Analysis of the water-soluble organic content of submicron aerosols formed from the in-situ replication of marine bubble bursting processes
Abstract
Both primary and secondary ocean-derived aerosols contribute significantly to the global aerosol population and thus to the Earth’s radiative budget. Primary marine aerosols are generated from sea spray. These primary marine aerosols contain sea salt as well as organic and inorganic matter from ocean biota incorporated into the aerosol during bubble-bursting processes near the ocean’s surface. Identifying and quantifying the sources and composition of the organic content in submicron primary marine aerosols will help in determining and modeling its climate impact related to aerosol direct radiative forcing and cloud nucleating properties. Onboard the RV Atlantis during the recent CalNex 2010 field mission, an attempt was made to measure in-situ the aerosols formed from bubble bursting processes in the ocean by bubbling particle-free air into the ocean through stainless steel frits. The resulting submicron aerosol samples were collected using a 2-stage impactor. Additionally, particulate organic carbon seawater samples representative of the local ocean water were collected. Both the seawater and simulated primary marine aerosol samples were analyzed for their water soluble organic content using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. The results were compared to gain knowledge about the direct transfer of organic matter from the ocean to the atmosphere. Ambient submicron aerosol samples were also collected throughout the research cruise and analyzed. Specific compounds targeted were carbohydrates, organic acids, and amines. Results from the analysis of seawater, aerosol generated from bubbled seawater, and ambient aerosol samples will be presented.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFM.A11F0149D
- Keywords:
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- 0305 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Aerosols and particles