Articles | Volume 17, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-6023-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-6023-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
16 May 2017
Research article |
| 16 May 2017
Downward particle fluxes of biogenic matter and Saharan dust across the equatorial North Atlantic
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Geert-Jan A. Brummer
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,
the Netherlands
Michèlle van der Does
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Catarina V. Guerreiro
University of Bremen, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Bremen, Germany
Rick Hennekam
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Johannes A. van Hateren
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,
the Netherlands
Dirk Jong
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Chris I. Munday
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
Stefan Schouten
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, and Utrecht University, Texel, the
Netherlands
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the
Netherlands
Jan-Berend W. Stuut
NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of
Ocean Systems, and Utrecht University, Texel, the Netherlands
MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of
Bremen, Germany
Related authors
Laura F. Korte, Franziska Pausch, Scarlett Trimborn, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Michèlle van der Does, Catarina V. Guerreiro, Laura T. Schreuder, Chris I. Munday, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-484, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-484, 2018
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
This paper shows the differences of nutrient release after dry and wet Saharan dust deposition in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean at 12° N. Incubation experiments were conducted along an east-west transect. Large differences were observed between both deposition types with wet deposition being the dominant source of phosphate, silicate, and iron. Both deposition types suggest that Saharan dust particles might be incorporated into marine snow aggregates and act as ballast mineral.
Catarina V. Guerreiro, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Gerhard Fischer, Laura F. Korte, Ute Merkel, Carolina Sá, Henko de Stigter, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Biogeosciences, 14, 4577–4599, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-4577-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-4577-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Our study provides insights into the factors governing the spatio-temporal variability of coccolithophores in the equatorial North Atlantic and illustrates how this supposedly oligotrophic and stable open-ocean region actually reveals significant ecological variability. We provide evidence for Saharan dust and the Amazon River acting as fertilizers for phytoplankton and highlight the the importance of the thermocline depth for coccolithophore productivity in the lower photic zone.
Surya Eldo V. Roza, Runa T. Reuter, Jan-Berend W. Stuut, Gerard J. M. Versteegh, Vera Pospelova, Iria García-Moreiras, and Karin A. F. Zonneveld
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2271, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2271, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
Short summary
Short summary
This study examined the cycle variability in records of a plankton group remnant (dinoflagellate cysts), atmospheric, and oceanic factors off Cape Blanc, Northwest Africa. The result showed changes in the cycles of the plankton, upwelling winds, and Saharan dust records from 2003 to 2020. These changes were divided into three phases, coinciding with changes in the plankton assemblage. Our results showed that local climate change can influence the dynamics and composition of marine ecosystems.
Anna Cutmore, Nicole Bale, Rick Hennekam, Bingjie Yang, Darci Rush, Gert-Jan Reichart, Ellen C. Hopmans, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 21, 957–971, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-957-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-957-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
As human activities lower marine oxygen levels, understanding the impact on the marine nitrogen cycle is vital. The Black Sea, which became oxygen-deprived 9600 years ago, offers key insights. By studying organic compounds linked to nitrogen cycle processes, we found that, 7200 years ago, the Black Sea's nitrogen cycle significantly altered due to severe deoxygenation. This suggests that continued marine oxygen decline could similarly alter the marine nitrogen cycle, affecting vital ecosystems.
Anna Cutmore, Nora Richter, Nicole Bale, Stefan Schouten, and Darci Rush
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1796, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1796, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses bacterial compounds, bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs), preserved in Black Sea sediments to trace major environmental changes over the past 20,000 years. As the basin shifted from a freshwater lake to a permanently oxygen-poor marine environment, we observe clear changes in bacterial communities and environmental conditions. These findings offer new insight into how microbes responded to significant hydrological changes during the last deglaciation and Holocene.
Szabina Karancz, Lennart J. de Nooijer, Bas van der Wagt, Marcel T. J. van der Meer, Sambuddha Misra, Rick Hennekam, Zeynep Erdem, Julie Lattaud, Negar Haghipour, Stefan Schouten, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Clim. Past, 21, 679–704, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-679-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-679-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Changes in upwelling intensity of the Benguela upwelling region during the last glacial motivated us to investigate the local CO2 history during the last glacial-to-interglacial transition. Using various geochemical tracers on archives from both subsurface and surface waters reveals enhanced storage of carbon at depth during the Last Glacial Maximum. An efficient biological pump likely prevented outgassing of CO2 from intermediate depth to the atmosphere.
Babette A.A. Hoogakker, Catherine Davis, Yi Wang, Stephanie Kusch, Katrina Nilsson-Kerr, Dalton S. Hardisty, Allison Jacobel, Dharma Reyes Macaya, Nicolaas Glock, Sha Ni, Julio Sepúlveda, Abby Ren, Alexandra Auderset, Anya V. Hess, Katrin J. Meissner, Jorge Cardich, Robert Anderson, Christine Barras, Chandranath Basak, Harold J. Bradbury, Inda Brinkmann, Alexis Castillo, Madelyn Cook, Kassandra Costa, Constance Choquel, Paula Diz, Jonas Donnenfield, Felix J. Elling, Zeynep Erdem, Helena L. Filipsson, Sebastián Garrido, Julia Gottschalk, Anjaly Govindankutty Menon, Jeroen Groeneveld, Christian Hallmann, Ingrid Hendy, Rick Hennekam, Wanyi Lu, Jean Lynch-Stieglitz, Lélia Matos, Alfredo Martínez-García, Giulia Molina, Práxedes Muñoz, Simone Moretti, Jennifer Morford, Sophie Nuber, Svetlana Radionovskaya, Morgan Reed Raven, Christopher J. Somes, Anja S. Studer, Kazuyo Tachikawa, Raúl Tapia, Martin Tetard, Tyler Vollmer, Xingchen Wang, Shuzhuang Wu, Yan Zhang, Xin-Yuan Zheng, and Yuxin Zhou
Biogeosciences, 22, 863–957, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-863-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-863-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Paleo-oxygen proxies can extend current records, constrain pre-anthropogenic baselines, provide datasets necessary to test climate models under different boundary conditions, and ultimately understand how ocean oxygenation responds on longer timescales. Here we summarize current proxies used for the reconstruction of Cenozoic seawater oxygen levels. This includes an overview of the proxy's history, how it works, resources required, limitations, and future recommendations.
Emmanouil Proestakis, Vassilis Amiridis, Carlos Pérez García-Pando, Svetlana Tsyro, Jan Griesfeller, Antonis Gkikas, Thanasis Georgiou, María Gonçalves Ageitos, Jeronimo Escribano, Stelios Myriokefalitakis, Elisa Bergas Masso, Enza Di Tomaso, Sara Basart, Jan-Berend W. Stuut, and Angela Benedetti
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-43, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-43, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
Quantification of dust deposition into the broader Atlantic Ocean is provided, with the estimates established on the basis of Earth Observations. The dataset is considered unique with respect to a range of applications, including compensating for spatiotemporal gaps of sediment-trap measurements, assessments of model simulations, shedding light into physical processes related to the dust cycle, and to better understand dust biogeochemical impacts on oceanic ecosystems, on weather, and climate.
Miriam Pfeiffer, Hideko Takayanagi, Lars Reuning, Takaaki K. Watanabe, Saori Ito, Dieter Garbe-Schönberg, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Chung-Che Wu, Chuan-Chou Shen, Jens Zinke, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, and Sri Yudawati Cahyarini
Clim. Past, 21, 211–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-211-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-211-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A coral reconstruction of past climate shows changes in the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperature in the south-eastern tropical Indian Ocean. An enhanced seasonal cycle suggests that the tropical rainfall belt shifted northwards between 1856–1918. We explain this with greater warming in the north-eastern Indian Ocean relative to the south-east, which strengthens surface winds and coastal upwelling in the eastern Indian Ocean, leading to greater cooling south of the Equator.
Devika Varma, Laura Villanueva, Nicole J. Bale, Pierre Offre, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 21, 4875–4888, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4875-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Archaeal hydroxylated tetraether lipids are increasingly used as temperature indicators in marine settings, but the factors influencing their distribution are still unclear. Analyzing membrane lipids of two thaumarchaeotal strains showed that the growth phase of the cultures does not affect the lipid distribution, but growth temperature profoundly affects the degree of cyclization of these lipids. Also, the abundance of these lipids is species-specific and is not influenced by temperature.
Guangnan Wu, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Bingjie Yang, Stefan Schouten, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Peter Kraal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3192, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3192, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Estuaries store and process large amounts of carbon, making them vital to the global carbon cycle. In the Port of Rotterdam, we studied the source of organic matter (OM) in sediments and how it influences OM breakdown. We found that marine OM degrades faster than land OM, and human activities like dredging can accelerate this by exposing sediments to oxygen. Our findings highlight the impact of human activities on carbon storage in estuaries, which is key for managing estuarine carbon dynamics.
