Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 3 5 2003 10.5194/acpd-3-5275-2003 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/3/5275/2003/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/3/5275/2003/acpd-3-5275-2003.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/3/5275/2003/acpd-3-5275-2003.pdf 5275 5288 2003-10-20 New insights in the global cycle of acetonitrile: release from the ocean and acetonitrile: release from the ocean and Venezuela E. Sanhueza R. Holzinger B. Kleiss L. Donoso P. J. Crutzen MPI für Chemie, Luftchemie, Postfach 3060, 55020 Mainz, Germany IVIC, Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory, Apartado 21827, Caracas 1020A, Venezuela now at Univ. Calif. Berkeley, Div. Environm. Sci., Dept. Ecosyst. Sci. Policy & Management, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA CUsing the proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) technique, acetonitrile was measured during the wet season in a Venezuelan woodland savanna. The site was located downwind of the Caribbean Sea and no biomass burning events were observed in the region. High boundary layer concentrations of&nbsp; 211 &plusmn;36 pmol/mol (median, &plusmn; standard deviation) were observed during daytime in the well mixed boundary layer, which is about 60 pmol/mol above background concentrations recently measured over the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Most likely acetonitrile is released from the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea thereby enhancing mixing ratios over Venezuela. Acetonitrile concentrations will probably still be much higher in biomass burning plumes, however, the general suitability of acetonitrile as a biomass burning marker should be treated with care.<br> <br> During nights, acetonitrile dropped to levels typically around 120 pmol/mol, which is consistent with a dry deposition velocity of ~0.14 cm/s when a nocturnal boundary layer height of 100 m is assumed.