Measurement and modelling of cloudwater deposition to a snow-covered forest canopy

Dry Deposition of Atmospheric Aerosols: Approaches, Observations, and Mechanisms

Aerosols are liquid or solid particles suspended in the atmosphere, typically with diameters on the order of nanometers to microns. These particles impact air quality and the radiative balance of the planet. Dry deposition is a key process for the removal of aerosols from the atmosphere and plays an important role in controlling the lifetime of atmospheric aerosols. Dry deposition is driven by turbulence and shows a strong dependence on particle size. This review summarizes the mechanisms behind aerosol dry deposition, including measurement approaches, field observations, and modeling studies. We identify several gaps in the literature, including deposition over the cryosphere (i.e., snow and ice surfaces) and the ocean; in addition, we highlight new techniques to measure black carbon fluxes. While recent advances in aerosol instrumentation have enhanced our understanding of aerosol sources and chemistry, dry deposition and other loss processes remain poorly investigated.

Cloud water deposition at a high-elevation site in the Vosges Mountains (France)

The importance of cloud water deposition fluxes to a high-elevation site in the Vosges Mountains (France) has been studied. An existing one-dimensional cloud water deposition model has been adapted to site conditions. The adaptation of the main parameters has been tested and is discussed. These tests illustrate the small influence of the surface area index (SAI) and the roughness length on cloud water deposition and the negligible contribution of sedimentation compared to impaction of cloud droplets. Model input data, including cloud water composition, liquid water content (LWC) and wind speed, have been collected over a 1-year period and are used to evaluate annual cloud deposition fluxes of major ions and trace metals. The calculations indicate that the hydrologic input by cloud water (55.5 mm year(-1)) is negligible compared to the input by rainwater (1265 mm year(-1)). However, due to the higher concentrations in cloud water, the deposition fluxes of cloud water represent 10-28% of the total wet deposition (rain + cloud deposition) for major ions and 50% or higher for trace elements.