Multiyear study of the dependence of sea salt aerosol on wind speed and sea ice conditions in the coastal Arctic. Issue 15 (13th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: May, N. W.; Quinn, P. K.; McNamara, S. M.; Pratt, K. A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 15(2016)
• Page Start: 9208
• Page End: 9219
• Publication Date: 2016-08-13
• Subjects: Arctic -- sea salt aerosol -- sea ice -- aerosols -- atmospheric chemistry; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JD025273
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: Thinning of Arctic sea ice gives rise to ice fracturing and leads (areas of open water surrounded by sea ice) that are a potential source of sea salt aerosol. Atmospheric particle inorganic ion concentrations, local sea ice conditions, and meteorology at Barrow, AK, from 2006 to 2009, were combined to investigate the dependence of submicron (aerodynamic diameter < 1 µm) and supermicron (aerodynamic diameter 1–10 µm) sea salt mass concentrations on sea ice coverage and wind speed. Consistent with a wind‐dependent source, supermicron sea salt mass concentrations increased in the presence of nearby leads and wind speeds greater than 4 m s −1 . Increased supermicron and submicron sea salt chloride depletion was observed for periods of low winds or a lack of nearby open water, consistent with transported sea salt influence. Sea salt aerosol produced from leads has the potential to alter cloud formation, as well as the chemical composition of the Arctic atmosphere and snowpack. Key Points: Local sea ice coverage and wind speed are controlling factors for Arctic sea salt concentrations Sea salt aerosol is produced from sea ice leads at wind speeds > 4 m/s The influence of long‐range transported sea salt aerosol was greatest during periods of lower winds and increased sea ice coverage