Dry Deposition of Atmospheric Aerosols: Approaches, Observations, and Mechanisms

Abstract

Aerosols are liquid or solid particles suspended in the atmosphere, typically with diameters on the order of nanometers to microns. These particles impact air quality and the radiative balance of the planet. Dry deposition is a key process for the removal of aerosols from the atmosphere and plays an important role in controlling the lifetime of atmospheric aerosols. Dry deposition is driven by turbulence and shows a strong dependence on particle size. This review summarizes the mechanisms behind aerosol dry deposition, including measurement approaches, field observations, and modeling studies. We identify several gaps in the literature, including deposition over the cryosphere (i.e., snow and ice surfaces) and the ocean; in addition, we highlight new techniques to measure black carbon fluxes. While recent advances in aerosol instrumentation have enhanced our understanding of aerosol sources and chemistry, dry deposition and other loss processes remain poorly investigated.