Vera Dorothee Meyer, Jürgen Pätzold, Gesine Mollenhauer, Isla S. Castañeda, Stefan Schouten, and Enno Schefuß
Clim. Past, 20, 523–546, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-523-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-523-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The climatic factors sustaining vegetation in the Sahara during the African humid period (AHP) are still not fully understood. Using biomarkers in a marine sediment core from the eastern Mediterranean, we infer variations in Mediterranean (winter) and monsoonal (summer) rainfall in the Nile river watershed around the AHP. We find that winter and summer rain enhanced during the AHP, suggesting that Mediterranean moisture supported the monsoon in sustaining the “green Sahara”.
Katrin Hättig, Devika Varma, Stefan Schouten, and Marcel T. J. van der Meer
Clim. Past, 19, 1919–1930, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1919-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1919-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Water isotopes, both hydrogen and oxygen, correlate with the salinity of the sea. Here we reconstruct the surface seawater isotopic composition during the last deglaciation based on the measured hydrogen isotopic composition of alkenones, organic compounds derived from haptophyte algae, and compared it to oxygen isotopes of calcite shells produced in the bottom water. Our results suggest that surface seawater experienced more freshening during the last 20 000 years than the bottom seawater.
Michal Kučera and Geert-Jan A. Brummer
J. Micropalaeontol., 42, 33–34, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-42-33-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-42-33-2023, 2023
Kasia K. Śliwińska, Helen K. Coxall, David K. Hutchinson, Diederik Liebrand, Stefan Schouten, and Agatha M. de Boer
Clim. Past, 19, 123–140, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-123-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-123-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We provide a sea surface temperature record from the Labrador Sea (ODP Site 647) based on organic geochemical proxies across the late Eocene and early Oligocene. Our study reveals heterogenic cooling of the Atlantic. The cooling of the North Atlantic is difficult to reconcile with the active Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). We discuss possible explanations like uncertainty in the data, paleogeography and atmospheric CO2 boundary conditions, model weaknesses, and AMOC activity.
Rick Hennekam, Katharine M. Grant, Eelco J. Rohling, Rik Tjallingii, David Heslop, Andrew P. Roberts, Lucas J. Lourens, and Gert-Jan Reichart
Clim. Past, 18, 2509–2521, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-2509-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-2509-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The ratio of titanium to aluminum (Ti/Al) is an established way to reconstruct North African climate in eastern Mediterranean Sea sediments. We demonstrate here how to obtain reliable Ti/Al data using an efficient scanning method that allows rapid acquisition of long climate records at low expense. Using this method, we reconstruct a 3-million-year North African climate record. African environmental variability was paced predominantly by low-latitude insolation from 3–1.2 million years ago.
Carolien M. H. van der Weijst, Koen J. van der Laan, Francien Peterse, Gert-Jan Reichart, Francesca Sangiorgi, Stefan Schouten, Tjerk J. T. Veenstra, and Appy Sluijs
Clim. Past, 18, 1947–1962, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1947-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The TEX86 proxy is often used by paleoceanographers to reconstruct past sea-surface temperatures. However, the origin of the TEX86 signal in marine sediments has been debated since the proxy was first proposed. In our paper, we show that TEX86 carries a mixed sea-surface and subsurface temperature signal and should be calibrated accordingly. Using our 15-million-year record, we subsequently show how a TEX86 subsurface temperature record can be used to inform us on past sea-surface temperatures.
Geert-Jan A. Brummer and Michal Kučera
J. Micropalaeontol., 41, 29–74, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-41-29-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-41-29-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
To aid researchers working with living planktonic foraminifera, we provide a comprehensive review of names that we consider appropriate for extant species. We discuss the reasons for the decisions we made and provide a list of species and genus-level names as well as other names that have been used in the past but are considered inappropriate for living taxa, stating the reasons.
Lukas Jonkers, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Julie Meilland, Jeroen Groeneveld, and Michal Kucera
Clim. Past, 18, 89–101, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-89-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-89-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The variability in the geochemistry among individual foraminifera is used to reconstruct seasonal to interannual climate variability. This method requires that each foraminifera shell accurately records environmental conditions, which we test here using a sediment trap time series. Even in the absence of environmental variability, planktonic foraminifera display variability in their stable isotope ratios that needs to be considered in the interpretation of individual foraminifera data.
Nathalie Van der Putten, Florian Adolphi, Anette Mellström, Jesper Sjolte, Cyriel Verbruggen, Jan-Berend Stuut, Tobias Erhardt, Yves Frenot, and Raimund Muscheler
Clim. Past Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2021-69, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2021-69, 2021
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
In recent decades, Southern Hemisphere westerlies (SHW) moved equator-ward during periods of low solar activity leading to increased winds/precipitation at 46° S, Indian Ocean. We present a terrestrial SHW proxy-record and find stronger SHW influence at Crozet, shortly after 2.8 ka BP, synchronous with a climate shift in the Northern Hemisphere, attributed to a major decline in solar activity. The bipolar response to solar forcing is supported by a climate model forced by solar irradiance only.
Charlotte L. Spencer-Jones, Erin L. McClymont, Nicole J. Bale, Ellen C. Hopmans, Stefan Schouten, Juliane Müller, E. Povl Abrahamsen, Claire Allen, Torsten Bickert, Claus-Dieter Hillenbrand, Elaine Mawbey, Victoria Peck, Aleksandra Svalova, and James A. Smith
Biogeosciences, 18, 3485–3504, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3485-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3485-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Long-term ocean temperature records are needed to fully understand the impact of West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse. Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are powerful tools for reconstructing ocean temperature but can be difficult to apply to the Southern Ocean. Our results show active GDGT synthesis in relatively warm depths of the ocean. This research improves the application of GDGT palaeoceanographic proxies in the Southern Ocean.
Cécile L. Blanchet, Rik Tjallingii, Anja M. Schleicher, Stefan Schouten, Martin Frank, and Achim Brauer
Clim. Past, 17, 1025–1050, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1025-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1025-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The Mediterranean Sea turned repeatedly into an oxygen-deprived basin during the geological past, as evidenced by distinct sediment layers called sapropels. We use here records of the last sapropel S1 retrieved in front of the Nile River to explore the relationships between riverine input and seawater oxygenation. We decipher the seasonal cycle of fluvial input and seawater chemistry as well as the decisive influence of primary productivity on deoxygenation at millennial timescales.
Nadine T. Smit, Laura Villanueva, Darci Rush, Fausto Grassa, Caitlyn R. Witkowski, Mira Holzheimer, Adriaan J. Minnaard, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 18, 1463–1479, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1463-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1463-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Soils from an everlasting fire (gas seep) in Sicily, Italy, reveal high relative abundances of novel uncultivated mycobacteria and unique 13C-depleted mycocerosic acids (multi-methyl branched fatty acids) close to the main gas seep. Our results imply that mycocerosic acids in combination with their depleted δ13C values offer a new biomarker tool to study the role of soil mycobacteria as hydrocarbon consumers in the modern and past global carbon cycle.
Maike Leupold, Miriam Pfeiffer, Takaaki K. Watanabe, Lars Reuning, Dieter Garbe-Schönberg, Chuan-Chou Shen, and Geert-Jan A. Brummer
Clim. Past, 17, 151–170, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-151-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-151-2021, 2021
Appy Sluijs, Joost Frieling, Gordon N. Inglis, Klaas G. J. Nierop, Francien Peterse, Francesca Sangiorgi, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 16, 2381–2400, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2381-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2381-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We revisit 15-year-old reconstructions of sea surface temperatures in the Arctic Ocean for the late Paleocene and early Eocene epochs (∼ 57–53 million years ago) based on the distribution of fossil membrane lipids of archaea preserved in Arctic Ocean sediments. We find that improvements in the methods over the past 15 years do not lead to different results. However, data quality is now higher and potential biases better characterized. Results confirm remarkable Arctic warmth during this time.
Johannes Albert van Hateren, Unze van Buuren, Sebastiaan Martinus Arens, Ronald Theodorus van Balen, and Maarten Arnoud Prins
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 527–553, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-527-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-527-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we introduce a new technique that can be used to identify how sediments were transported to their place of deposition (transport mode). The traditional method is based on the size of sediment grains, ours on the size and the shape. A test of the method on windblown sediments indicates that it can be used to identify the transport mode with less ambiguity, and therefore it improves our ability to extract information, such as climate from the past, from sediment deposits.
Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Brett Metcalfe, Wouter Feldmeijer, Maarten A. Prins, Jasmijn van 't Hoff, and Gerald M. Ganssen
Clim. Past, 16, 265–282, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-265-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-265-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Here, mid-ocean seasonality is resolved through time, using differences in the oxygen isotope composition between individual shells of the commonly used (sub)polar planktonic foraminifera species in ocean-climate reconstruction, N. pachyderma and G. bulloides. Single-specimen isotope measurements during the deglacial period revealed a surprising bimodality, the cause of which was investigated.
Gabriella M. Weiss, David Chivall, Sebastian Kasper, Hideto Nakamura, Fiz da Costa, Philippe Soudant, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, Stefan Schouten, and Marcel T. J. van der Meer
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2019-147, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2019-147, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we used four different haptophyte species and six different organic compounds to investigate the relationship between organic matter synthesis and salinity. We showed that creation in different parts of the cell (chloroplast versus cytosol) determined which compounds retain a correlation between their hydrogen isotopes and salinity. This is important for using hydrogen isotopes to reconstruct salinity in the geologic record.
Marijke W. de Bar, Jenny E. Ullgren, Robert C. Thunnell, Stuart G. Wakeham, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Jan-Berend W. Stuut, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 16, 1705–1727, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1705-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1705-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed sediment traps from the Cariaco Basin, the tropical Atlantic and the Mozambique Channel to evaluate seasonal imprints in the concentrations and fluxes of long-chain diols (LDIs), in addition to the long-chain diol index proxy (sea surface temperature proxy) and the diol index (upwelling indicator). Despite significant degradation, LDI-derived temperatures were very similar for the sediment traps and seafloor sediments, and corresponded to annual mean sea surface temperatures.
Laura F. Korte, Franziska Pausch, Scarlett Trimborn, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Michèlle van der Does, Catarina V. Guerreiro, Laura T. Schreuder, Chris I. Munday, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-484, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2018-484, 2018
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
This paper shows the differences of nutrient release after dry and wet Saharan dust deposition in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean at 12° N. Incubation experiments were conducted along an east-west transect. Large differences were observed between both deposition types with wet deposition being the dominant source of phosphate, silicate, and iron. Both deposition types suggest that Saharan dust particles might be incorporated into marine snow aggregates and act as ballast mineral.
Marijke W. de Bar, Dave J. Stolwijk, Jerry F. McManus, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 14, 1783–1803, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1783-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1783-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We present a past sea surface temperature and paleoproductivity record over the last 150 000 years for ODP Site 1234 (Chilean margin). We tested the applicability of long-chain diol proxies for the reconstrucion of SST (LDI), past upwelling conditions (diol index), and nutrient concentrations (NDI). The LDI likely reflects past temperature changes, but the diol index and NDI are perhaps more indicative of Proboscia diatom productivity rather than upwelling and/or nutrient conditions.
Sergio Balzano, Julie Lattaud, Laura Villanueva, Sebastiaan W. Rampen, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Judith van Bleijswijk, Nicole Bale, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 15, 5951–5968, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5951-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-5951-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We tried to identify the microbes which biosynthesize a class of lipids widespread in seawater, the long chain alkyl diols (LCDs). We could not find any microorganism likely involved in the production of LCDs. The amounts of LCDs found are too high to be produced by living organisms and are likely to be part of the refractory organic matter persisting for long periods in the water column.
Julian D. Hartman, Francesca Sangiorgi, Ariadna Salabarnada, Francien Peterse, Alexander J. P. Houben, Stefan Schouten, Henk Brinkhuis, Carlota Escutia, and Peter K. Bijl
Clim. Past, 14, 1275–1297, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1275-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1275-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We reconstructed sea surface temperatures for the Oligocene and Miocene periods (34–11 Ma) based on archaeal lipids from a site close to the Wilkes Land coast, Antarctica. Our record suggests generally warm to temperate surface waters: on average 17 °C. Based on the lithology, glacial and interglacial temperatures could be distinguished, showing an average 3 °C offset. The long-term temperature trend resembles the benthic δ18O stack, which may have implications for ice volume reconstructions.
Julie Lattaud, Frédérique Kirkels, Francien Peterse, Chantal V. Freymond, Timothy I. Eglinton, Jens Hefter, Gesine Mollenhauer, Sergio Balzano, Laura Villanueva, Marcel T. J. van der Meer, Ellen C. Hopmans, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 15, 4147–4161, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4147-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4147-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Long-chain diols (LCDs) are biomarkers that occur widespread in marine environments and also in lakes and rivers. In this study, we looked at the distribution of LCDs in three river systems (Godavari, Danube, and Rhine) in relation to season, precipitation, and temperature. We found out that the LCDs are likely being produced in calm areas of the river systems and that marine LCDs have a different distribution than riverine LCDs.
Nicole J. Bale, Tracy A. Villareal, Ellen C. Hopmans, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Marc Besseling, Denise Dorhout, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Biogeosciences, 15, 1229–1241, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-1229-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-1229-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Associations between diatoms and N-fixing cyanobacteria (diatom–diazotroph associations, DDAs) play an important role in the N cycle of the tropical North Atlantic. Heterocysts are the site of N fixation and contain unique glycolipids. We measured these glycolipids in the water column and surface sediment from the tropical North Atlantic. We found a significant correlation between the concentration of glycolipid and of DDAs, strengthening their application as biomarkers.
Gabriella M. Weiss, Eva Y. Pfannerstill, Stefan Schouten, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Marcel T. J. van der Meer
Biogeosciences, 14, 5693–5704, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-5693-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-5693-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Algal-derived compounds allow us to make assumptions about environmental conditions in the past. In order to better understand how organisms record environmental conditions, we grew microscopic marine algae at different light intensities, salinities, and alkalinities in a temperature-controlled environment. We determined how these environmental parameters affected specific algal-derived compounds, especially their relative deuterium content, which seems to be mainly affected by salinity.
Catarina V. Guerreiro, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, Gerhard Fischer, Laura F. Korte, Ute Merkel, Carolina Sá, Henko de Stigter, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Biogeosciences, 14, 4577–4599, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-4577-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-4577-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Our study provides insights into the factors governing the spatio-temporal variability of coccolithophores in the equatorial North Atlantic and illustrates how this supposedly oligotrophic and stable open-ocean region actually reveals significant ecological variability. We provide evidence for Saharan dust and the Amazon River acting as fertilizers for phytoplankton and highlight the the importance of the thermocline depth for coccolithophore productivity in the lower photic zone.
Carmen A. Friese, Johannes A. van Hateren, Christoph Vogt, Gerhard Fischer, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 10163–10193, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-10163-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-10163-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This article deals with an investigation on the seasonal change in the sources of Saharan dust deposited in and off Mauritania using mineralogy. Onshore, dust was sourced from Western Sahara and a local source during summer and from Mauritania and Mali during winter. Offshore, dust was sourced from Mauritania, Mali and Libya during summer and from Western Sahara during winter. The outcome of the study has important implications for the reconstruction of past climates using dust deposits.
Julie Lattaud, Denise Dorhout, Hartmut Schulz, Isla S. Castañeda, Enno Schefuß, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, and Stefan Schouten
Clim. Past, 13, 1049–1061, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-1049-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-1049-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The study of past sedimentary records from coastal margins allows us to reconstruct variations in terrestrial input into the marine realm and to gain insight into continental climatic variability. The study of two sediment cores close to river mouths allowed us to show the potential of long-chain diols as riverine input proxy.
Michèlle van der Does, Laura F. Korte, Chris I. Munday, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, and Jan-Berend W. Stuut
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13697–13710, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13697-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13697-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
We studied seasonal and spatial variations in particle size of Saharan dust deposition along a transect in the Atlantic Ocean, using an array of moored submarine sediment traps. We show a downwind decrease in particle size, but seasonal changes are also prominent. In addition, the dust is much coarser than previously suggested and incorporated into climate models.
Sandra Mariam Heinzelmann, Nicole Jane Bale, Laura Villanueva, Danielle Sinke-Schoen, Catharina Johanna Maria Philippart, Jaap Smede Sinninghe Damsté, Stefan Schouten, and Marcel Teunis Jan van der Meer
Biogeosciences, 13, 5527–5539, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-5527-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-5527-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In order to understand microbial communities in the environment it is necessary to assess their metabolic potential. The hydrogen isotopic composition of fatty acids has been shown to be promising tool to study the general metabolism of microorganisms in pure culture. Here we showed that it is possible to study seasonal changes in the general metabolism of the whole community by studying the hydrogen isotopic composition of fatty acids.
Douwe S. Maat, Nicole J. Bale, Ellen C. Hopmans, Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté, Stefan Schouten, and Corina P. D. Brussaard
Biogeosciences, 13, 1667–1676, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-1667-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-1667-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This study shows that the phytoplankter Micromonas pusilla alters its lipid composition when the macronutrient phosphate is in low supply. This reduction in phospholipids is directly dependent on the strength of the limitation. Furthermore we show that, when M. pusilla is infected by viruses, lipid remodeling is lower. The study was carried out to investigate how phytoplankton and its viruses are affected by environmental factors and how this affects food web dynamics.
