Atmospheric methanesulfonate (MSA, blue line) and non sea-salt sulfate (nss-sulfate, red line) concentrations measured with the high volume sampling system (sampling period: 1 week).
Note the distinct seasonality with maximum concentrations in January for both compounds. It is evident that the marine biogenic source, i.e. emission of dimethylsulfide (DMS) by phythoplankton dominates the sulfur budget at coastal sites in Antarctica.

References:

Minikin, A., M. Legrand, J. Hall, D. Wagenbach, C. Kleefeld, E. Wolff, E.C. Pasteur, and F. Ducroz, Sulfur-containing species (sulfate and MSA) in coastal Antarctic aerosol and surface snow, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 10975-10990, 1998.

Legrand, M. and F. Ducroz, MSA to non sea-salt sulfate ratio in coastal Antarctic aerosol and surface snow, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 10991-11106, 198.

For further information contact Dietmar Wagenbach or Rolf Weller.

Time series of atmospheric sodium concentrations measured with the high volume sampling system showing a broad seasonal maximum during austral winter. Note logarithmic concentration scale and high variability of the signal!

For further information contact Dietmar Wagenbach or Rolf Weller.

Time series of atmospheric nitrate concentrations (i.e. nitric acid plus aerosol bound nitrate) measured with the high volume sampling system. The signal exhibits again a striking seasonality with maximum nitrate concentrations in November of each year.

Reference:

Wagenbach, D., M. Legrand, H. Fischer, F. Pichlmayer, and E. Wolff, Atmospheric near surface nitrate at coastal Antarctic sites, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 11007-11020, 1998.

For further information contact Dietmar Wagenbach or Rolf Weller.

Rolf Weller

Gallery

Air Chemistry Observatory overview
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