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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/11/2749/2011/
doi:10.5194/acpd-11-2749-2011
© Author(s) 2011. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Quantification of the carbonaceous matter origin in submicron marine aerosol particles by dual carbon isotope analysis
1School of Physics and Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
2Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Physics, Vilnius, Lithuania
3ISAC – CNR, Bologna, Italy
4Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Berne, Switzerland
5PSI, Villigen, Switzerland
6ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
7EPA, Dublin, Ireland
Abstract. Dual carbon isotope analysis has been performed for the first time demonstrating a potential in organic matter apportionment between three principal sources: marine, terrestrial (non-fossil) and fossil fuel due to unique isotopic signatures. The results presented here, utilising combinations of dual carbon isotope analysis, provides a conclusive evidence of a dominant biogenic organic fraction to organic aerosol over biologically active oceans. In particular, the NE Atlantic, which is also subjected to notable anthropogenic influences via pollution transport processes, was found to contain 80% organic aerosol matter of biogenic origin directly linked to plankton emissions. The remaining carbonaceous aerosol was of fossil-fuel origin. By contrast, for polluted air advecting out from Europe into the NE Atlantic, the source apportionment is 30% marine biogenic, 40% fossil fuel, and 30% continental non-fossil fuel. The dominant marine organic aerosol source in the atmosphere has significant implications for climate change feedback processes.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 4103 KB) Supplement (106 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (ACP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Ceburnis, D., Garbaras, A., Szidat, S., Rinaldi, M., Fahrni, S., Perron, N., Wacker, L., Leinert, S., Remeikis, V., Facchini, M. C., Prevot, A. S. H., Jennings, S. G., and O'Dowd, C. D.: Quantification of the carbonaceous matter origin in submicron marine aerosol particles by dual carbon isotope analysis, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 11, 2749-2772, doi:10.5194/acpd-11-2749-2011, 2011. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
