Open AccessResearch Spotlight: Dry lake bed salts promote cloud formation
Author(s) -
Ofori Leslie,
Tretkoff Ernie
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/eo091i037p00332-03
Subject(s) - cloud condensation nuclei , cloud computing , environmental science , aerosol , atmospheric sciences , condensation , sea salt aerosol , sea salt , meteorology , climatology , geology , geography , computer science , operating system
One of the major uncertainties in climate modeling is the effect of aerosol particles on cloud formation. Sea salt in the air has been known to be important in cloud formation over oceans. Now a new study provides the first direct measurements of clouds showing that windblown dust from dry lake beds (playas) can also act as cloud condensation nuclei, encouraging the formation of clouds over continents and thereby affecting climate.