The studies on the role of aerosols in the electric field variations formation in the surface atmosphere

The atmospheric-electrical measurements results obtained from 2012 to 2017 at the Laboratory of Geophysical Research of the Department of Physics of the Southern Federal University are discussed. Long-term studies allow us to typify the observed atmospheric electrical profiles. According to measurements of the potential gradient in the surface layer, the form of electric field vertical profiles indicates the presence of negative space charge layers in the lower atmosphere. A possible interpretation of their appearance is based on the fact that the volumetric charges of light ions near the earth are adsorbed by aerosols. Charge accumulation on aerosols promotes the long-term presence of charged layers in the surface atmosphere, which affect the spatial distribution of the electric field and its magnitude. Measurement of aerosols concentration of submicron and micron ranges in expeditions after 2012 supplemented the measuring complex. The results of regression and dispersion analysis of the potential gradient connection with the content of aerosols in the surface atmosphere are presented. The role of humidity in the aerosol formation and the possible indirect influence of this factor on the atmospheric electric field variations are considered.