Aerosols in the mediterranean region and their role in cloud formation

Abstract

The physical and chemical characteristics of aerosols are considered as critical for nucleation processes, cloud formation and evolution. The Mediterranean Region is well known for the mixture of aerosols from different origins such as desert dust, sea salt and anthropogenic and biomass burning. Sea salt is in relatively small quantities compared to dust amounts during episodes but its constant presence plays a key role in cloud formation, especially concerning the initial stage. In this work we discuss modeling results related to nucleation processes and cloud formation in the Eastern Mediterranean. Emphasis is given in the impact of sea salt on Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) and orographic cloud formation. The role of other sources of aerosols is also discussed. The modeling tool used for the simulations is the RAMS/ICLAMS fully-coupled modeling system. Satellite data and in situ measurements have been also used for a more comprehensive analysis.