Sea spray aerosol (SSA), one of the largest fluxes of aerosol generated globally, can have large impacts on climate by influencing cloud formation. Despite their importance, climate impacts of SSA particles remain poorly understood due to the fact that the composition of these particles changes as a function of size and seawater composition. Bulk composition of individual particles (Raman microspectroscopy) and surface composition and structure of size-resolved particles (sum frequency generation (SFG)) were used to analyze SSA particles. These particles were produced through wave action using a unique ocean in a lab approach that minimizes contamination from ambient background aerosol particles. As will be discussed, these data provide new insights into bulk and surface compositions of SSA particles and represent a step forward in our understanding of this important class of atmospheric particles.

Raman microspectroscopy and vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy as probes of the bulk and surface compositions of size-resolved sea spray aerosol particles

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.