Relationship between cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration and aerosol optical depth in the Arctic region

To determine the direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate, it is important to know the spatial and temporal variations in cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations. Although many types of CCN measurements are available, extensive CCN measurements are challenging because of the complexity and high operating cost, especially in remote areas. As aerosol optical depth (AOD) can be readily observed by remote sensing, many attempts have been made to estimate CCN concentrations from AOD. In this study, the CCN-AOD relationship is parameterized based on CCN ground measurements from the Zeppelin Observatory (78.91 degrees N, 11.89 degrees E, 474 m asl) in the Arctic region. The AOD measurements were obtained from the Ny-Alesund site (78.923 degrees N, 11.928 degrees E) and Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 reanalysis. Our results show a CCN-AOD correlation with a coefficient of determination R-2 of 0.59. Three additional estimation models for CCN were presented based on the following data: (i) in situ aerosol chemical composition, (ii) in situ aerosol optical properties, and (iii) chemical composition of AOD obtained from reanalysis data. The results from the model using in situ aerosol optical properties reproduced the observed CCN concentration most efficiently, suggesting that the contribution of BC to CCN concentration should be considered along with that of sulfate.

Automated summary

By studying the relationship between CCN and AOD in the Arctic region, a parameterized model was established and three different CCN estimation models were proposed based on different data sources. The results showed that the model using in situ aerosol optical properties most efficiently reproduced the observed CCN concentration.