This program focuses on the major aerosol species that are found in the marine atmosphere: nss-SO4=, from anthropogenic sources and biological sources in the ocean; MSA (methanesulfonate), form DMS (dimethyl sulfide) derived from oceanic sources; NO3-, from anthropogenic sources, lightning and the stratosphere; NH4+, from continental and oceanic sources; Na+, from sea salts. We also study (with the University of Rhode Island) the mineral species present in the atmosphere in this region. The major objective is to characterize the distribution of these species over the ocean and to understand the factors that control their concentration; the sources of the species and their temporal and areal variability; the transport paths through the atmosphere and the removal to the ocean.
