Iodine chemistry in the eastern Pacific marine boundary layer

Juan C. Gómez Martín, Anoop S. Mahajan, Timothy D. Hay, Cristina Prados-Román, Carlos Ordóñez, Samantha M. MacDonald, John M.C. Plane, Mar Sorribas, Manuel Gil, J. Francisco Paredes Mora, Mario V. Agama Reyes, David E. Oram, Emma Leedham, Alfonso Saiz-Lopez

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Abstract

Observations of gas-phase iodine species were made during a field campaign in the eastern Pacific marine boundary layer (MBL). The Climate and Halogen Reactivity Tropical Experiment (CHARLEX) in the Galápagos Islands, running from September 2010 to present, is the first long-term ground-based study of trace gases in this region. Observations of gas-phase iodine species were made using long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (LP-DOAS), multi-axis DOAS (MAX-DOAS), and resonance and off-resonance fluorescence by lamp excitation (ROFLEX). These measurements were supported by ancillary measurements of ozone, nitrogen oxides, and meteorological variables. Selective halocarbon and ultrafine aerosol concentration measurements were also made. MAX-DOAS observations of iodine monoxide (IO) display a weak seasonal variation. The maximum differential slant column density was 3.8 × 1013 molecule cm−2 (detection limit ~7 × 1012 molecule cm−2). The seasonal variation of reactive iodine IOx (= I + IO) is stronger, peaking at 1.6 pptv during the warm season (February–April). This suggests a dependence of the iodine sources on the annual cycle in sea surface temperature, although perturbations by changes in ocean surface iodide concentration and solar radiation are also possible. An observed negative correlation of IOx with chlorophyll-a indicates a predominance of abiotic sources. The low IO mixing ratios measured (below the LP-DOAS detection limit of 0.9 pptv) are not consistent with satellite observations if IO is confined to the MBL. The IOx loading is consistent with the observed absence of strong ozone depletion and nucleation events, indicating a small impact of iodine chemistry on these climatically relevant factors in the eastern Pacific MBL.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)887-904
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Volume118
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013

Keywords

  • iodine
  • halogen chemistry
  • ocean emissions
  • marine boundary layer
  • new particle formation
  • ozone depletion

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