Dimethylsulfide (DMS) from marine phytoplankton is a key source of atmospheric sulfur, leading to the formation of sulfuric acid (SA) and methanesulfonic acid (MSA). While SA is known to help form new particles that can become cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), the role of MSA was less understood. Recent experiments at CERN’s CLOUD chamber reveal that MSA can nucleate with ammonia at temperatures below -10°C, similar to SA. MSA and SA can work together to form molecular clusters with ammonia, enhancing particle growth even at low ammonia levels. This suggests that in cool marine regions, MSA could significantly boost nucleation and growth rates, potentially increasing CCN concentrations, especially in polar areas. These findings highlight MSA’s potential impact on climate, which is not yet considered in global climate models.
QUESTION: How might understanding the role of MSA in cloud formation influence future climate change predictions?
