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Biogenic aerosol in the Arctic from eight years of MSA data from Ny Ålesund (Svalbard Islands) and Thule (Greenland)

TitleBiogenic aerosol in the Arctic from eight years of MSA data from Ny Ålesund (Svalbard Islands) and Thule (Greenland)
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsBecagli, S., Amore A., Caiazzo Laura, Di Iorio Tatiana, Di Sarra Alcide, Lazzara L., Marchese C., Meloni Daniela, Mori G., Muscari G., Nuccio C., Pace Giandomenico, Severi M., and Traversi R.
JournalAtmosphere
Volume10
ISSN20734433
KeywordsAerosols, Arctic, Atmospheric particulate, Biogenic aerosols, Cloud condensation nuclei, marginal ice zone, Methane sulfonic acid, Phytoplankton, Sea ice, Sea ice extent, Sea ice retreats, upper atmosphere
Abstract

In remote marine areas, biogenic productivity and atmospheric particulate are coupled through dimethylsulfide (DMS) emission by phytoplankton. Once in the atmosphere, the gaseous DMS is oxidized to produce H2SO4 and methanesulfonic acid (MSA); both species can affect the formation of cloud condensation nuclei. This study analyses eight years of biogenic aerosol evolution and variability at two Arctic sites: Thule (76.5° N, 68.8° W) and Ny Ålesund (78.9° N, 11.9° E). Sea ice plays a key role in determining the MSA concentration in polar regions. At the beginning of the melting season, in April, up to June, the biogenic aerosol concentration appears inversely correlated with sea ice extent and area, and positively correlated with the extent of the ice-free area in the marginal ice zone (IF-MIZ). The upper ocean stratification induced by sea ice melting might have a role in these correlations, since the springtime formation of this surface layer regulates the accumulation of phytoplankton and nutrients, allowing the DMS to escape from the sea to the atmosphere. The multiyear analysis reveals a progressive decrease in MSA concentration in May at Thule and an increase in July August at Ny Ålesund. Therefore, while the MSA seasonal evolution is mainly related with the sea ice retreat in April, May, and June, the IF-MIZ extent appears as the main factor affecting the longer-term behavior of MSA. © 2019 by the authors.

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068978582&doi=10.3390%2fatmos10070349&partnerID=40&md5=adf3e7d4e32082aaa07d08a5d958826b
DOI10.3390/atmos10070349
Citation KeyBecagli2019