HR: 0800h
AN: A51B-0045 [Abstracts]
TI: Modeling studying on ice formation by bacteria in warm-based convective cloud
AU: * Sun, J
A51B-0045
AF: Departments of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal,
Montreal, H3A 2K6
AB:
Bacteria have been recognized as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and certain bacteria, commonly found in plants, have
exhibited capacity to act as ice nuclei (IN) at temperatures as warm as -2 §C. These ice nucleating bacteria are readily
disseminated into the atmosphere and have been observed in clouds at altitudes of several kilometres. It is noteworthy that
over 20 years ago, one assumed the possibility of bacterial transport and their importance into cloud formation process, rain
and precipitation, as well as causing disease in plants and animal kingdom. We used a 1-D cumulus cloud model with the
CCOPE 19th July 1981 case and the observed field profile of bacterial concentration, to simulate the significance of bacteria
as IN through condensation freezing mechanism. In this paper, we will present our results on the role of bacteria as active
ice nuclei in the developing stage of cumulus clouds, and their potential significance in atmospheric sciences.
DE: 0320 Cloud physics and chemistry
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005