Satellite Retrieval of Cloud Condensation Nuclei Concentrations in Marine Stratocumulus by Using Clouds as CCN Chambers

A new methodology for the satellite retrieval of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in shallow marine boundary layer clouds is developed and validated in this study. The methodology is based on retrieving cloud base drop concentrations (N_d) and updrafts (W_b), which are used for calculating the supersaturation (S). The N_d is then defined as the CCN at that S. The accuracy of the satellite retrievals was validated against ship-borne measurements of CCN done in recent campaigns in the Southern Oceans (ACE-SPACE, MARCUS, & PEGASO [2015–2018]) and in the subtropics (MAGIC [2012–2013]). The satellite-retrieved N_d and S at cloud base were validated against the measured CCN at sea surface. The main findings show that (a) coupled clouds have good agreement between satellite retrievals and ship measurements of CCN; (b) the best agreement is achieved when using the brightest 10% of the clouds and accounting for their adiabatic fraction; (c) most of the decoupled clouds had much lower CCN than were present at the underlying surface. This means that most CCN in the coupled clouds originate from the surface and not from the free troposphere. This study validates the satellite retrievals of CCN and allows us to further quantify the relationships between CCN and cloud microphysical properties.