The air-ice interface of frozen water (snow, sea ice, etc.) is a region where important atmospheric processes are believed to occur. This nanometer to micron thick zone has physico-chemical properties which are unique to the interface and depend on (among other things) temperature and the presence of impurities. Using glancing-angle laser Raman and fluorescence spectroscopies, we have followed the exclusion of dissolved salts and organic species to the interface during freezing and the deposition of atmospheric acids to the air-ice interface. These processes depend quite sensitively on the nature of the frozen water (salty vs. fresh) but not so strongly on temperature. I will present several recent results and attempt to relate these laboratory measurements to real environmental ice surfaces.

<i>A pinch of salt makes all the difference:</i> In situ molecular spectroscopy of chemistry at air-ice interfaces

245th National Meeting (2013)

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A pinch of salt makes all the difference: In situ molecular spectroscopy of chemistry at air-ice interfaces