Distribution and sea‐air fluxes of biogenic trace gases in the eastern Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

A number of atmospherically important trace gases (dimethyl sulphide (DMS), methyl iodide (CH3I), and nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs)) were measured simultaneously in the eastern Atlantic Ocean during May 1997. This investigation was part of the U.K. Atmospheric Chemistry Studies in the Oceanic Environment (ACSOE) Community Research Program and covered a 200 by 200 nautical mile (1 nautical mile is 1.852 km) area to the west of the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station on the coast of Ireland. Different spatial and temporal patterns were observed for each of the gases, showing that distinct sources dominate their production in this region: specific species of phytoplankton (DMS), macroalgae (CH3I), total phytoplankton biomass (isoprene), and photochemistry (ethene). Sea‐to‐air fluxes of the gases are calculated for near and offshore domains, and their temporal variations are discussed. A simple photochemical box model has been used to assess the contributions of the gas fluxes to the levels of the gases observed at Mace Head. Results show that the area studied may constitute a substantial source of DMS, a weak source of CH3I, a small source of ethene at night, and an insignificant source of isoprene to atmospheric levels of these gases measured at Mace Head in western Ireland.