Activation of Atmospheric Particles as Ice Nuclei in Cold and Dry Air

Abstract

Ice nucleation and subsequent phase equilibrium in water held in the micro-capillaries of atmospheric particles are examined. It is found that ice formed in the micro-capillaries of certain particles may exist in equilibrium with a dry atmosphere, where particles preactivated by Fournier's effect are expected to lose their activity. A possible mechanism of activation of the particles as ice nuclei in a cold dry atmosphere is suggested.