Monsoon influences distribution of surfactants at different coastal areas into atmospheric aerosol

Abstract

Global climate change can be influenced by surfactants because of its characteristics due to reduce surface tension. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of surfactants in atmospheric aerosol. Fine aerosol sample diameter size (<1.5 µM) were collected using High Volume Air Sampler (HVAS) for 24 hrs with flow rate of 1.13m3min−1 at different coastal areas. Colorimetric method was undertaken to determine the concentrations of anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as dimethyl blue active substances (DBAS) using a UV spectrometer. The results indicated that the concentration of anionic surfactants was higher than concentration of cationic surfactants. Therefore, the concentrations of surfactants in Port Dickson was 103.97 pmolm−3 for MBAS and 62.57 pmolm−3 for DBAS and was higher than Bachok during southwest monsoon and meanwhile concentrations of surfactants was higher in Bachok 102.74 pmolm−3 for MBAS and DBAS 68.56 pmolm−3 during northeast monsoon.