Anomalous Noble Gas Solubility in Liquid Cloud Water: Possible Implications for Noble Gas Temperatures and Cloud Physics

The noble gas temperature climate proxy is an established tool that has previously been applied to determine the source of groundwater recharge, however, unanswered questions remain. In fractured media (e.g., volcanic islands) recharge can be so rapid significantly depleted in heavy gases, indicating water retained concentrations from higher elevations. Previous studies rain samples have confirmed a match patterns seen fractured-rock for gases along with significant helium excess. Snow shown credible both excess and observed pattern. Here, liquid cloud were collected at two mountainous sites analyzed concentrations. A pattern like rainwater was found. However, analysis diffusive uptake into demonstrates droplets 1 mm diameter smaller should constant solubility equilibrium atmosphere. To explain this, we present novel hypothesis relies on assumption consists types molecule clusters bounded by hydrogen bonds: low-density ice-like structure high-density condensed structure. this model, pressure gradient near surface droplet resulting tension could allow formation layer rich low density clusters. This depletion samples.