Melting ice drives previously unknown natural process that seeds Arctic cloud formation

A previously unknown process that seeds cloud formation over the Arctic is driven by melting sea ice, but what effect could it have on future climate change?

Researchers discover a new process that could impact the climate by altering cloud cover, sunlight reflection, and future climate change. Image: Adobe.

As climate change melts the Arctic ice, its exposed edges are revealing a previously unknown natural processes that is increasing the number of cloud-forming particles in the region.

These particles could have a significant impact on the climate by altering cloud cover, sunlight reflection, and future climate change.

Arctic ice melt releases cloud seeding particles

Led by the University of Birmingham, the study provides the first real-world evidence that at the intersection between Arctic sea ice and open ocean, marine life and sunlight combine to release a chemical mixture that ‘seeds’ the sky with cloud-forming particles.

A blend of naturally occurring iodine, sulphur and organic compounds are released to create new atmospheric particles. Near the ice edge, the number of particles capable of forming cloud droplets rose fifty-fold in a day.

And as warmer temperatures continue to melt the ice, more of the ice edge is exposed and more particles released, which can alter cloud cover and affect the Earth’s radiation balance.

“Our findings provide the first real-world validation of a recently identified atmospheric chemistry mechanism involving iodine oxoacids and sulfuric acid,” said Dr James Brean, Assistant Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry at Birmingham. “Until now,

Original Record.

This archived record authored by ‘Kerry Taylor-Smith’ at ‘METEORED (Your Weather)’ was recovered from data set:

https://www.yourweather.co.uk/news/science/melting-sea-ice-drives-previously-unknown-natural-process-that-seeds-cloud-formation-in-the-arctic.html