Dana Felicitas Christine Riechelmann, Jens Fohlmeister, Rik Tjallingii, Klaus Peter Jochum, Detlev Konrad Richter, Geert-Jan A. Brummer, and Denis Scholz
Clim. Past Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2016-18, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2016-18, 2016
Revised manuscript not accepted
M. Rodrigo-Gámiz, S. W. Rampen, H. de Haas, M. Baas, S. Schouten, and J. S. Sinninghe Damsté
Biogeosciences, 12, 6573–6590, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-6573-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-6573-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This research reports a test of the applicability of three organic-derived temperature proxies (UK'37, TEX86 and LDI) at high latitudes around Iceland. A range of samples including suspended particular material (SPM), trapped descending particles and surface sediments were collected to test the different proxies in the water column and the sediment.The combination of three independent SST organic proxies provided important information about seasonality and differences in habitat depth.
B. Metcalfe, W. Feldmeijer, M. de Vringer-Picon, G.-J. A. Brummer, F. J. C. Peeters, and G. M. Ganssen
Biogeosciences, 12, 4781–4807, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4781-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4781-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Iron biogeochemical budgets during the natural ocean fertilisation experiment KEOPS-2 showed that complex circulation and transport pathways were responsible for differences in the mode and strength of iron supply, with vertical supply dominant on the plateau and lateral supply dominant in the plume. The exchange of iron between dissolved, biogenic and lithogenic pools was highly dynamic, resulting in a decoupling of iron supply and carbon export and controlling the efficiency of fertilisation.
M. Sollai, E. C. Hopmans, S. Schouten, R. G. Keil, and J. S. Sinninghe Damsté
Biogeosciences, 12, 4725–4737, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4725-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-4725-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
The distribution of Thaumarchaeota and anammox bacteria in the water column of the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ) was investigated by collecting suspended particulate matter (SPM) and analyzing it for the content of specific intact polar lipids (IPLs) produced by the two microbial groups. We found a clear niche segregation in the distribution of the two groups in the coastal waters of the ETNP but a partial overlap of their niches in the open-water setting.
J. Steinhardt, C. Cléroux, L. J. de Nooijer, G.-J. Brummer, R. Zahn, G. Ganssen, and G.-J. Reichart
Biogeosciences, 12, 2411–2429, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-2411-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-2411-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we present, for the first time, results from single-chamber Mg/Ca analyses combined with single-shell δ18O and δ13C for four planktonic foraminiferal species from a sediment trap in the Mozambique Channel. Eddy-induced hydrographic variability is reflected in test carbonate chemistry of these different species. A species-specific depth-resolved mass balance model confirms distinctive migration and calcification patterns for each species as a function of hydrography.
C. Bottini, E. Erba, D. Tiraboschi, H. C. Jenkyns, S. Schouten, and J. S. Sinninghe Damsté
Clim. Past, 11, 383–402, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-11-383-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-11-383-2015, 2015
A. de Kluijver, P. L. Schoon, J. A. Downing, S. Schouten, and J. J. Middelburg
Biogeosciences, 11, 6265–6276, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6265-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6265-2014, 2014
A. Sluijs, L. van Roij, G. J. Harrington, S. Schouten, J. A. Sessa, L. J. LeVay, G.-J. Reichart, and C. P. Slomp
Clim. Past, 10, 1421–1439, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-10-1421-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-10-1421-2014, 2014
S. K. Lengger, Y. A. Lipsewers, H. de Haas, J. S. Sinninghe Damsté, and S. Schouten
Biogeosciences, 11, 201–216, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-201-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-201-2014, 2014
N. J. Bale, L. Villanueva, E. C. Hopmans, S. Schouten, and J. S. Sinninghe Damsté
Biogeosciences, 10, 7195–7206, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-7195-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-7195-2013, 2013
S. Weldeab, J.-B. W. Stuut, R. R. Schneider, and W. Siebel
Clim. Past, 9, 2347–2364, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-2347-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-9-2347-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Aerosols | Research Activity: Field Measurements | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Chemistry (chemical composition and reactions)
Characterizing lead-rich particles in Beijing's atmosphere following coal-to-gas conversion: insights from single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry
Climatology of aerosol pH and its controlling factors at the Melpitz continental background site in Central Europe
Technical note: Towards a stronger observational support for haze pollution control by interpreting carbonaceous aerosol results derived from different measurement approaches
Particle flux–gradient relationships in the high Arctic: emission and deposition patterns across three surface types
Advances in characterization of black carbon particles and their associated coatings using the soot-particle aerosol mass spectrometer in Singapore, a complex city environment
Iron isotopes suggest significant aerosol dissolution over the Pacific Ocean
Enrichment of organic nitrogen in fog residuals observed in the Italian Po Valley
Asian dust transport of proteinaceous matter from the Gobi Desert to northern China
Machine-learning-assisted chemical characterization and optical properties of atmospheric brown carbon in Nanjing, China
Technical note: Reconstructing missing surface aerosol elemental carbon data in long-term series with ensemble learning
Enhanced emission of intermediate-volatility/semi-volatile organic matter in gas and particle phases from ship exhausts with low-sulfur fuels
Measurement report: Crustal materials play an increasing role in elevating particle pH – insights from 12-year records in a typical inland city of China
Significant contributions of biomass burning to PM2.5-bound aromatic compounds: insights from field observations and quantum chemical calculations
Measurement report: In-depth characterization of ship emissions during operations in a Mediterranean port
Direct measurement of N2O5 heterogeneous uptake coefficients on atmospheric aerosols in southwestern China and evaluation of current parameterizations
Measurement report: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in particulate matter (PM10) from activated sludge aeration
African dust transported to Barbados in the wintertime lacks indicators of chemical aging
A 60-year atmospheric nitrate isotope record from a southeastern Greenland ice core with minimal postdepositional alteration
Measurement report: Characterization of aerosol hygroscopicity over Southeast Asia during the NASA CAMP2Ex campaign
Long–term Trends in PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Its Impact on Aerosol Properties: Field Observations from 2007 to 2020 in Pearl River Delta, South China
Atmospheric Organosulfate Formation Regulated by Continental Outflows and Marine Emissions over East Asian Marginal Seas
Individual particle compositions and aerosol mixing states at different altitudes over the ocean in East Asia
Molecular characterization of organic aerosols in urban and forested areas of Paris using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Measurement report: Wintertime aerosol characterization at an urban traffic site in Helsinki, Finland
Source apportionment and ecotoxicity of PM2.5 pollution events in a major Southern Hemisphere megacity: influence of a biofuel-impacted fleet and biomass burning
The impacts of pollution sources and temperature on the light absorption of HULIS were revealed by UHPLC-HRMS/MS at the molecular structure level
Effects of Anthropogenic Pollutants on Biogenic Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation in the Atmosphere of Mt. Hua, China
Marine organic aerosol at Mace Head: effects from phytoplankton and source region variability
Elemental composition, iron mineralogy and solubility of anthropogenic and natural mineral dust aerosols in Namibia: a case study analysis from the AEROCLO-sA campaign
Fossil-Dominated SOA Formation in Coastal China: Size-Divergent Pathways of Aqueous Fenton Reactions versus Gas-phase VOC Autoxidation
Measurement report: Sources and meteorology influencing highly time-resolved PM2.5 trace elements at three urban sites in the extremely polluted Indo-Gangetic Plain in India
Measurement report: Year-long chemical composition, optical properties, and sources of atmospheric aerosols in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Formation of highly absorptive secondary brown carbon through nighttime multiphase chemistry of biomass burning emissions
Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) Formation under Urban and Marine Atmosphere: role of aerosol ionic strength
The sources and diurnal variations of submicron aerosols in a coastal-rural environment near Houston, US
Measurement report: Vertically resolved atmospheric properties observed over the Southern Great Plains with the ArcticShark uncrewed aerial system
Measurement report: Simultaneous measurement on atmospheric gas- and aerosol-phase water-soluble organics in Shanghai: Remarkable increase in light absorbing of Asian dust aerosols during long-range transport
Unraveling Arctic submicron organic aerosol sources: a year-long study by H-NMR and AMS in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard
Non-biogenic sources are an important but overlooked contributor to aerosol isoprene-derived organosulfates during winter in northern China
Unveiling single-particle composition, size, shape, and mixing state of freshly emitted Icelandic dust via electron microscopy analysis
The Critical Role of Volatile Organic Compounds Emission in Nitrate Formation in Lhasa, Tibetan Plateau: Insights from Oxygen Isotope Anomaly Measurements
The critical role of aqueous-phase processes in aromatic-derived nitrogen-containing organic aerosol formation in cities with different energy consumption patterns
Characterization of atmospheric water-soluble brown carbon in the Athabasca oil sands region, Canada
Sensitivity of aerosol and cloud properties to coupling strength of marine boundary layer clouds over the northwest Atlantic
Measurement Report: Molecular composition, sources, and evolution of atmospheric organic aerosols in a basin city in China
Burning conditions and transportation pathways determine biomass-burning aerosol properties in the Ascension Island marine boundary layer
Observations of high-time-resolution and size-resolved aerosol chemical composition and microphysics in the central Arctic: implications for climate-relevant particle properties
A critical review of the use of iron isotopes in atmospheric aerosol research
Measurement report: Brown carbon aerosol in rural Germany – sources, chemistry, and diurnal variations
Atmospheric chemistry in East Asia determines the iron solubility of aerosol particles supplied to the North Pacific Ocean
Xiufeng Lian, Yongjiang Xu, Fengxian Liu, Long Peng, Xiaodong Hu, Guigang Tang, Xu Dao, Hui Guo, Liwei Wang, Bo Huang, Chunlei Cheng, Lei Li, Guohua Zhang, Xinhui Bi, Xiaofei Wang, Zhen Zhou, and Mei Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8891–8905, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8891-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8891-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we analyzed the mixing state and atmospheric chemical processes of Pb-rich single particles in Beijing. We focused on analyzing the differences in Pb-rich particles between the heating period and non-heating period, as well as the formation mechanism of lead nitrate after coal-to-gas conversion. Our results highlighted the improvement of Pb levels in the particulate as a result of coal-to-gas conversion.
