A parameterisation for the activation of cloud drops including the effects of semi-volatile organics

Abstract

We present a parameterisation of aerosol activation, including co-condensation of semi-volatile organics, for warm clouds that has applications in large-scale numerical models. The scheme is based on previously developed parameterisations that are in the literature, but has two main modifications. The first is that the total aerosol mass is modified by the condensation of organic vapours entering cloud base, whereas the second is that this addition of mass acts to modify the median diameter and the geometric standard deviation of the aerosol size distribution. It is found that the scheme is consistent with parcel model calculations of co-condensation under different regimes. Such a parameterisation may find use in evaluating important feedbacks in climate models. © Author(s) 2014.