Relationships between electrical activity, precipitation and aerosol life cycle in the Amazon

• Grant number: 20/11000-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2021
• End date: September 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Rachel Ifanger Albrecht
• Grantee: Carolina de Aguiar Monteiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/17047-0 - Aerosol and clouds life cycles in Amazonia: biogenic emissions, biomass burning and impacts on ecosystem, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

The electrical activity of storms is still the least understood source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and recent studies show that the typical electrical activity of summer storms injects NOx emissions comparable to those of anthropogenic sources into the planetary boundary layer. NOx is one of the components in the production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles, which are small (ultra-fine) particles, but have been shown to be important sources of cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) in deep convective systems in the Amazon, invigorating the convection. This research project will study the importance of electrical activity in the life cycle of aerosols and precipitation in the Amazon, a component of possible feedback from the climate system not yet addressed in the literature. More specifically, the relationships between NOx concentrations, physical characteristics of precipitation, electrical activity of clouds and distribution of aerosols and CCNs will be studied before, during and after deep convection events in the Amazon. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MONTEIRO, Carolina de Aguiar. Relationships between electrical activity, nitrogen oxides and ultrafine particles in Central Amazonia during the rainy season. 2022. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Astronômico e Geofísico (IAG/SBD) São Paulo.