Editing Cloud albedo (section)

== Cloud condensation nuclei and cloud albedo ==
On a microscopic scale, clouds are formed through the [[condensation]] of water on [[cloud condensation nuclei]]. These nuclei are [[Aerosol|aerosols]] such as dust or sea salt but also include certain forms of [[pollution]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Hay |first=William W. |title=Experimenting on a small planet: a history of scientific discoveries, a future of climate change and global warming |date=2016 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-27404-1 |edition=Second |location=Switzerland |pages=355–371}}</ref> Nuclei come from a variety of natural or [[Human impact on the environment|anthropogenic]] sources. For example dust can arise from windblown desserts or from human agricultural or construction activities, similarly even pollutants like [[VOCs]] or sulfates may be emitted by plant life or volcanic activity respectively.<ref name=":1" /> The size, concentration, structure, and chemical composition of these particles influence cloud albedo.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal |last1=Kuniyal |first1=Jagdish Chandra |last2=Guleria |first2=Raj Paul |date=2019 |title=The current state of aerosol-radiation interactions: A mini review |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2018.12.010 |journal=Journal of Aerosol Science |volume=130 |pages=45–54 |bibcode=2019JAerS.130...45K |doi=10.1016/j.jaerosci.2018.12.010 |issn=0021-8502 |s2cid=104356406}}</ref><ref name=":03">Lohmann, U.; Feichter, J. (2005). [https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/5/715/2005/ "Global indirect aerosol effects: a review"]. ''Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics''. '''5''': 715–737.</ref> For example, [[black carbon]] aerosol particles absorb more solar radiation and [[sulfate aerosol|sulfate aerosols]] reflects more solar radiation. Smaller particles form smaller cloud droplets, which tend to decrease precipitation efficiency of a cloud and increasing cloud albedo.<ref name=":22" /> Additionally, more cloud condensation nuclei increases the size of a cloud and the amount of reflected solar radiation.<ref name=":03" />