Molar mass, surface tension, and droplet growth kinetics of marine organics from measurements of CCN activity

R. H. Moore, E. D. Ingall, A. Sorooshian, A. Nenes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

The CCN-relevant properties and droplet growth kinetics are determined for marine organic matter isolated from seawater collected near the Georgia coast. The organic matter is substantially less CCN active than (NH4)2SO4, but droplet growth kinetics are similar. Köhler Theory Analysis (KTA) is used to determine the average organic molar masses of two samples, which are 4370 ± 24% and 4340 ± 18% kg kmol-1. KTA is used to infer surface tension depression, which is in excellent agreement with direct measurements. For the first time it is shown that direct measurements of surface tension are relevant for CCN activation, and this study highlights the power of KTA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL07801
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume35
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 16 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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