Vikram Pratap, Christopher J. Hennigan, Bastian Stieger, Andreas Tilgner, Laurent Poulain, Dominik van Pinxteren, Gerald Spindler, and Hartmut Herrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8871–8889, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8871-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8871-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we characterize trends in aerosol pH and its controlling factors during the period 2010–2019 at the Melpitz research station in eastern Germany. We find strong trends in aerosol pH and major inorganic species in response to changing emissions. We conduct a detailed thermodynamic analysis of the aerosol system and discuss implications for controlling particulate matter in the region.
Yuan Cheng, Ying-jie Zhong, Zhi-qing Zhang, Xu-bing Cao, and Jiu-meng Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8493–8505, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8493-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8493-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
As an emerging hotspot of atmospheric sciences, northeastern China is distinct due to the frigid winter and the strong emissions from agricultural fires. Based on field campaigns conducted in Harbin, we successively identified the analytical method that could lead to proper results of organic and elemental carbon. Our results are believed to be a support for future efforts in the exploration of PM2.5 sources in northeastern China, which are essential for further improving the regional air quality.
Theresa Mathes, Heather Guy, John Prytherch, Julia Kojoj, Ian Brooks, Sonja Murto, Paul Zieger, Birgit Wehner, Michael Tjernström, and Andreas Held
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8455–8474, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8455-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8455-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The Arctic is warming faster than the global average and an investigation of aerosol–cloud–sea ice interactions is crucial for studying its climate system. During the ARTofMELT Expedition 2023, particle and sensible heat fluxes were measured over different surfaces. Wide lead surfaces acted as particle sources, with the strongest sensible heat fluxes, while closed ice surfaces acted as particle sinks. In this study, methods to measure these interactions are improved, enhancing our understanding of Arctic climate processes.
Mutian Ma, Laura-Hélèna Rivellini, Yichen Zong, Markus Kraft, Liya E. Yu, and Alex King Yin Lee
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8185–8211, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8185-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8185-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work advances our understanding of the emission and atmospheric evolution of black carbon (BC) particles in Singapore, a complex urban environment impacted by multiple local and regional combustion sources, based on the improved source apportionment analysis of real-time aerosol mass spectrometry measurement.
Capucine Camin, François Lacan, Catherine Pradoux, Marie Labatut, Anne Johansen, and James W. Murray
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8213–8228, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8213-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents the chemical and iron isotopic composition of aerosols (> 1 µm) over the equatorial and tropical Pacific Ocean in previously undocumented areas. Analysis of our data suggests that a significant proportion of aerosol iron (∼ 13 %) is not only dissolved but also removed during atmospheric transport. Such removal had not previously been evidenced to our knowledge. This highlights the unique and strong constraints brought by iron isotopes on atmospheric process studies.
Fredrik Mattsson, Almuth Neuberger, Liine Heikkinen, Yvette Gramlich, Marco Paglione, Matteo Rinaldi, Stefano Decesari, Paul Zieger, Ilona Riipinen, and Claudia Mohr
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7973–7989, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7973-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7973-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated aerosol–cloud interactions, focusing on organic nitrogen (ON) formation in the aqueous phase. Measurements were conducted in wintertime in the Po Valley, Italy, using aerosol mass spectrometry. The fog was enriched in more hygroscopic inorganic compounds and ON, containing, e.g., imidazoles. The formation of imidazole by aerosol–fog interactions could be confirmed for the first time in atmospheric observations. Findings highlight the role of fog in nitrogen aerosol formation.
Ren-Guo Zhu, Hua-Yun Xiao, Meiju Yin, Hao Xiao, Zhongkui Zhou, Yuanyuan Pan, Guo Wei, and Cheng Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7699–7718, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7699-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7699-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The concentrations and δ15N isotopic values of CAAs (combined amino acids) in surface soil and plants from the Gobi Desert, as well as in PM2.5 samples from four cities in Northern China, were measured. CAAs transported by Gobi dust were rich in alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. Glycine and leucine in Gobi Desert sources exhibited δ15N depletion by more than 6 ‰ compared to their values in urban PM2.5. Substantial protein-N deposition can be transported by the Gobi Desert to northern China over brief periods.
Yu Huang, Xingru Li, Dan Dan Huang, Ruoyuan Lei, Binhuang Zhou, Yunjiang Zhang, and Xinlei Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7619–7645, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7619-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7619-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work comprises a comprehensive investigation into the chemical and optical properties of brown carbon (BrC) in PM2.5 samples collected in Nanjing, China. In particular, we used a machine learning approach to identify a list of key BrC species, which can be a good reference for future studies. Our findings extend understanding of BrC properties and are valuable to the assessment of BrC's impact on air quality and radiative forcing.
Qingxiao Meng, Yunjiang Zhang, Sheng Zhong, Jie Fang, Lili Tang, Yongcai Rao, Minfeng Zhou, Jian Qiu, Xiaofeng Xu, Jean-Eudes Petit, Olivier Favez, and Xinlei Ge
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7485–7498, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7485-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a machine-learning-based method to reconstruct missing elemental carbon (EC) data in four Chinese cities from 2013 to 2023. Using machine learning, we filled data gaps and introduced a new approach to analyze EC trends. Our findings reveal a significant decline in EC due to stricter pollution controls, though this slowed after 2020. This study provides a versatile framework for addressing data gaps and supports strategies to reduce urban air pollution and its climate impacts.
Binyu Xiao, Fan Zhang, Zeyu Liu, Yan Zhang, Rui Li, Can Wu, Xinyi Wan, Yi Wang, Yubao Chen, Yong Han, Min Cui, Libo Zhang, Yingjun Chen, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 7053–7069, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-7053-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Intermediate-volatility/semi-volatile organic compounds in gas and particle phases from ship exhausts are enhanced due to the switch of fuels from low sulfur to ultra-low sulfur. The findings indicate that optimization is necessary for the forthcoming global implementation of an ultra-low-sulfur oil policy. Besides, we find that organic diagnostic markers of hopanes in conjunction with the ratio of octadecanoic to tetradecanoic could be considered potential tracers for heavy fuel oil exhausts.
Hongyu Zhang, Shenbo Wang, Zhangsen Dong, Xiao Li, and Ruiqin Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6943–6955, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6943-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6943-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Analyzing 12-year Zhengzhou data revealed post-2019 crustal material rebound caused by soil dust resuspension, elevating particle pH. Similar coarse particle increases are observed across cities of the North China Plain. Long-term particle acidity evolution in this region requires an integrated assessment of interactions among acidic precursors, ammonia, and crustal components.
Yanqin Ren, Zhenhai Wu, Fang Bi, Hong Li, Haijie Zhang, Junling Li, Rui Gao, Fangyun Long, Zhengyang Liu, Yuanyuan Ji, and Gehui Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6975–6990, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6975-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6975-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The daily concentrations of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), and nitrated phenols (NPs) in PM2.5 were all increased during the heating season. Biomass burning was identified to be the primary source of these aromatic compounds, particularly for PAHs. Phenol and nitrobenzene are two main primary precursors for 4NP, with phenol showing lower reaction barriers. P-Cresol was identified as the primary precursor for the formation of 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol.
