title: Rapid formation of sulfuric acid particles at near-atmospheric conditions.
abstract: We investigated the formation of new particles in a laboratory study, starting from H2SO4 produced in situ through the reaction of OH radicals with SO2. Newly formed particles were observed for H2SO4 concentrations above 7 x 10(6) per cubic centimeter. At 293 kelvin, a rough estimate yielded a nucleation rate of 0.3 to 0.4 particles per cubic centimeter per second for approximately 10(7) particles per cubic centimeter of H2SO4 (particle size >/= 3 nanometers). These findings are in agreement with observations from the atmosphere. The results demonstrate that under laboratory conditions similar to the atmosphere, particle formation occurs at atmospheric H2SO4 concentration levels.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institut für Troposphärenforschung e.V., Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. berndt@tropos.de
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berndt
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Böge
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stratmann
authors.forename: Jost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heintzenberg
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulmala