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Underestimation of Anthropogenic Bromoform Released into the Environment?
Etienne Quivet1, Patrick Höhener1, Brice Temime-Roussel1
1Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13003 Marseille, France.
Environmental Science & Technology
|January 17, 2022
Summary
Industrial activities release significant amounts of bromoform (CHBr3) into the atmosphere, far exceeding natural levels. These findings highlight the need to account for anthropogenic bromoform sources in global emission estimates.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Oceanography
Background:
- Bromoform (CHBr3) is a very-short-lived substance (VSLS) crucial for tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry.
- Existing models primarily consider natural marine sources of CHBr3, potentially underestimating atmospheric bromine.
- Anthropogenic sources, including industrial discharges, are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to CHBr3 emissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify bromoform (CHBr3) levels in water and air near a major industrialized area with significant chlorinated seawater discharge.
- To investigate the correlation between CHBr3 concentrations and environmental factors.
- To assess the contribution of anthropogenic sources to atmospheric CHBr3 flux estimates.
Main Methods:
- Field campaigns conducted over three years in a highly industrialized coastal region.
- Real-time and offline measurements using proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD).
- Analysis correlated CHBr3 levels with water characteristics, meteorological conditions, and hydrological gradients.
Main Results:
- Bromoform concentrations in water reached 34.6 μg L−1, 100-10,000 times higher than natural levels.
- Airborne bromoform levels peaked at 3.9 ppbv, approximately 100 times the previously reported maximum.
- Elevated CHBr3 levels were linked to chlorinated seawater discharge and specific environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Industrial chlorinated seawater discharge is a substantial anthropogenic source of bromoform (CHBr3).
- Current global flux estimates may overlook significant contributions from industrial CHBr3 sources.
- Further research and monitoring near industrial outfalls are crucial for accurate atmospheric bromine assessments.
Keywords:
atmospheredisinfection byproductselectrochlorinationmodelingproton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometryMore Related Videos
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