Freezing characteristics of rain water drops with different solutes and their implication on anomalous ice crystal concentrations in clouds

Abstract

In an attempt to examine the probable cause for the reported anomaly between the ice crystal-and ice nucleus concentrations in clouds, the authors have carried out laboratory experiments on the freezing of rain water drops, under various conditions of temperature, with various solutes. Sulphates, when present in adequate concentration, have been found to accelerate remarkably the process of ice-formation in the drops. The contrast noticed has been greater at warmer temperatures. The ice-forming ability of silver iodide has also improved remarkably in the presence of sulphates. Chlorides, on the contrary, not only decelerated natural ice-formation in the drops but also deactivated silver iodide. Based on certain considerations, the features observed have been interpreted to account for at least part of the anomalous ice crystal concentrations reported in clouds.