Reaction to the interactive comment by Anonymous Referee #1 We would like to thank this referee for the constructive comments. Hereby we present the authors reply (AR) to the referee’s comments (RC). (1) RC: The paper entitled “Understanding runoff processes in a semi-arid environment through

Interactive comment on “Coupled modeling of hydrologic and geochemical fluxes for prediction of solid phase evolution in the Biosphere 2 hillslope experiment ” by K. Dontsova et al. K. Dontsova et al.

19 July 2007 Understanding the contribution of secondary organic aerosol constituents to the am-bient particle concentration is a very important topic to advance our understanding of particle related adverse effects on human health and climate. This manuscript in-troduces a new concept "Potential Aerosol Mass " and methodology to measure the potential aerosol mass that can be added to the ambient concentration through sec-ondary reactions with oxidants in the atmosphere. The new methodology is desirable for several reasons including the possibility to do field measurements outdoors and to study the potential aerosol mass in emissions from single natural and anthropogenic sources. The paper is well writen and the author team seems to have a high level of under-standing of the critical processes affecting the new concenpt. I would recommend publication as a full peer-review paper after the comments and suggestions described here are taken into account.

This manuscript presents long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol volatility in a forested site in Finland. A volatility differential mobility particle sizer (VDMPS) is used together with a twin-DMPS to measure aerosol mass fraction remaining (MFR) as a function of VDMPS operating temperature. Trends in the MFR are interpreted by comparisons with other data including black carbon measurements from an aethalometer, various environmental and meteorological variables, and AMS non-refractory aerosol composition measurements. A significant correlation between MFR and black carbon mass fraction is observed for all seasons except summer. Correlation between MFR and anthropogenic tracers such as CO, SO2, and NOx as well poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are used to suggest a connection between non-BC MFR and anthropogenic influences. Correlations between non-BC MFR and aerosol organic and nitrate content observed in clean forest-influenced air during fall is used to suggest the existence of low volatility organic nitrates in the aerosol. The paper is well written and the measurements provided are of interest, particularly since they cover a long time period and several seasons. The interpretation of the data, however, requires presentation of more supporting details and analysis and I recommend that this manuscript be published after the specific issues raised below are appropriately addressed. Major comments

Interactive comment on “On the validity of representing hurricanes as Carnot heat engine ” by

G. E. Bodeker et al.

remarks and discussion.

We gratefully acknowledge helpful comments from

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dust microphysical and optical properties from the