would also like to thank T. Rissman for assistance with some of the calculations.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASAUNSPECIFIED
Office of Naval Research (ONR)N00014-96-1-0119
Issue or Number:D14
DOI:10.1029/2002jd002911
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20230221-987794800.8
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20230221-987794800.8
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:119331
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:21 Feb 2023 21:51
Last Modified:21 Feb 2023 21:51

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