Lise Le Berre, Brice Temime-Roussel, Grazia Maria Lanzafame, Barbara D'Anna, Nicolas Marchand, Stéphane Sauvage, Marvin Dufresne, Liselotte Tinel, Thierry Leonardis, Joel Ferreira de Brito, Alexandre Armengaud, Grégory Gille, Ludovic Lanzi, Romain Bourjot, and Henri Wortham
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6575–6605, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6575-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A summer campaign in a Mediterranean port examined pollution caused by ships. Two stations in the port measured pollution levels and captured over 350 ship plumes to study their chemical composition. Results showed that pollution levels, such as ultra-fine particles, were higher in the port than in the city and offer strong support to improve emission inventories. These findings may also serve as reference to assess the benefits of a sulfur Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean in 2025.
Jiayin Li, Tianyu Zhai, Xiaorui Chen, Haichao Wang, Shuyang Xie, Shiyi Chen, Chunmeng Li, Yuanjun Gong, Huabin Dong, and Keding Lu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6395–6406, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6395-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6395-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We directly measured the dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) uptake coefficient using an aerosol flow tube, which critically impacts the NOx fate and particulate nitrate formation in a typical highland city, Kunming, in China. We found that the performance of current γ (N2O5) parameterizations showed deviations with the varying aerosol liquid water content (ALWC). Such differences would lead to biased estimation of particulate nitrate production potential. We give suggestions for future research directions.
Jishnu Pandamkulangara Kizhakkethil, Zongbo Shi, Anna Bogush, and Ivan Kourtchev
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5947–5958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5947-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5947-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Pollution with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has received attention due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, but their sources remain poorly understood. PM10 (particulate matter) collected above a scaled-down activated sludge tank treating domestic sewage in the UK was analysed for a range of short-, medium-, and long-chain PFAS. Eight PFAS were detected in the PM10. Our results suggest that wastewater treatment processes, i.e. activated sludge aeration, could aerosolise PFAS into airborne PM.
Haley M. Royer, Michael T. Sheridan, Hope E. Elliott, Edmund Blades, Nurun Nahar Lata, Zezhen Cheng, Swarup China, Zihua Zhu, Andrew P. Ault, and Cassandra J. Gaston
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5743–5759, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5743-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5743-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Saharan dust transported across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, South America, and North America is hypothesized to undergo chemical processing by acids that enhances cloud droplet formation and nutrient availability. In this study, chemical analysis performed on African dust deposited over Barbados shows that acid tracers are found mostly on sea salt and smoke particles, rather than dust, indicating that dust particles undergo minimal chemical processing.
Zhao Wei, Shohei Hattori, Asuka Tsuruta, Zhuang Jiang, Sakiko Ishino, Koji Fujita, Sumito Matoba, Lei Geng, Alexis Lamothe, Ryu Uemura, Naohiro Yoshida, Joel Savarino, and Yoshinori Iizuka
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5727–5742, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5727-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5727-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Nitrate isotope records in ice cores reveal changes in NOₓ emissions and atmospheric oxidation chemistry driven by human activity. However, UV-driven postdepositional processes can alter nitrate in snow, making snow accumulation rates critical for preserving these records. This study examines nitrate isotopes in a southeastern Greenland ice core, where high snow accumulation minimizes these effects, providing a reliable archive of atmospheric nitrogen cycling.
Genevieve Rose Lorenzo, Luke D. Ziemba, Avelino F. Arellano, Mary C. Barth, Ewan C. Crosbie, Joshua P. DiGangi, Glenn S. Diskin, Richard Ferrare, Miguel Ricardo A. Hilario, Michael A. Shook, Simone Tilmes, Jian Wang, Qian Xiao, Jun Zhang, and Armin Sorooshian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 5469–5495, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5469-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-5469-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Novel aerosol hygroscopicity analyses of CAMP2Ex (Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment) field campaign data show low aerosol hygroscopicity values in Southeast Asia. Organic carbon from smoke decreases hygroscopicity to levels more like those in continental than in polluted marine regions. Hygroscopicity changes at cloud level demonstrate how surface particles impact clouds in the region, affecting model representation of aerosol and cloud interactions in similar polluted marine regions with high organic carbon emissions.
Yunfeng He, Xiang Ding, Quanfu He, Yuqing Zhang, Duohong Chen, Tao Zhang, Kong Yang, Junqi Wang, Qian Cheng, Hao Jiang, Zirui Wang, Ping Liu, Xinming Wang, and Michael Boy
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2204, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2204, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The long-term field measurements in the Pearl River Delta revealed a significant decline in PM2.5 main components. As air quality improved, secondary species became more dominant. In addition, the proportion of nitrate had doubled. The changes in chemical composition led to the reductions in aerosol acidity, liquid water content and light extinction coefficient. Our results help to improve understanding of the secondary species formation under decreasing anthropogenic emissions.
Shubin Li, Yujue Wang, Yiwen Zhang, Yizhe Yi, Yuchen Wang, Yuqi Guo, Chao Yu, Yue Jiang, Jinhui Shi, Chao Zhang, Jialei Zhu, Wei Hu, Jianzhen Yu, Xiaohong Yao, Huiwang Gao, and Min Hu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2154, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2154, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Organosulfates (OSs) are an unrecognized and potentially important component in marine organic aerosols. In this study, we quantified and characterized the OSs over East Asian marginal seas. The chemical nature and spatiotemporal distribution of OSs were modified by the joint influence of marine emissions and transported terrestrial pollutants. The results highlight the vital roles of OSs in shaping organic aerosol formation and sulfur cycle during summer in marine boundary layer.
Kouji Adachi, Atsushi Yoshida, Tatsuhiro Mori, Nobuhiro Moteki, Sho Ohata, Kazuyuki Kita, Yoshimi Kawai, and Makoto Koike
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2230, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2230, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study measured the compositions and mixing states of individual aerosol particles collected at different altitudes over the western North Pacific by simultaneous sampling from an aircraft and a research vessel. The results showed that they were strongly influenced by Siberian Forest biomass burning and mixed with sea spray, and identified various aerosol compositions at different altitudes, sizes, and aerosol sources, highlighting a wide range of individual particle compositions.
Diana L. Pereira, Chiara Giorio, Aline Gratien, Alexander Zherebker, Gael Noyalet, Servanne Chevaillier, Stéphanie Alage, Elie Almarj, Antonin Bergé, Thomas Bertin, Mathieu Cazaunau, Patrice Coll, Ludovico Di Antonio, Sergio Harb, Johannes Heuser, Cécile Gaimoz, Oscar Guillemant, Brigitte Language, Olivier Lauret, Camilo Macias, Franck Maisonneuve, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Raquel Torres, Sylvain Triquet, Pascal Zapf, Lelia Hawkins, Drew Pronovost, Sydney Riley, Pierre-Marie Flaud, Emilie Perraudin, Pauline Pouyes, Eric Villenave, Alexandre Albinet, Olivier Favez, Robin Aujay-Plouzeau, Vincent Michoud, Christopher Cantrell, Manuela Cirtog, Claudia Di Biagio, Jean-François Doussin, and Paola Formenti
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4885–4905, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4885-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4885-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In order to study aerosols in environments influenced by anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, we performed analyses of samples collected during the ACROSS (Atmospheric Chemistry Of the Suburban Forest) campaign in summer 2022 in the greater Paris area. After analysis of the chemical composition by means of total carbon determination and high-resolution mass spectrometry, this work highlights the influence of anthropogenic inputs on the chemical composition of both urban and forested areas.
Kimmo Teinilä, Sanna Saarikoski, Henna Lintusaari, Teemu Lepistö, Petteri Marjanen, Minna Aurela, Heidi Hellén, Toni Tykkä, Markus Lampimäki, Janne Lampilahti, Luis Barreira, Timo Mäkelä, Leena Kangas, Juha Hatakka, Sami Harni, Joel Kuula, Jarkko V. Niemi, Harri Portin, Jaakko Yli-Ojanperä, Ville Niemelä, Milja Jäppi, Katrianne Lehtipalo, Joonas Vanhanen, Liisa Pirjola, Hanna E. Manninen, Tuukka Petäjä, Topi Rönkkö, and Hilkka Timonen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4907–4928, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4907-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Physical and chemical properties of particulate matter and concentrations of trace gases were measured in a street canyon in Helsinki, Finland, and an urban background site in January–February 2022 to investigate the effect of wintertime conditions on pollutants. State-of-the-art instruments and a mobile laboratory were used, and the measurement data were analysed further with modelling tools like positive matrix factorization and the Pollution Detection Algorithm.
