Title: Stratospheric ozone depletion in the Antarctic region triggers intense changes in sea salt aerosol geochemistry

Journal Article · · Communications Earth & Environment

Abstract Since the early 1980s, the Antarctic environment has served as a natural field laboratory for researchers to investigate the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, which has resulted in increased surface ultraviolet radiation levels. However, its effective threats still present gaps. We report new pieces of evidence of increased ultraviolet radiation impacting West Antarctica sea salt aerosols. Salt aerosols, particularly in the Southern Ocean Sea, play an important role in the radiative earth balance. To disclose the molecular details of sea salt aerosols, we used a synchrotron-based multi-element microscopic speciation of individual microparticles (Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy with Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy combined with Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy). Here we identified substantial abundances of chlorine-enriched aerosols in sea salt generated by photolytic products, whereas ice core records revealed increased chlorine depletion from the onset of ozone depletion. Our findings reveal that modern sea salt modification has no Holocene precedent.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Advanced Light Source (ALS); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1961865
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-183687; 77; PII: 739
Journal Information:
Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Name: Communications Earth & Environment Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 4; ISSN 2662-4435
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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