The particle−gas interface in aerosol systems is of essential importance because it is here that many key atmospheric processes occur. In this study, we employ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) to investigate the surface properties and processes of an atmospherically relevant carboxylic salt, sodium acetate, at subdeliquescence conditions. From the depth profiles of the elemental ratios of sodium, oxygen, and carbon, we find that after deliquescence−efflorescence cycles the salt surface is sodium-depleted. The mechanism of the observed depletion is proposed to be (i) the formation of neutral acetic acid in the solution due to the nature of the basic salt; (ii) the selective surface enhancement of neutral molecules under aqueous condition; and (iii) a hypothetical kinetic barrier to rehomogenization due to spatial separation and special local conditions on the surface, resulting in varied local surface composition. When the relative humidity gradually increases and approaches the deliquescence point, both reversible water uptake and reversible surface dissociation are confirmed by near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at the oxygen K-edge and sodium K-edge, respectively. The solvation of sodium requires a higher relative humidity than needed for water adsorption, which suggests that water molecules are taken up by the surface, but the solvation of the salt surface begins only when sufficient water molecules are present, to facilitate the process. The sodium-depleted surface requires additional adsorbed water to affect and dissolve the sodium ions in deeper regions.

Abstract. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) trigger the formation of cloud ice crystals in the atmosphere. Therefore, they strongly influence cloud microphysical and optical properties, as well as precipitation and the life cycle of clouds. Improving weather forecasting and climate projection requires an appropriate formulation of atmospheric INP concentrations. This remains challenging, as the global INP distribution and variability depend on a variety of aerosol types and sources, and neither their short-term variability nor their long-term seasonal cycles are well covered by continuous measurements. Here, we provide the first year-long set of observations with a pronounced INP seasonal cycle in a boreal forest environment. Besides the observed seasonal cycle in INP concentrations with a minimum in wintertime and maxima in early and late summer, we also provide indications for a seasonal variation in the prevalent INP type. We show that the seasonal dependency of INP concentrations and prevalent INP types is most likely driven by the abundance of biogenic aerosol. As current parameterizations do not reproduce this variability, we suggest a new parameterization approach, which considers the seasonal variation of INP concentrations. For this, we use the ambient air temperature as a proxy for the season which affects the source strength of biogenic emissions and by that the INP abundance over the boreal forest areas. Furthermore, we provide new INP parameterizations based on the Ice Nucleation Active Surface Site (INAS) approach, which specifically describes the ice nucleation activity of boreal aerosols particles prevalent in different seasons. Our results characterize the boreal forest as an important but variable INP source and provide new perspectives to describe these new findings in atmospheric models.

Abstract. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) trigger the formation of cloud ice crystals in the atmosphere. Therefore, they strongly influence cloud microphysical and optical properties and precipitation and the life cycle of clouds. Improving weather forecasting and climate projection requires an appropriate formulation of atmospheric INP concentrations. This remains challenging as the global INP distribution and variability depend on a variety of aerosol types and sources, and neither their short-term variability nor their long-term seasonal cycles are well covered by continuous measurements. Here, we provide the first year-long set of observations with a pronounced INP seasonal cycle in a boreal forest environment. Besides the observed seasonal cycle in INP concentrations with a minimum in wintertime and maxima in early and late summer, we also provide indications for a seasonal variation in the prevalent INP type. We show that the seasonal dependency of INP concentrations and prevalent INP types is most likely driven by the abundance of biogenic aerosol. As current parameterizations do not reproduce this variability, we suggest a new mechanistic description for boreal forest environments which considers the seasonal variation in INP concentrations. For this, we use the ambient air temperature measured close to the ground at 4.2 m height as a proxy for the season, which appears to affect the source strength of biogenic emissions and, thus, the INP abundance over the boreal forest. Furthermore, we provide new INP parameterizations based on the Ice Nucleation Active Surface Site (INAS) approach, which specifically describes the ice nucleation activity of boreal aerosols particles prevalent in different seasons. Our results characterize the boreal forest as an important but variable INP source and provide new perspectives to describe these new findings in atmospheric models.

Abstract. The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (Cryosphere–Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, is the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual centre with the objectives of identifying and quantifying the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, outlining strategies to mitigate Arctic warming, and developing Nordic Earth system modelling with a focus on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This paper presents an overview of the main scientific topics investigated in the centre and provides the reader with a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Faced with a vast amount of scientific discovery, we do not claim to completely summarize the results from CRAICC within this paper, but rather concentrate here on the main results which are related to feedback loops in climate change–cryosphere interactions that affect Arctic amplification.

Spontaneous chemistry on aerosol surface Interfacial redox chemistry plays an important role in the formation of gas molecules and aerosol particles. However, the characterization of such heterogeneous processes is challenging, and they are often omitted in chemical kinetics models. Using ambient-pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy combined with molecular dynamics simulations, Kong et al . discovered spontaneous redox chemistry promoted by the surface at the first stages of the solvation process on a typical inorganic aerosol surface of ammonium sulfate (see the Perspective by Ruiz-Lopez). Several unexpected species have been identified as being possible products of a sulfate-reducing ammonium oxidation reaction, and this may help to resolve some of the enduring conundrums of atmospheric chemistry. The present results could also be useful for the development of wastewater treatments and other industrial technologies. —YS