CCN activation of oxalic and malonic acid test aerosols with the University of Vienna cloud condensation nuclei counter

The cloud droplet activation of monodisperse laboratory aerosols consisting of single organic and inorganic substances as well as a mixture of several substances was investigated using the University of Vienna cloud condensation nuclei counter (CCNC). The CCNC operates on the principle of a static thermal diffusion chamber. Water vapour supersaturations can be set in the range from 0.1% to 2%. Aqueous solutions of oxalic acid and malonic acid as well as solutions of inorganic compounds (NaCl and (NH₄)₂SO₄) were nebulized in a Collison atomizer and then passed through a closed-loop differential mobility particle spectrometer to produce monodispersed particles. An internally mixed aerosol consisting of ammonium sulphate, oxalic acid and malonic acid with relative concentrations resembling those found in cloud water at a mountain station [Löflund, Kasper-Giebl, Schuster, Giebl, Hitzenberger, Reischl et al. (2002) Atmos. Environ. 36, 1553] was also investigated for cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation. All these particles were activated at supersaturations expected from Köhler theory. Oxalic and malonic acid particles are therefore expected to be good atmospheric CCN both as pure particles and as internally mixed particles containing other chemical compounds.