A new method for sampling of atmospheric ice nuclei with subsequent analysis in a static diffusion chamber

A new technique for the sampling of atmospheric ice nuclei is presented. Aerosols are electrostatically precipitated onto silicon discs, and are subsequently analyzed in a diffusion chamber. The method is compared to continuous flow chamber measurements and to membrane filter measurements of ice nuclei. Ice nucleus measurements obtained using this new method compare well to the continuous flow chamber measurements. In contrast, membrane filters were found to lead to serious underestimates of the ice nuclei number concentration when the filters were treated with a pore sealant and analyzed under vacuum. This confirms previous findings of other authors. The electrostatic aerosol collection device is lightweight and easy to handle. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.