A laboratory study of smoke from controlled combustion of a sample of Kuwait crude oil will measure cloud condensation nucleus/condensation nucleus concentrations and ratios; composition, particle size and fractal dimensions. Similiar analysis will also be undertaken of field samples of smoke collected by the Meteorological Research Flight in early April. Results will be applied to possible cloud interactions of the soot to provide a basis to estimate the removal rate by cloud and precipitation and radiation changes. This study will suggest priorities for flight measurements to assess the climatic aspects of the Kuwait oil fires.
