PNNL

Abstract

We review the chemical physics of nucleation and its connection to atmospheric aerosol radiative forcing. The scientific community has demanded a comprehensive investigation of aerosol radiative forcing of climate. Particular emphasis has been placed on gaining the fundamental knowledge necessary to accurately predict aerosol formation and growth and their subsequent radiative affects on climate. The chemical physics of the molecular clusters underlying nucleation will be outlined and future developments towards modeling multi-component nucleation in the atmosphere discussed. This work was supported by the Division of Chemical Sciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and calculations were performed in part using the Molecular Science Computing Facility in the William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The EMSL is funded by the DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research. Battelle operates Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for DOE.