Global modeling of tropospheric iodine aerosol. Issue 18 (30th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sherwen, Tomás M.; Evans, Mat J.; Spracklen, Dominick V.; Carpenter, Lucy J.; Chance, Rosie; Baker, Alex R.; Schmidt, Johan A.; Breider, Thomas J.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 18(2016)
• Page Start: 10012
• Page End: 10019
• Publication Date: 2016-09-30
• Subjects: iodine -- aerosol -- dimethyl sulfide -- marine boundary layer -- DMS -- sulfate; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Natural aerosols play a central role in the Earth system. The conversion of dimethyl sulfide to sulfuric acid is the dominant source of oceanic secondary aerosol. Ocean emitted iodine can also produce aerosol. Using a GEOS‐Chem model, we present a simulation of iodine aerosol. The simulation compares well with the limited observational data set. Iodine aerosol concentrations are highest in the tropical marine boundary layer (MBL) averaging 5.2 ng (I) m −3 with monthly maximum concentrations of 90 ng (I) m −3 . These masses are small compared to sulfate (0.75% of MBL burden, up to 11% regionally) but are more significant compared to dimethyl sulfide sourced sulfate (3% of the MBL burden, up to 101% regionally). In the preindustrial, iodine aerosol makes up 0.88% of the MBL burden sulfate mass and regionally up to 21%. Iodine aerosol may be an important regional mechanism for ocean‐atmosphere interaction. Key Points: Model of iodine aerosol shows skill in reproducing observations Highest iodine mass is in the tropical marine boundary layer, up to 101% of DMS sulfate aerosol Regionally iodine aerosol is up to 11% of total sulfate and higher (21%) in the preindustrial