Photo-nucleation theory of correlation of Stream-flow of four South American rivers with Sunspot Cycle

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the correlation between South American river stream-flow and the solar sunspot cycle is caused by a photo-nucleation mechanism involving ultraviolet radiation and charge-transfer complexes, based on Wilson's earlier findings.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hypothesis linking river stream-flow variations to solar activity through a specific photo-nucleation process.

Findings

Correlation observed between river flow and sunspot cycle.

Photo-nucleation mechanism plausibly explains the correlation.

Supports Wilson's earlier experimental findings.

Abstract

C.T.R.Wilson showed that when supersaturated water vapour was exposed to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or other sources in the presence of oxygen it immediately condensed to form an aerosol. This phenomenon was eventually explained as due to the formation of a charge-transfer complex H2O+O2-, whose existence was confirmed theoretically and subsequently established experimentally. It is proposed that the correlation recently discovered between the stream-flow of the Parana and three other rivers in South America and the solar sunspot cycle is due to the photo-nucleation mechanism investigated by Wilson.