Abstract
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) mixing ratios were measured in the boundary layer on Oahu, Hawaii in April and May 2000. Average DMS and SO2 levels were 22 ± 7 (n = 488) pmol/mol and 23 ± 7 (n = 471) pmol/mol respectively. Anti-correlated DMS and SO2 diurnal cycles, consistent with DMS + OH oxidation were observed on most days. Photochemical box model simulations suggest that the yield of SO2 and total SO2 sink are ∼85% and ∼2 × 104 molec cm− 3 s− 1 respectively. On several days the rate of decrease in DMS and increase in SO2 levels in the early morning were larger that predicted by the model. Dynamical and chemical causes for the anomalous early morning data are explored.
Highlights
The atmospheric oxidation of dimethylsulfide emitted from the sea surface is an important process in the formation of sulfate aerosols in marine air
In this study we present measurements of Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and SO2 mixing ratios made in the remote marine boundary layer
DMS and SO2 mixing ratios were measured in the tropical boundary layer by isotope dilution gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS)
Summary
The atmospheric oxidation of dimethylsulfide emitted from the sea surface is an important process in the formation of sulfate aerosols in marine air. Both laboratory and field research efforts have been directed at elucidating the reaction mechanism and product distributions, but our understanding is far from complete. Several previous studies have demonstrated that the diurnal cycle of DMS in clean marine air exhibits late afternoon minimum and early morning maximum expected for a well-mixed boundary layer with a sea surface DMS source. The cycles are compared to the output from a photochemical box model to estimate the DMS flux, SO2 yields, the total SO2 sink and to explore whether the second process is chemical or dynamical
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