Guilherme Martins Pereira, Leonardo Yoshiaki Kamigauti, Rubens Fabio Pereira, Djacinto Monteiro dos Santos, Thayná da Silva Santos, José Vinicius Martins, Célia Alves, Cátia Gonçalves, Ismael Casotti Rienda, Nora Kováts, Thiago Nogueira, Luciana Rizzo, Paulo Artaxo, Regina Maura de Miranda, Marcia Akemi Yamasoe, Edmilson Dias de Freitas, Pérola de Castro Vasconcellos, and Maria de Fatima Andrade
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4587–4616, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4587-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4587-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The chemical composition of fine particulate matter was studied in the megacity of São Paulo (Brazil) during a polluted period. Vehicular-related sources remain relevant; however, a high contribution of biomass burning was observed and correlated with sample ecotoxicity. Emerging biomass burning sources, such as forest fires and sugarcane-bagasse-based power plants, highlight the need for additional control measures alongside stricter rules concerning vehicular emissions.
Tao Qiu, Yanting Qiu, Yongyi Yuan, Rui Su, Xiangxinyue Meng, Jialiang Ma, Xiaofan Wang, Yu Gu, Zhijun Wu, Yang Ning, Xiuyi Hua, Dapeng Liang, and Deming Dong
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1808, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our research reveals that some species from biomass burning and coal combustion dominate the light absorption of organic aerosols during winter. Cold weather helps these species accumulate in aerosols by slowing their degradation and altering atmospheric chemical processes. This means colder regions might experience stronger and more persistent climate impacts. Our findings highlight the importance of local temperatures and pollution sources when tackling climate challenges.
Can Wu, Yubao Chen, Yuwei Sun, Huijun Zhang, Si Zhang, Cong Cao, Jianjun Li, and Gehui Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1668, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1668, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA), as an important atmospheric component, is prevalent within the boundary layer and can influence air quality and human health. Our observations demonstrate that anthropogenic NOx and the enhanced aerosol water driven by sulfate inhibit BSOA formation in lifting air masses, leading to a moderate reduction in the SOA burden in the upper boundary layer.
Emmanuel Chevassus, Kirsten N. Fossum, Darius Ceburnis, Lu Lei, Chunshui Lin, Wei Xu, Colin O'Dowd, and Jurgita Ovadnevaite
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4107–4129, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4107-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4107-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the first source apportionment of organic aerosol at Mace Head via high-resolution mass spectrometry. Introducing transfer entropy as a novel method reveals that aged organic aerosol originates from both open-ocean ozonolysis and local peat-burning oxidation. Methanesulfonic acid and organic sea spray both mirror phytoplankton activity, with the former closely tied to coccolithophore blooms and the latter linked to diatoms, chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria.
Paola Formenti, Chiara Giorio, Karine Desboeufs, Alexander Zherebker, Marco Gaetani, Clarissa Baldo, Gautier Landrot, Simona Montebello, Servanne Chevaillier, Sylvain Triquet, Guillaume Siour, Claudia Di Biagio, Francesco Battaglia, Jean-François Doussin, Anais Feron, Andreas Namwoonde, and Stuart John Piketh
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-446, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-446, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The elemental composition and solubility of several metals, including iron, at a coastal site in Namibia in August–September 2017, indicate that natural and anthropogenic dust had different solubility depending on mineralogy but mostly to the processing by fluoride ions from marine emissions, pointing out to the complexity of atmospheric/oceanic interactions in this region of the world influenced by the Benguela current and significant aerosol load.
Jia-Yuan Wang, Meng-Xue Tang, Shan Lu, Ke-Jin Tang, Xing Peng, Ling-Yan He, and Xiao-Feng Huang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1034, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1034, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study explores how secondary organic aerosols (SOA), a major component of air pollution, form in different particle sizes in a coastal city in China. We found that SOA in fine particles is mainly produced through aqueous chemical reactions, especially those involving iron. In contrast, coarse particles form SOA through reactions with ozone and gases from both fossil fuels and natural sources. These findings highlight the need for size-specific air pollution models.
Ashutosh K. Shukla, Sachchida N. Tripathi, Shamitaksha Talukdar, Vishnu Murari, Sreenivas Gaddamidi, Manousos-Ioannis Manousakas, Vipul Lalchandani, Kuldeep Dixit, Vinayak M. Ruge, Peeyush Khare, Mayank Kumar, Vikram Singh, Neeraj Rastogi, Suresh Tiwari, Atul K. Srivastava, Dilip Ganguly, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, and André S. H. Prévôt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3765–3784, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3765-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study delves into the elemental composition of aerosols at three sites across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), revealing distinct patterns during pollution episodes. We found significant increases in chlorine (Cl)-rich and solid fuel combustion (SFC) sources, indicating dynamic emission sources, agricultural burning impacts, and meteorological influences. Surges in Cl-rich particles during cold periods highlight their role in particle growth under high-relative-humidity conditions.
Kemei Li, Yanqing An, Jianzhong Xu, Miao Zhong, Wenhui Zhao, and Xiang Qin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-41, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-41, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a year-long PM2.5 study at Waliguan Baseline Observatory in the northeast of the Tibet Plateau to investigate the optical properties of water-soluble brown carbon and its source. Our findings highlight that organic matter, sulfate, and nitrate are the dominant contributors to PM2.5 mass concentrations. Notable seasonal variations in the light absorption capacity of water-soluble brown carbon, accompanied by a high degree of photochemical oxidation are also observed.
Ye Kuang, Biao Luo, Shan Huang, Junwen Liu, Weiwei Hu, Yuwen Peng, Duohong Chen, Dingli Yue, Wanyun Xu, Bin Yuan, and Min Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3737–3752, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3737-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This research reveals the potential importance of nighttime NO3 radical chemistry and aerosol water in the rapid formation of secondary brown carbon from diluted biomass burning emissions. The findings enhance our understanding of nighttime biomass burning evolution and its implications for climate and regional air quality, especially regarding interactions with background aerosol water and water-rich fogs and clouds.
Rongshuang Xu, Yu-Chi Lin, Siyu Bian, Feng Xie, and Yan-Lin Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-683, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-683, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work reported the hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) level in a continental city and, for the first time, in marine atmosphere. The enhancement by aerosol ionic strength (IS) on HMS formation was quantified which first rise with increasing IS, peaking at 4 mol kg–1 before declining. Given the IS range of marine (2–6) and urban aerosol (6–20 mol kg–1) and the clearly negative correlation between humidity and IS, the moderate IS level under humid condition may notably boost ambient HMS formation.
Jing Li, Jiaoshi Zhang, Xianda Gong, Steven Spielman, Chongai Kuang, Ashish Singh, Maria A. Zawadowicz, Lu Xu, and Jian Wang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-726, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-726, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using measurements at a rural coastal site, we quantified aerosols in representative air masses and identified major source of organics in Houston area. Our results show cooking aerosol is likely overestimated by earlier studies. Additionally, diurnal variation of highly oxidized organics is mostly driven by air mass changes instead of photochemistry. This study highlights the impacts of emissions, atmospheric chemistry, and meteorology on aerosol properties in the coastal-rural environment.
Fan Mei, Qi Zhang, Damao Zhang, Jerome D. Fast, Gourihar Kulkarni, Mikhail S. Pekour, Christopher R. Niedek, Susanne Glienke, Israel Silber, Beat Schmid, Jason M. Tomlinson, Hardeep S. Mehta, Xena Mansoura, Zezhen Cheng, Gregory W. Vandergrift, Nurun Nahar Lata, Swarup China, and Zihua Zhu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3425–3444, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3425-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3425-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study highlights the unique capability of the ArcticShark, an uncrewed aerial system, in measuring vertically resolved atmospheric properties. Data from 32 research flights in 2023 reveal seasonal patterns and correlations with conventional measurements. The consistency and complementarity of in situ and remote sensing methods are highlighted. The study demonstrates the ArcticShark’s versatility in bridging data gaps and improving the understanding of vertical atmospheric structures.
Zheng Li, Gehui Wang, Binyu Xiao, Rongjie Li, Can Wu, Shaojun Lv, Feng Wu, Qingyan Fu, and Yusen Duan
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-654, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-654, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Gas-to-aerosol partitioning of organics were investigated in Shanghai during 2023 dust storm period. We found the partitioning coefficients (Fp) of WSOCs in DS were comparable to those during a haze episode (HE), and aerosol liquid water content primarily drove Fp variation in HE, while pH was the dominant factor in DS. Moreover, an enhanced light absorption of Asian dust by brown carbon, mainly in coarse mode, formation was revealed.
