Particle Behavior in Siberia: A Summer Study

In the heart of Siberia, scientists took a close look at tiny particles in the air during summer. These tiny particles, called aerosols, can affect weather and climate. The study showed that many aerosols contained a lot of organic carbon, especially in smaller particles. When the air got humid, these particles absorbed water. At the Zotino Tall Tower Observatory (ZOTTO) in June 2013, scientists found that both small and large aerosol particles started absorbing water at around the same humidity level. However, they released water at different humidity levels. This difference was because smaller particles had more organic material, which slowed down water release.The study used special tools to analyze the particles. They found that the particles had unique shapes, like a core with a shell. The inner core was more likely to be inorganic, while the outer shell was rich in organic carbon. These particles also behaved differently when absorbing and releasing water, which can affect how they influence the climate.