dc.description.abstract |
Atmospheric aerosols are key elements in cloud microphysics, the hydrological cycle and climate by
serving as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). The present work analyzes simultaneous measure-
ments of number concentration of CCN (Nccn) and condensation nuclei (Ncn) obtained at Nainital,
in the Gangetic-Himalayan (GH) region, during the frameworks of Ganges Valley Aerosol
Experiment (GVAX), June 2011 to March 2012. The Nccn, Ncn and activation (AR = Nccn/Ncn) at
0.31–0.33% S (supersaturation ratio), exhibit significant daily, monthly and seasonal variations
within a range of 684–2065 cm⁻³ for NCCN, 1606–4124 cm⁻³ for Ncn, and 0.38–0.60 for AR,
suggesting large inhomogeneity in aerosol properties, types and sources, which control the
degree of aerosol potential activation. Thus, transported aerosols from the Ganges valley and
abroad, the boundary-layer dynamics and atmospheric modification processes play an important
role in aerosol–cloud interactions over the GH region. The Ncn and Nccn show monthly-
dependent diurnal variations with afternoon maxima due to transported aerosols from the
Ganges valley up to the Himalayan foothills, while the AR is lower during these hours implying
lower hygroscopicities or smaller sizes of the transported aerosols. The dependence of Nccn on S is
highest during Dec–Mar and lowest during monsoon (Jun–Sep), suggesting different aerosol
chemical composition. Comparison between Nainital and Kanpur shows that Ncn and Nccn are
much lower at Nainital, while the similarity in AR suggests aerosols of similar type, source and
chemical composition uplifted from the Ganges valley to the Himalayan foothills. |
en_US |