Open AccessHeterogeneous nucleation as a potential sulphate‐coating mechanism of atmospheric mineral dust particles and implications of coated dust on new particle formation
Author(s) -
Korhonen H.,
Napari I.,
Timmreck C.,
Vehkamäki H.,
Pirjola L.,
Lehtinen K. E. J.,
Lauri A.,
Kulmala M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2003jd003553
Subject(s) - nucleation , particle (ecology) , mineral dust , aerosol , condensation , ammonia , ternary operation , cloud condensation nuclei , chemical engineering , materials science , chemical physics , chemistry , environmental chemistry , geology , meteorology , organic chemistry , oceanography , physics , computer science , engineering , programming language
The plausibility of heterogeneous conucleation of water, sulphuric acid, and ammonia as a pathway leading to soluble coating of atmospheric mineral dust is investigated. In addition, the effect of such sulphate‐coated dust on the formation and growth of atmospheric aerosol particles is addressed. The simulated new particle formation mechanism is ternary nucleation of water, sulphuric acid, and ammonia vapors, while in the condensational growth process the effect of condensable organic vapor is also studied. The results indicate that soluble coating of dust by heterogeneous nucleation can occur at atmospheric sulphuric acid concentrations. In addition, the simulations show that homogeneous ternary nucleation and subsequent growth are decoupled. Although observed (or even higher) dust concentrations are unable to inhibit new particle formation, coated dust particles acting as condensation and coagulation sinks can prevent the growth of newly formed particles to detectable sizes. This is particularly true in desert areas, where organic vapor concentrations are low.