Nanoparticles in the Amazon

 


Atmospheric aerosol particles are an important part of earth's water cycle. Scientists are studying aerosol particles in the Amazon rainforest. This new study reveals that rain creates bursts of newly formed nanoparticles in the air above the rainforest canopy.

The research was published in the journal Nature Geoscience. 

Heavy rainfall occurs during the wet season in the Amazon. For development of clouds and precipitation, tiny particles called condensation nuclei are necessary for water vapor to form cloud droplets. A team from around the world is studying this nuclei. The team is from Germany, Brazil, Sweden and China.

There is an observatory in the middle of the Amazon rainforest in North Brazil. It is equipped with sophisticated instruments and 325m towers. It is called the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO).

Researchers discovered that concentrations of nanoparticles are highest just above the canopy. Christopher Pohlker is co-author and research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. He reports, "This gradient persists through-out the wet season, indicating continuous particle formation in the canopy and an upward flux of newly formed particles that can grow by further uptake of low volatile molecules and serve as cloud condensation nuclei."

Low volatile molecules are involved in the creation of oxygen and nitrogen containing organic compounds. These compounds are formed upon oxidation of isoprene, terpenes and other volatile organic compounds. Previous studies had shown a new particle formation in the outflow of convective clouds, which stay in the upper troposphere. The study suggested a downward flow rather than an upward flow of newly formed nanoparticles. 

Ulrich Poschi is co-author and director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. He summarizes, "Our findings imply a paradigm shift in the scientific understanding of interactions between the rainforest, aerosols, clouds and precipitation in the Amazon."


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