A Microscopic View on Aerosols and Climate Change

Small particles in the air, called aerosols, can absorb and disperse the sun's rays directly and at the same time play an essential role in the formation of clouds. This gives them a major impact on the Earth's climate. In the atmosphere, particles act as a surface where water can condense at decreasing temperature and high humidity, just as when dew settles on a window pane. This causes the particles to grow, which can eventually produce clouds and raindrops. However, it is still not clear which types of particles are most effective as cloud formers, or whether oxidations or other chemical reactions can activate or deactivate particles as cloud formers.

We utilize a new method of doing electron microscopy on such particles, where we can study the processes on an almost atomic scale. This will allow us to show how particles' ability as cloud-forming agents are developed and changed under relevant conditions, which is essential for understanding their impact on climate.