Atmospheric Chemistry

Using decades of PMEL aerosol measurements, the Atmospheric Chemistry group has shown that oceanic phytoplankton sulfur emissions are not the major source of cloud condensation nuclei to  he marine atmosphere. This work has renewed the importance of understanding the direct emissions of sea spray to the atmosphere as a major source of sub-micrometer particles. The group plans to continue roughly biannual process studies to target regions where the current level of understanding of aerosol sources and atmospheric processing inhibits the ability to accurately model weather and climate change.