Premium
Cosmic ray‐induced aerosol‐formation: First observational evidence from aircraft‐based ion mass spectrometer measurements in the upper troposphere
Author(s) -
Eichkorn S.,
Wilhelm S.,
Aufmhoff H.,
Wohlfrom K. H.,
Arnold F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl015044
Subject(s) - ion , mass spectrometry , aerosol , troposphere , physics , atomic physics , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , quantum mechanics
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 + B b W w (W is H 2 O and B is mostly acetone (CH 3 ) 2 CO, and b ≤ 2). Type 2 ions are probably H + B b A a W w (A = H 2 SO 4 ) 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 A x W y 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.