Bioaerosols Influence Ice Formation in Arctic Clouds
Bioaerosols Influence Ice Formation in Arctic Clouds
US · Published Feb 16, 2026
Bioaerosols from boreal forests and tundra significantly contribute to ice-nucleating particles (INPs) in Arctic clouds.
Warm air mass intrusions in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas transport bioaerosols northward, affecting cloud microphysics.
Understanding bioaerosol impacts is crucial for improving climate predictions and assessing climate change effects on the Arctic.
Bioaerosols crucial for ice-nucleating particles over Arctic
Recent research highlights the crucial role of bioaerosols from terrestrial ecosystems in the formation of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) over the Arctic Ocean. These INPs are vital for cloud formation, especially for mixed-phase clouds (MPCs), which contain both ice crystals and supercooled water droplets. A study during the MR22-06C research cruise on the R/V Mirai involved extensive aerosol sampling and analysis, revealing that bioaerosols from boreal forests and tundra contribute to INPs, influencing the ice and water balance of MPCs. The study also detected warm air masses in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, indicating airmass intrusions from southern latitudes. This research offers insights into the complex interactions between aerosols and cloud formation in the Arctic, essential for understanding climate dynamics in this region.
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