Articles | Volume 26, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9657-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-9657-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 09 Jul 2026
| 09 Jul 2026
Aircraft-derived particle fluxes distinguish entrainment zone and decoupled layer nucleation in marine boundary layers
Ajmal Rasheeda Satheesh
Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Markus D. Petters
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Short summary
Using aircraft data collected over the Atlantic Ocean, we discovered that new particles form regularly in marine air at two different heights, challenging the belief that sea salt prevents this process. These particles can grow to form cloud droplets, affecting Earth's climate. We found particles forming at two heights: where upper atmosphere air enters the ocean boundary layer and where the well-mixed surface air meets the stable air layer above. This discovery will help improve climate models.
Using aircraft data collected over the Atlantic Ocean, we discovered that new particles form...
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