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A technique for determining in‐cloud formation of SO 4
Author(s) -
Husain Liaquat
Publication year - 1989
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/gl016i001p00057
Subject(s) - nucleation , scavenging , cloud computing , dissolution , liquid water content , environmental science , aerosol , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , fractionation , cloud physics , mineralogy , chemistry , geology , physics , thermodynamics , computer science , chromatography , operating system , biochemistry , antioxidant
A technique based on SO 4 /Se ratio is developed to determine in‐cloud formation of SO 4 from the oxidation of SO 2 . Whereas nucleation scavenging is the only significant source of Se in cloud water, both nucleation scavenging and dissolution of SO 2 with subsequent oxidation are significant sources of SO 4 in cloud water. Based on the assumption that no fractionation occurs between Se and SO 4 aerosols during nucleation scavenging, it is shown that a simultaneous measurement of SO 4 and Se in cloud water and ambient air permits a direct determination of in‐cloud SO 4 formation. The data to support this assumption are provided. The results from two cloud events during July and August, 1987 show that in‐cloud formation ranged between 8 and 28% in ten hourly samples.