Airborne measurements of the composition of aerosol particles and cloud residuals from Cirrus and Contrails using particle mass spectrometry

The presentation focuses on results from airborne measurements of cloud residual particles and ambient aerosols using the hybrid mass spectrometer ERICA during the ND-MAX flight campaign. The campaign aimed at the detection of aircraft exhaust and contrails affecting the global climate. The results indicate that the optical detection unit is not suitable to detect small particles of aircraft exhaust. However, we observe particles inside contrails, leading to the assumption, that large particles from background air contributed to the formation of aircraft contrails. Furthermore, we found sea spray particles up to altitudes of 12km which may be involved in ice cloud processes.