Interfacial photochemistry at the ocean surface is a global source of organic vapors and aerosols

Nature Communications
Martin BrüggemannChristian George

Abstract

The surface of the oceans acts as a global sink and source for trace gases and aerosol particles. Recent studies suggest that photochemical reactions at this air/water interface produce organic vapors, enhancing particle formation in the atmosphere. However, current model calculations neglect this abiotic source of reactive compounds and account only for biological emissions. Here we show that interfacial photochemistry serves as a major abiotic source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on a global scale, capable to compete with emissions from marine biology. Our results indicate global emissions of 46.4-184 Tg C yr-1 of organic vapors from the oceans into the marine atmosphere and a potential contribution to organic aerosol mass of more than 60% over the remote ocean. Moreover, we provide global distributions of VOC formation potentials, which can be used as simple tools for field studies to estimate photochemical VOC emissions depending on location and season.

References

Dec 11, 2003·Chemical Reviews·Roger Atkinson, Janet Arey
May 11, 2006·Environmental Science & Technology·N M DonahueS N Pandis
Mar 17, 2015·Chemical Reviews·Christian GeorgeSergey A Nizkorodov
Sep 12, 2015·Environmental Science & Technology·Raluca CiuraruChristian George
Jul 20, 2016·Environmental Science & Technology·F BernardC George
Aug 16, 2016·Science·Stéphanie RossignolChristian George
Oct 19, 2016·Environmental Science & Technology·Liselotte TinelChristian George
Jun 1, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Emma L MungallJohn Liggio
Oct 6, 2017·Scientific Reports·Peter A AlpertChristian George

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Citations

Feb 11, 2021·Analytical Chemistry·Ying YuYing Gao
Mar 11, 2021·Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics·Katherine R TravisFangqun Yu
Nov 16, 2021·Frontiers in Microbiology·Alyssa N AlsanteSarah D Brooks

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