Fine iron aerosols are internally mixed with nitrate in the urban european atmosphere
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Authors
Colleges, School and Institutes
External organisations
- Department of Environmental Sciences / Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Institut de Ciències Del Mar, CSIC
- Istanbul University
Abstract
Atmospheric iron aerosol is a bioavailable essential nutrient playing a role in oceanic productivity. Using Aerosol Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (ATOFMS), the particle size (0.3-1.5 μm), chemical composition and mixing state of Fe-containing particles collected at two European urban sites (London and Barcelona) were characterised. Out of the six particle types accounting for the entire Fe-aerosol population, that arising from long range transport (LRT) of fine Fe-containing particles (Fe-LRT, 54-82% across the two sites) was predominant. This particle type was found to be internally mixed with nitrate and not with sulphate, and likely mostly associated with urban traffic activities. This is in profound contrast with previous studies carried out in Asia, where the
majority of iron-containing particles are mixed with sulphate and are of coal combustion origin. Other minor fine iron aerosol sources included mineral dust (8-11%), traffic brake wear material (1-17%), shipping/oil (1-6%), biomass combustion (4-13%) and vegetative debris (1-3%). Overall - relative to anthropogenic Asian Fe-sulphate dust - anthropogenic European dust internally mixed with additional key nutrients such as nitrate is likely to play a different role in ocean global biogeochemical cycles.
majority of iron-containing particles are mixed with sulphate and are of coal combustion origin. Other minor fine iron aerosol sources included mineral dust (8-11%), traffic brake wear material (1-17%), shipping/oil (1-6%), biomass combustion (4-13%) and vegetative debris (1-3%). Overall - relative to anthropogenic Asian Fe-sulphate dust - anthropogenic European dust internally mixed with additional key nutrients such as nitrate is likely to play a different role in ocean global biogeochemical cycles.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4212-4220 |
Journal | Environmental Science and Technology |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 22 Mar 2016 |