The Role of Natural and Anthropogenic Pollutants in Cloud and Precipitation Formation

Pruppacher, H. R.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-1986-3_1

Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 191 publications

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“…Particulate matter is known to play an important role in condensation and precipitation processes; thus the subject has received considerable attention [Pruppacher, 1973]. Since the bulk of the atmospheric aerosol is not predominantly organic, the focus of investigations relating to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice-forming nuclei (IFN) has been on inorganic substances like sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, silica, clay, and soil.…”

Section: Effects Of the Natural Organic Aerosolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Zenchelsky¹,

Youssefi²

1979

Reviews of Geophysics

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Particulate matter in the atmosphere is a major source of contamination, having an impact upon visibility, health, and even climate. These aerosols are predominantly of natural origin. A minor component, the anthropogenic organic aerosol, has been studied extensively because of its relation to smog. Much less is known about the far more abundant natural organic aerosol. Estimates of the annual global production rate of the latter range between 75 and 1000 million metric tons. In contrast, the corresponding rate for man‐made organic aerosol is only between 0.2% and 17% of the natural rate. Thus the natural organic aerosol production rate is exceeded greatly only by that of natural sea‐salt aerosol and possibly by that of natural nitrate. By far the largest proportion of the natural organic aerosol is derived from vegetation by means of a photochemical reaction of its vapors, a process which is observed as haze formation. This reaction of olefins has been studied extensively and is believed to be identical with that involved in smog production by anthropogenic olefins. In fact, the resultant products in the two cases are virtually indistinguishable, although minor differences do exist. An additional possible source for natural organic aerosols is the release of waxy particles from the tips of pine needles by means of electrical brush discharge from clouds. Yet other small amounts come from biological cellular debris and possibly even from volcanos. The role of natural organic aerosols in condensation and precipitation has been studied. Claims for the effectiveness of organic aerosols as ice‐forming nuclei have been made. Natural organic aerosols have been suggested as possible sources of petroleum and of humus in the ground. Biodegradation mechanisms for this result have been considered. If it is verified, the impact upon pollution control strategies would be considerable.

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Section: Effects Of the Natural Organic Aerosolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Zenchelsky¹,

Youssefi²

1979

Reviews of Geophysics

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Essential nutritional ions show enrichment (K⁺, Mg²⁺) and depletion (NO₃⁻) in runoff water generated by biocrusts covering arid sand dunes under natural rain conditions

Kidron,

Xiao,

Starinsky

2024

Hydrological Processes

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The role of runoff in providing nutrients to runon loci in deserts was not extensively explored. Here we report 2 years of measurements of the chemical composition of rain and runoff (three events for each year, which correspond to the long‐term runoff events) in plots that were constructed over four biocrust types in the Negev Desert, Israel. The enrichment ratios showed high variability, being high for K+ (3.7), moderately high for NH4+ (1.6) and slightly high for Mg2+ and SO42− (1.2). It was low for Cl− and NO3− (0.5), moderately lower for Ca2+ (0.7) and slightly lower for Na+ and HCO3− (0.8). When examined per rain event, significant higher concentrations were found for K+ and Mg2+ while NO3− exhibited significantly lower concentration. The high enrichment of K+ and the enrichment of Mg2+ may point to a biogenic origin. While K+ enrichment is suggested to result from K+ excretion by the cyanobacteria, bacteria, and possibly by the mosses following cell wetting and the K+ role in cell osmoregulation, decomposition and erosion of the chlorophyll pigment may result in Mg2+ release. On the other hand, the data point out that despite the crust capability to fix nitrogen and thus to provide its own needs for nitrogen, NO3− was depleted from the runoff water, a phenomena that may be explained by the crust preference to utilise available low‐cost nitrogen provided by rain. Due to runoff accumulation at small depressions within the interdune and at the dune‐interdune interface, runoff may contribute additional amount of nutrients to these habitats. For the dune‐interdune interface it may account for an addition of 273.8% and 35.3% of the total potassium and nitrogen, respectively. The addition of water and nutrients may have important contribution to the growth of the moss‐dominated biocrusts and the shrubs at the dune‐interdune interface, being responsible for the formation of ‘mantles and islands of fertility’ at the dune‐interdune interface. It also points to the possible role that biocrusts may play in agroforestry practices.

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Stability of water clusters: Implication for atmospheric hydrated clusters and aerosols

Salk

Lutrus

Hagen

1986

Atmospheric Environment (1967)

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The Role of Natural and Anthropogenic Pollutants in Cloud and Precipitation Formation

Cited by 9 publications

References 191 publications

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Essential nutritional ions show enrichment (K⁺, Mg²⁺) and depletion (NO₃⁻) in runoff water generated by biocrusts covering arid sand dunes under natural rain conditions

Stability of water clusters: Implication for atmospheric hydrated clusters and aerosols

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The Role of Natural and Anthropogenic Pollutants in Cloud and Precipitation Formation

Cited by 9 publications

References 191 publications

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Natural organic atmospheric aerosols of terrestrial origin

Essential nutritional ions show enrichment (K+, Mg2+) and depletion (NO3−) in runoff water generated by biocrusts covering arid sand dunes under natural rain conditions

Stability of water clusters: Implication for atmospheric hydrated clusters and aerosols

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Product

Resources

About

Essential nutritional ions show enrichment (K⁺, Mg²⁺) and depletion (NO₃⁻) in runoff water generated by biocrusts covering arid sand dunes under natural rain conditions