Stable isotopes measurements reveal dual carbon pools contributing to organic matter enrichment in marine aerosol.

ABSTRACT: Stable carbon isotope ratios in marine aerosol collected over the Southern Indian Ocean revealed δ¹³C values ranging from -20.0‰ to -28.2‰. The isotope ratios exhibited a strong correlation with the fractional organic matter (OM) enrichment in sea spray aerosol. The base-level isotope ratio of -20.0‰ is characteristic of an aged Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) pool contributing a relatively homogeneous background level of DOM to oceanic waters. The range of isotope ratios, extending down to -28.2‰, is characteristic of more variable, stronger, and fresher Particulate Organic Matter (POM) pool driven by trophic level interactions. We present a conceptual dual-pool POM-DOM model which comprises a 'young' and variable POM pool which dominates enrichment in sea-spray and an 'aged' bu

SUBMITTER: Ceburnis D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5098177 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature