Estimation of submicron aerosols influence on the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere surface layer

Abstract

Abstract The analysis of the results of complex expeditionary measurements in the surface atmosphere, some of which has recently been published, is continued. Measurements of the Geophysical research laboratory of Southern Federal University, Faculty of Physics during the joint expeditions with Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS) at scientific stations IAP RAS: in 2017- on the territory of the Tsimlyansk Scientific Station in the steppe zone, and in 2018 and 2019 – on the Kislovodsk High-Mountain Scientific Station, located on the alpine plateau Shadzhatmaz, 2100 m above the sea level. Quantitative relationships between the polar conductivities of the surface atmosphere and the concentration of submicron aerosols for various physical and geographical conditions are obtained. The observed decrease in polar conductivities reversely proportional to aerosol concentration is due to a decrease in the concentration of small atmospheric ions caused by their adsorption by aerosol particles. The empirical regression series are approximated by a logarithmic function with a high accuracy of the approximation. The presence of a causal relationship between the investigated values is confirmed by the dispersion analysis. The observed differences in the regression equations parameters are explained by different conditions during periods of observation.