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World-wide Source of Leaf-derived Freezing Nuclei

Abstract

INITIATION of precipitation over much of the Earth's surface is believed to be intimately related to the development of ice in supercooled clouds. The source, composition and number of small particles (ice nuclei) initiating freezing events in natural clouds are poorly understood. These particles represent a very small fraction of the total aerosol in the atmosphere. The material most frequently held to represent the majority of ice nuclei are clays, especially kaolin.

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References

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SCHNELL, R., VALI, G. World-wide Source of Leaf-derived Freezing Nuclei. Nature 246, 212–213 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/246212a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/246212a0

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