Magnesium and calcium play critically important roles in atmospheric and ocean surface chemistry. Their molecule-selective behavior and their hydration properties gives rise to uniquely surface driven phenomena. Hydration properties of these two ions create distinct environments that can switch binding on or off. Ion binding to carboxylate in solution and at the aqueous surface is presented using surface sum frequency and infrared reflection spectroscopy and solution phase Raman spectroscopy. Calcium uniquely bridges saccharides to surfactants while magnesium holds its hydration shell close yet still binds with some specificity. Fatty acids and lipids constitute a large fraction of the sea surface microlayer and thus are incorporated into marine aerosol in which calcium effectively hitchhikes its way selectively into the atmosphere despite the lower marine concentrations relative to magnesium.

Magnesium and calcium interactions with marine surfactants at aqueous interfaces

ACS Spring 2022

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