Precipitation Modification by Ionization
R. G. Harrison, Keri Nicoll, Maarten H. P. Ambaum, Graeme Marlton, Karen Aplin, M. Lockwood
Abstract
Rainfall is hypothesized to be influenced by droplet charge, which is related to the global circuit current flowing through clouds. This is tested through examining a major global circuit current increase following the release of artificial radioactivity. Significant changes occurred in daily rainfall distribution in the Shetland Islands, away from pollution. Daily rainfall changed by 24%, and local clouds optically thickened, within the nuclear weapons test period. This supports expectations of electrically induced microphysical changes in liquid water clouds from additional ionization.
Topics & Concepts
IonizationEnvironmental sciencePrecipitationCurrent (fluid)Atmospheric sciencesPollutionMeteorologyPhysicsOceanographyGeologyBiologyEcologyIonQuantum mechanicsLightning and Electromagnetic PhenomenaNuclear Issues and DefenseRadioactive contamination and transfer