Overview of the biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate interactions (BACCI) studies

Here we present research methods and results obtained by the Nordic Centre of Excellence Biosphere–Aerosol–Cloud–Climate Interactions (BACCI) between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2007. The centre formed an integrated attempt to understand multiple, but interlinked, biosphere–atmosphere interactions applying inter and multidisciplinary approaches in a coherent manner. The main objective was to study the life cycle of aerosol particles and their importance on climate change. The foundation in BACCI was a thorough understanding of physical, meteorological, chemical and ecophysiological processes, providing a unique possibility to study biosphere–aerosol–cloud–climate interactions. Continuous measurements of atmospheric concentrations and fluxes of aerosol particles and precursors and, CO2/aerosol trace gas interactions in different field stations (e.g. SMEAR) were supported by models of particle thermodynamics, transport and dynamics, atmospheric chemistry, boundary layer meteorology and forest growth. The main progress was related to atmospheric new particle formation, existence of clusters, composition of nucleation mode aerosol particles, chemical precursors of fresh aerosol particles, the contribution of biogenic aerosol particles on the global aerosol load, transport, transformation and deposition of aerosol particles, thermodynamics related to aerosol particles and cloud droplets, and the microphysics and chemistry of cloud droplet formation.