CERN CLOUD Collaboration

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As of September 2026: Source of key experimental evidence on MSA-driven new particle formation

A wave of 2026 studies shows that ocean biology — not just wind and sea salt — is seeding marine clouds. Phytoplankton blooms release organic compounds that turn into cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), particles that water vapor needs to form droplets. More CCN means more, smaller droplets, and clouds that reflect more sunlight back to space. This is natural cloud brightening, operating at planetary scale.

Updated Sep 20