Biogeochemical models have been developed recently to predict the transfer of dissolved organic material from the ocean surface to sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles during wave breaking. These models often assume that dissolved organic material is in adsorption equilibrium at the ocean-bubble interface prior to bubble bursting and particle formation. To test this conjecture, we are measuring the dynamic surface tension of six and eight carbon alcohols and carboxylic acids. Our initial studies show that surfactants have varying equilibration times depending on their concentration, structure, and solution sub-phase composition. We present time resolved surface tension measurements for model carboxylic acids and alcohols within the context of the average lifetime of bubbles formed following wave breaking and the resulting bubble film caps formed at the ocean surface. The chemical composition of bubble interfaces in non-equilibrium situations is speculated to be different than in equilibrium situations. Results from these model studies are used to explore the conditions where surfactant competition and non-equilibrium conditions may arise at air-water interfaces of relevance to SSA particle formation.

Chemical adsorption kinetics of model trace organics at marine bubble interfaces

251st National Meeting (2016)

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