Cloud condensation nuclei droplet growth kinetics of ultrafine particles during anthropogenic nucleation events

Evolution of the cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) activity of 36 ± 4 nm diameter anthropogenic aerosol particles at a water supersaturation of 1.0 ± 0.1% is examined for particle nucleation and growth. During the early stages of one event, relatively few of the anthropogenic particles at 36 nm were CCN active and their growth rates by water condensation were delayed relative to ammonium sulphate particles. As the event progressed, the particle size distribution evolved to larger sizes and the relative numbers of particles at 36 nm that were CCN active increased until all the 36 nm particles were activating at the end of the event. Based on the chemistry of larger particles and the results from an aerosol chemical microphysics box model, the increase in CCN activity of the particles was most likely the result of the condensation of sulphate in this case. Despite the increased CCN activity, a delay was observed in the initial growth of these particles into cloud droplets, which persisted even when the aerosol was most CCN active later in the afternoon. Simulations show that the delay in water uptake is explained by a reduction of the mass accommodation coefficient assuming that the composition of the 36 nm particles is the same as the measured composition of the 60–100 nm particles.

► Field study of water uptake and droplet growth kinetics on 36 nm particles.
► Soon after anthropogenic particle nucleation event, particles were not CCN active.
► Particles become more CCN active later on, suggesting sulphate condensation.
► Delays in the initial water uptake suggest organic film inhibits droplet growth.
► Both sulphate and organics are important for growth of particles up to CCN sizes.