Journal article
Molecular Diversity of Sea Spray Aerosol Particles: Impact of Ocean Biology on Particle Composition and Hygroscopicity
Chem, Vol.2(5), pp.655-667
05/11/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2017.03.007
Abstract
The impact of sea spray aerosol (SSA) on climate depends on the size and chemical composition of individual particles that make up the total SSA ensemble. There remains a lack of understanding as to the composition of individual particles within the SSA ensemble and how it changes in response to dynamic ocean biology. Here, we characterize the classes of organic compounds as well as specific molecules within individual SSA particles. The diversity of molecules within the organic fraction was observed to vary between submicrometer- and supermicrometer-sized particles and included contributions from fatty acids, monosaccharides, polysaccharides, and siliceous material. Significant changes in this molecular diversity were observed to coincide with the rise and fall of phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria populations within the seawater. Furthermore, the water uptake of individual particles was affected, as learned from studying the hygroscopicity of model systems composed of representative mixtures of salts and organic compounds. [Display omitted] •The molecular composition of individual nascent SSA particles is diverse•Molecular diversity of individual SSA particles is controlled by the microbial loop•Changes in hygroscopicity of SSA are driven by shifts in particle composition Sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles are an important component of Earth’s atmosphere in that they serve as a critical link between the ocean and climate. The key to understanding how SSA affects climate is to unravel the chemical composition and the molecular diversity among individual SSA particles and determine how this influences their climate properties, including particle hygroscopicity. Here, we measured the molecular composition and hygroscopicity of individual SSA particles that were produced in a unique wave-flume facility during periods of dynamic biological activity in seawater. With respect to molecular composition, the number distribution of SSA particle types was seen to be influenced by these biological processes within the seawater. Shifts in the distribution of different particles types led to changes in the average particle hygroscopicity; these changes were further explored via evaluation of the hygroscopicity of model systems containing mixtures of organic compounds and salts. Sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles were found to be diverse with respect to their molecular composition. The number distribution of the SSA particle ensemble, as defined by the molecular signatures in individual particles, shifted in response to changes in the activity of phytoplankton and bacteria in the seawater. This dynamic shift in the molecular composition of individual SSA particles changes their hygroscopicity, a key climate-relevant property.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Molecular Diversity of Sea Spray Aerosol Particles: Impact of Ocean Biology on Particle Composition and Hygroscopicity
- Creators
- Richard E Cochran - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAOlga Laskina - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAJonathan V Trueblood - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAArmando D Estillore - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAHolly S Morris - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAThilina Jayarathne - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USACamille M Sultana - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAChristopher Lee - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAPeng Lin - William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratoryand Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USAJulia Laskin - William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratoryand Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USAAlexander Laskin - William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratoryand Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USAJacqueline A Dowling - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAZhen Qin - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAChristopher D Cappa - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USATimothy H Bertram - Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USAAlexei V Tivanski - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAElizabeth A Stone - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USAKimberly A Prather - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USAVicki H Grassian - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Chem, Vol.2(5), pp.655-667
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.chempr.2017.03.007
- ISSN
- 2451-9294
- eISSN
- 2451-9294
- Grant note
- name: Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment, award: CHE 1305427; name: Office of Biological and Environmental Research; DOI: 10.13039/100000993, name: Battelle Memorial Institute, award: DE-AC06-76RL0 1830
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/11/2017
- Academic Unit
- Chemical and Biochemical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Chemistry
- Record Identifier
- 9983986098702771
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