Our research focuses on aerosol particles and clouds, which play a central role in the Earth’s climate and affect air quality and human health. Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in air, originating from both natural and human activities, and they influence the atmosphere by interacting with radiation and by acting as nuclei for cloud droplets and ice crystals. According to the IPCC, these processes remain one of the largest uncertainties in climate predictions.

We investigate the physical and chemical properties of aerosols and their interactions with clouds using a combination of laboratory experiments and field observations. Our facilities allow us to study atmospheric processing, transformations, and cloud droplet activation under controlled conditions. We measure aerosol size, composition, optical properties, and hygroscopicity to better understand their role in climate.

Our work also addresses emerging topics such as airborne microplastics and bioaerosols. We explore the ocean as a potential source of microplastic particles through sea spray and study how biological particles interact with atmospheric water.

By improving our understanding of aerosols and clouds, we aim to better quantify the impact of natural processes and human activities on climate and the atmosphere.

The Aerosol and Cloud Physics group is dedicated to fundamental aerosol research, with current work focusing on the following topics:

Scientific Staff 

Lead  

Bernadette Rosati [research database FIS] e-mail: bernadette.rosati(at)boku.ac.at 

Vice: Pavle Arsenovic [research database FIS] e-mail: pavle.arsenovic(at)boku.ac.at 

 

Staff 

Christian Gützer e-mail: christian.guetzer(at)boku.ac.at 

 

PhD-students 

Adrian Loy [research database FIS] e-mail: adrian.loy(at)boku.ac.at