Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Ice Generation and the Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena of Introducing Water to a Cold Bath of Brine
Published on: March 13, 2017
Bioaerosols are the dominant source of warm-temperature immersion-mode INPs and drive uncertainties in INP
Gavin C Cornwell1,2, Christina S McCluskey3,4, Thomas C J Hill3
1Atmospheric Science and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
Abstract:
Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are rare atmospheric aerosols that initiate primary ice formation, but accurately simulating their concentrations and variability in large-scale climate models remains a challenge. Doing so requires both simulating major particle sources and parameterizing their ice nucleation (IN) efficiency. Validating and improving model predictions of INP concentrations requires measuring their concentrations delineated by particle type. We present a method to speciate INP concentrations into contributions from dust, sea spray aerosol (SSA), and bioaerosol. Field campaign data from Bodega Bay, California, showed that bioaerosols were the primary source of INPs between -12° and -20°C, while dust was a minor source and SSA had little impact. We found that recent parameterizations for dust and SSA accurately predicted ambient INP concentrations. However, the model did not skillfully simulate bioaerosol INPs, suggesting a need for further research to identify major factors controlling their emissions and INP efficiency for improved representation in models.
Related Concept Videos
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Washing, Drying, and Ignition of Precipitates
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

