Yvette Gramlich's PhD Research Unveils Arctic Aerosol Particles and Cloud Formation Secrets
Yvette Gramlich recently defended her PhD thesis at the Department of Environmental Science, unearthing significant findings about the chemical composition of aerosol particles and clouds in the Arctic. Her work has significant implications given the accelerated global warming in this region compared to the rest of the world, prompting questions about the processes underlying this warming and their connection to aerosol particles and clouds.
Yvette Gamlich and colleagues on Svalbard during the NASCENT campaign
Gramlich's research journey led her to Svalbard, where she leveraged data collected during the year-long NASCENT (The Ny-Ålesund Aerosol Cloud Experiment) campaign. Collaborating with her supervisor Claudia Mohr and colleagues Karolina Siegel and Sophie Haslett, she operated a mass spectrometer at the Zeppelin Observatory on Svalbard. This sophisticated instrument allowed them to scrutinize the chemical composition of aerosol particles and trace gases in great detail, shedding light on the origins of aerosols in the Arctic. It also provided a means to investigate the properties of aerosol particles involved in cloud formation.
Significance of Oceanic Sulfur Emissions in Cloud Formation
Earth's oceans are a substantial source of sulfur emissions, including dimethyl sulfide, released as a gas during phytoplankton blooms. In an intriguing discovery, Gramlich and her team identified a distinct annual cycle of methanesulfonic acid in aerosol particles measured at the Zeppelin Observatory. This pattern also extended to particles participating in cloud formation, suggesting that natural marine emissions, such as dimethyl sulfide, could play a pivotal role in providing aerosol particles essential for cloud formation during Arctic summers.
Impact of Biomass Burning on Arctic Aerosols
In addition to oceanic emissions, aerosol particles in the Arctic can originate from biomass burning. These particles can be transported from distant regions, like Eurasia. Gramlich's research delved into several biomass burning events to assess their influence on the characteristics of Arctic aerosols. By merging data on chemical composition with the origin of air masses, she discerned that emissions from fires in Eastern Europe could reach Svalbard, potentially affecting the aerosol population's ability to contribute to cloud formation.
In summary, Yvette Gramlich's PhD research represents a significant step in understanding the properties and sources of Arctic aerosol particles, particularly those linked to cloud formation throughout the year. Her work emphasizes the crucial roles of natural marine emissions and biomass burning in shaping the Arctic's atmospheric composition, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of climate change in this vulnerable region.
Last updated: October 17, 2023
Source: Department of Environmental Science