Evidence for a Novel Source of Oxygenated Volatile Organic Compounds in the Summer Time Marine Arctic Boundary Layer
Abstract
The formation of secondary organic aerosol from organic vapours is a poorly understood process and one that is very important for global climate. We present here ship-board observations of oxygenated organic volatile compounds (OVOCs) made by an acetate HR-ToF-CIMS during the NETCARE 2014 Amundsen campaign. These observations are consistent with a novel source of OVOCs to the marine boundary layer: photo-oxidative production at the sea surface microlayer and subsequent release to the atmosphere. Correlations between measurements of organic matter in the ocean and in the atmosphere made in the biologically productive Nares Strait, near the northernmost point of Canada, point to a marine source for the measured OVOCs. Correlations between the diurnal cycle of the OVOC measurements and the diurnal cycles of solar radiation and sea surface temperature point to a photo-mediated surface source. Finally, particle size and number observations showing aerosol growth suggest that these compounds may be important to growth. This newly identified source should be sought out in other likely areas in order to quantify its global impact on OVOC and SOA burdens in the atmosphere.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.A23K0389M
- Keywords:
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- 0305 Aerosols and particles;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTUREDE: 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTUREDE: 0368 Troposphere: constituent transport and chemistry;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE