The role of highly oxygenated organic molecules in the Boreal aerosol-cloud-climate system

Pontus Roldin, Mikael Ehn, Theo Kurtén, Tinja Olenius, Matti P. Rissanen, Nina Sarnela, Jonas Elm, Pekka Rantala, Liqing Hao, Noora Hyttinen, Liine Heikkinen, Douglas R. Worsnop, Lukas Pichelstorfer, Carlton Xavier, Petri Clusius, Emilie Öström, Tuukka Petäjä, Markku Kulmala, Hanna Vehkamäki, Annele VirtanenIlona Riipinen, Michael Boy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

108 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Over Boreal regions, monoterpenes emitted from the forest are the main precursors for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and the primary driver of the growth of new aerosol particles to climatically important cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Autoxidation of monoterpenes leads to rapid formation of Highly Oxygenated organic Molecules (HOM). We have developed the first model with near-explicit representation of atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) and HOM formation. The model can reproduce the observed NPF, HOM gas-phase composition and SOA formation over the Boreal forest. During the spring, HOM SOA formation increases the CCN concentration by ~10 % and causes a direct aerosol radiative forcing of −0.10 W/m2. In contrast, NPF reduces the number of CCN at updraft velocities < 0.2 m/s, and causes a direct aerosol radiative forcing of +0.15 W/m2. Hence, while HOM SOA contributes to climate cooling, NPF can result in climate warming over the Boreal forest.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4370
JournalNature Communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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