Observations of Ice Nucleating Particles at a Remote Location in Cyprus

Abstract:

Ice nucleating particles (INP) have significant impacts on cloud microphysical properties and precipitation, and thus affect the Earths energy budget and hydrological cycle. However, the geographical distribution of such particles and their sources are not well known. We present the first INP measurements from a regional background station located in Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. INP observations are included from several different instrumental methods; a horizontal continuous flow diffusion chamber, the FRankfurt Ice Deposition FreezinG Experiment, a droplet assay of particles in water collected using a liquid impactor, and concentrations calculated from LIDAR estimated particle concentrations. Possible correlations of these measurements with source location, meteorological parameters and aerosol microphysics will be discussed. During our measurements several cases of long range dust transport were identified, and their effect on INP will be examined and compared against polluted air masses from Europe.