Open AccessEffect of solute dissolution kinetics on cloud droplet formation: Extended Köhler theory
Author(s) -
AsaAwuku A.,
Nenes A.
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2005jd006934
Subject(s) - dissolution , kinetics , thermodynamics , thermal diffusivity , saturation (graph theory) , particle (ecology) , materials science , supersaturation , diffusion , chemistry , physics , geology , classical mechanics , oceanography , mathematics , combinatorics
This study focuses on the importance of solute dissolution kinetics for cloud droplet formation. To comprehensively account for the kinetics, a numerical model of the process was developed. Simulations of cloud droplet growth were performed for solute diffusivity, droplet growth rates, dry particle and droplet diameters relevant for ambient conditions. Simulations suggest that high ambient supersaturations and low solute diffusivity are major contributors to significant decreases in effective solute surface concentrations during droplet growth. The numerical simulations were incorporated into Köhler theory to assess the impact of dissolution kinetics on the droplet equilibrium vapor pressure. The modified Köhler theory implies that only CCN with slowly dissolving solute could have a “dynamical” equilibrium saturation ratio that is appreciably different from that obtained using thermodynamic equilibrium arguments alone.