Comment on egusphere-2025-5976

Abstract. In this article, we present the results of the chemical and microbiological characterization of clouds water collected at Monte Cimone (CMN) in Italy at 2165 m a.s.l. during the MC3 (Molecular Composition of Clouds at Mt. Cimone) campaign, which took place in October 2024. Twenty-six cloud samples are analyzed. Chemical analyses, including ions, oxidants, trace metals, and microbiological analyses with cell counting, are performed. The chemical characterization and back-trajectories analysis reveal that Mt. Cimone is a site under the influence of marine air masses, coming mainly from southern Europe and from the Mediterranean region. During the measurement campaign, 3 sampling periods are identified: period (1) October 07–10, with air masses mainly originating from Spain and Atlantic Ocean with a majority of Cl− and Na+ that are characteristics of marine origin; period (2) October 16–18 with air masses originating from North of Africa, impacted by a Saharan dust event with a high concentration in Ca2+; period (3) October 22–23 marked by air masses originated from southern Italy under polluted influence with a high concentration in NO3−. This study paves the way to further scientific campaigns intended to better comprehend cloud water composition at Mt. Cimone.