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Title: Long-Term Trends for Marine Sulfur Aerosol in the Alaskan Arctic and Relationships With Temperature

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jd033225· OSTI ID:1852911
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3];  [3]; ORCiD logo [4]; ORCiD logo [5]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. Baylor Univ., Waco, TX (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science
  2. Baylor Univ., Waco, TX (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science; Baylor Univ., Waco, TX (United States). The Inst. of Ecological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
  3. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
  4. Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States). Joint Inst. for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, WA (United States). Pacific Marine Environmental Lab. (PMEL)
  5. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, WA (United States). Pacific Marine Environmental Lab. (PMEL)

Marine aerosol plays a vital role in cloud-aerosol interactions during summer in the Arctic. The recent rise in temperature and decrease in sea ice extent have the potential to impact marine biogenic sources. Compounds like methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO42-), oxidation products of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) emitted by marine primary producers, are likely to increase in concentration. Long-term studies are vital to understand these changes in marine sulfur aerosol and potential interactions with Arctic climate. Samples were collected over three summers at two coastal sites on the North Slope of Alaska (Utqiagvik and Oliktok Point). MSA concentrations followed previously reported seasonal trends, with evidence of high marine primary productivity influencing both sites. When added to an additional data set collected at Utqiagvik, an increase in MSA concentration of + 2.5% per year and an increase in nss-SO42- of + 2.1% per year are observed for the summer season over the 20-year record (1998–2017). This study identifies ambient air temperature as a strong factor for MSA, likely related to a combination of interrelated factors including warmer sea surface temperature, reduced sea ice, and temperature-dependent chemical reactions. Analysis of individual particles at Oliktok Point, within the North Slope of Alaska oil fields, showed evidence of condensation of MSA onto anthropogenic particles, highlighting the connection between marine and oil field emissions and secondary organic aerosol. Finally, this study shows the continued importance of understanding MSA in the Arctic while highlighting the need for further research into its seasonal relationship with organic carbon.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0019172; NA14OAR4310150; NA14OAR4310149
OSTI ID:
1852911
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 125, Issue 22; ISSN 2169-897X
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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