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Ocean-atmosphere interactions: Different organic components across Pacific and Southern Oceans
Jiyi Jang1, Jiyeon Park1, Jongkwan Park2
1Korea Polar Research Institute, 26, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 23, 2023
Summary
Ocean organic matter composition, influenced by latitude, affects atmospheric sea spray aerosol. Polar sea ice aerosols differ significantly from open ocean aerosols, highlighting the need for distinct monitoring strategies.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
Background:
- Sea spray aerosol (SSA) significantly impacts cloud formation and climate.
- The influence of marine microbiota on SSA fluxes remains under active investigation.
- Understanding the chemical composition of organic matter (OM) in aerosols is crucial for climate modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular-level chemical properties of OM in oceans, sea ice, and aerosols.
- To explore the latitudinal gradients of OM composition from the Pacific Ocean to the Southern Ocean.
- To determine how ocean and sea ice OM composition influences atmospheric aerosol OM.
Main Methods:
- In situ ship-borne measurements were conducted along a 15,000 km transect.
- Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to analyze OM.
- Optical characteristics were measured to complement chemical analysis.
Main Results:
- Pelagic Pacific Ocean surface OM was dominated by lignin-like (24±5%) and humic materials (57±8%).
- Atmospheric aerosols showed a gradient: lignin-like OM (31±9%) in coastal/pelagic Pacific, while lipid-like (23±16%) and protein-like (11±10%) OM dominated the sea ice-influenced Southern Ocean.
- Ocean OM composition varied with latitude, impacting atmospheric aerosol OM.
Conclusions:
- Ocean OM composition, varying with latitude, directly influences atmospheric aerosol OM.
- Sympagic (sea ice-influenced) primary marine aerosols in polar regions require distinct treatment compared to pelagic aerosols.
- Global-scale OM monitoring is essential for understanding ocean-ice-atmosphere interactions.
Keywords:
Latitudinal distributionMarine organic aerosolOcean-sea ice-atmosphere interactionOrbitrap mass spectrometryShipborne measurementMore Related Videos
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