Cloud Condensation Nuclei

Accurate knowledge of atmospheric CCN and their activation processes is highly important for questions dealing with the indirect effect of anthropogenic particles on global climate. CCN research therefore has crucial applications in the key research area. Our research currently focuses on the question of the general abundance of CCN in an urban environment and on whether knowledge of size distributions and chemical composition is sufficient to adequately model CCN activation in such an environment. Our work comprises the investigation of CCN activation of laboratory and ambient aerosols, including long-term monitoring, chemical analysis with emphasis on the mixing state and possible kinetic effects of organic material, and non-equilibrium aspects of CCN activation.