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Aerosol Emissions from Great Lakes Harmful Algal Blooms

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  3. William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, United States
  4. Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  5. Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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In freshwater lakes, harmful algal blooms (HABs) of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) produce toxins that impact human health. However, little is known about the chemical species present in lake spray aerosol (LSA) produced from wave-breaking in freshwater HABs. In this study, a laboratory LSA generator produced aerosols from freshwater samples collected from Lake Michigan and Lake Erie during HAB and non-bloom conditions. Particles were analyzed for size and chemical composition by single particle mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy, with three distinct types of LSA identified with varying levels of organic carbon and biological material associated with calcium salts. LSA autofluorescence increases with blue-green algae concentration, showing that organic molecules of biological origin are incorporated in LSA from HABs. The number fraction of LSA with biological mass spectral markers also increases with particle diameter (greater than 0.5 μm), showing that HABs have size-dependent impacts on aerosol composition. The highest number fraction of LSA enriched in organic carbon were observed in particles less than 0.5 μm in diameter. Understanding the transfer of organic and biogenic material from freshwater to the atmosphere via LSA particles is crucial for determining health and climate effects due to HABs.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1421335
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-129527; 49331; KP1704020
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 52; ISSN 0013-936X
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory