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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

The Use of High-resolution Infrared Thermography HRIT for the Study of Ice Nucleation and Ice Propagation in Plants
Published on: May 8, 2015
Intensification of ice nucleation observed in ocean ship emissions
E S Thomson1, D Weber2, H G Bingemer2
1Atmospheric Science, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden. erik.thomson@chem.gu.se.
Ship emissions significantly increase ice nucleating particles, impacting clouds and precipitation. This amplification is particularly crucial for sensitive regions like the Arctic.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Aerosol Science
- Cloud Physics
Background:
- Shipping emissions are a significant source of atmospheric aerosols, affecting climate, clouds, and air quality.
- Ice nucleating particles (INPs) play a critical role in cloud formation, precipitation, and climate regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ship emissions on the concentration and properties of ice nucleating particles.
- To assess the potential implications of ship-emitted INPs on regional and global scales, particularly in sensitive environments.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of atmospheric particles from a shipping channel near a major Scandinavian port.
- Measurement of the ice nucleating capacity of collected particles.
Main Results:
- Ship plumes were observed to significantly amplify background levels of ice nucleating particles.
- The measured INPs indicate a substantial increase compared to ambient levels.
Conclusions:
- Ship emissions can substantially enhance INP concentrations, with significant implications for cloud properties and precipitation.
- This amplification effect is most pronounced in regions with low background INP concentrations, such as the rapidly opening Arctic.
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