Marco Paglione, Yufang Hao, Stefano Decesari, Mara Russo, Karam Mansour, Mauro Mazzola, Diego Fellin, Andrea Mazzanti, Emilio Tagliavini, Manousos Ioannis Manousakas, Evangelia Diapouli, Elena Barbaro, Matteo Feltracco, Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach, and Matteo Rinaldi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-760, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-760, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A year-long set of PM1 samples from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, was analyzed by H-NMR and HR-TOF-AMS for the chemical characterization of the organic fraction. Positive Matrix Factorization allowed to identify five organic aerosol sources with specific seasonality. Winter-spring aerosol is dominated by Eurasian pollution, while summer is characterized by biogenic aerosols from marine sources; occasional summertime high OA loadings are associated with wildfire aerosols.
Ting Yang, Yu Xu, Yu-Chen Wang, Yi-Jia Ma, Hong-Wei Xiao, Hao Xiao, and Hua-Yun Xiao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2967–2978, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2967-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2967-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Previous measurement–model comparisons of atmospheric isoprene levels showed a significant unidentified source of isoprene in some northern Chinese cities during winter. Here, the first combination of large-scale observations and field combustion experiments provides novel insights into biomass burning emissions as a significant source of isoprene-derived organosulfates during winter in northern cities of China.
Agnesh Panta, Konrad Kandler, Kerstin Schepanski, Andres Alastuey, Pavla Dagsson Waldhauserova, Sylvain Dupont, Melanie Eknayan, Cristina González-Flórez, Adolfo González-Romero, Martina Klose, Mara Montag, Xavier Querol, Jesús Yus-Díez, and Carlos Pérez García-Pando
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-494, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-494, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Iceland is among the most active dust source areas in the world. Dust properties are influenced by particle size, mineralogy, shape, and mixing state. This work characterizes freshly emitted individual aerosol particles of Icelandic dust using electron microscopy. Our study provides insights into critical particle-specific information will contribute to better constraining climate models that consider mineralogical variations in their representation of the dust cycle.
Xueqin Zheng, Junwen Liu, Nima Chuduo, Bian Ba, Pengfei Yu, Phu Drolgar, Fang Cao, and Yanlin Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-164, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-164, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we present the first report on the annual variation of stable oxygen isotope anomalies (∆17O = δ17O - 0.52 × δ18O) in NO3- collected from the urban area of Lhasa , on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Using a Bayesian isotope mixture model, we found that the relative contribution of the NO3+VOC pathway to NO3- formation in spring in Lhasa was several times higher than in urban cities, highlighting the significant influence of VOC transported from outside the Tibetan Plateau.
Yi-Jia Ma, Yu Xu, Ting Yang, Lin Gui, Hong-Wei Xiao, Hao Xiao, and Hua-Yun Xiao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2763–2780, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2763-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2763-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The abundance, potential precursors, and main formation mechanisms of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) in PM2.5 during winter were compared among cities with different energy consumption patterns. The aerosol NOC pollution during winter in China is closely associated with the intensity of precursor emissions and the aqueous-phase processes. Our results highlight the importance of emission reduction strategies in controlling aerosol NOCs pollution during winter in China.
Dane Blanchard, Mark Gordon, Duc Huy Dang, Paul Andrew Makar, and Julian Aherne
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2423–2442, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2423-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2423-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study offers the first known evaluation of water-soluble brown carbon aerosols in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR), Canada. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis of aerosol samples from five regional sites (collected during the summer of 2021) identified oil sands operations as a measurable brown carbon source. Industrial aerosol emissions were unlikely to impact regional radiative forcing. These findings show that fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to monitor brown carbon in the AOSR.
Kira Zeider, Kayla McCauley, Sanja Dmitrovic, Leong Wai Siu, Yonghoon Choi, Ewan C. Crosbie, Joshua P. DiGangi, Glenn S. Diskin, Simon Kirschler, John B. Nowak, Michael A. Shook, Kenneth L. Thornhill, Christiane Voigt, Edward L. Winstead, Luke D. Ziemba, Paquita Zuidema, and Armin Sorooshian
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2407–2422, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2407-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2407-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In situ aircraft data collected over the northwest Atlantic Ocean are utilized to compare aerosol conditions and turbulence between near-surface and below-cloud-base altitudes for different regimes of coupling strength between those two levels, along with how cloud microphysical properties vary across those regimes. Stronger coupling yields more homogenous aerosol structure vertically along with higher cloud drop concentrations and sea salt influence in clouds.
Junke Zhang, Xinyi Fu, Chunying Chen, Yunfei Su, Siyu Liu, Luyao Chen, Yubao Chen, Gehui Wang, and Andre S. H. Prevot
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-92, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-92, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The 125 organic aerosol (OA) compounds in PM2.5 in winter in Chengdu were measured at the molecular level. OA was dominated by fatty acids, phthalate esters, and anhydrosugars, and were deeply influenced by anthropogenic sources. As pollution worsens: secondary inorganic species and secondary organic carbon (OC) dominated the increase in PM2.5; fatty acids and anhydrosugars dominated the increase in OA; and the contribution of secondary formation and biomass burning to OC increased markedly.
Amie Dobracki, Ernie R. Lewis, Arthur J. Sedlacek III, Tyler Tatro, Maria A. Zawadowicz, and Paquita Zuidema
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2333–2363, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2333-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2333-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Biomass-burning aerosol is commonly present in the marine boundary layer over the southeast Atlantic Ocean between June and October. Our research indicates that burning conditions, aerosol transport pathways, and prolonged oxidation processes (heterogeneous and aqueous phases) determine the chemical, microphysical, and optical properties of the boundary layer aerosol. Notably, we find that the aerosol optical properties can be estimated from the chemical properties alone.
Benjamin Heutte, Nora Bergner, Hélène Angot, Jakob B. Pernov, Lubna Dada, Jessica A. Mirrielees, Ivo Beck, Andrea Baccarini, Matthew Boyer, Jessie M. Creamean, Kaspar R. Daellenbach, Imad El Haddad, Markus M. Frey, Silvia Henning, Tiia Laurila, Vaios Moschos, Tuukka Petäjä, Kerri A. Pratt, Lauriane L. J. Quéléver, Matthew D. Shupe, Paul Zieger, Tuija Jokinen, and Julia Schmale
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 2207–2241, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2207-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-2207-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Limited aerosol measurements in the central Arctic hinder our understanding of aerosol–climate interactions in the region. Our year-long observations of aerosol physicochemical properties during the MOSAiC expedition reveal strong seasonal variations in aerosol chemical composition, where the short-term variability is heavily affected by storms in the Arctic. Local wind-generated particles are shown to be an important source of cloud seeds, especially in autumn.
Yifan Zhang, Rui Li, Zachary B. Bunnell, Yizhu Chen, Guanhong Zhu, Jinlong Ma, Guohua Zhang, Tim M. Conway, and Mingjin Tang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-474, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-474, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The sources of aerosol Fe, especially soluble aerosol Fe, remain to be constrained. The stable isotope ratio of Fe (δ56Fe) has emerged as a potential tracer for discriminating and quantifying sources of aerosol Fe. In this review, we examine the state of the field for using δ56Fe as an aerosol source tracer, and constraints on endmember signatures.
Feng Jiang, Harald Saathoff, Uzoamaka Ezenobi, Junwei Song, Hengheng Zhang, Linyu Gao, and Thomas Leisner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1917–1930, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1917-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1917-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The chemical composition of brown carbon in the particle and gas phase was determined by mass spectrometry. BrC in the gas phase was mainly controlled by secondary formation and particle-to-gas partitioning. BrC in the particle phase was mainly from secondary formation. This work helps to get a better understanding of diurnal variations and the sources of brown carbon aerosol at a rural location in central Europe.
Kohei Sakata, Shotaro Takano, Atsushi Matsuki, Yasuo Takeichi, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Aya Sakaguchi, Minako Kurisu, and Yoshio Takahashi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-161, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-161, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Deposition of aerosol iron (Fe) into the ocean stimulates primary production and influences the global carbon cycle, although the factors governing the aerosol Fe solubility remain uncertain. Our observations in Japan revealed that both mineral dust and anthropogenic aerosols are significant sources of dissolved Fe, and that atmospheric chemical weathering enhances their solubility. This finding is expected to play a crucial role in estimating the supply of dissolved iron to the ocean.
Cited articles
Armstrong, R. A., Peterson, M. L., Lee, C., and Wakeham, S. G.: Settling velocity spectra and the ballast ratio hypothesis, Deep-Sea Res, Pt. II, 56, 1470–1478, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2008.11.032, 2009.
Baker, A. R., Kelly, S. D., Biswas, K. F., Witt, M., and Jickells, T. D.: Atmospheric deposition of nutrients to the Atlantic Ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 2296, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL018518, 2003.
Berelson, W. M.: Particle settling rates increase with depth in the ocean, Deep-Sea Res. Pt II, 49, 237–251, 2002.
Bonnin, J., Van Haren, H., Hosegood, P., and Brummer, G.-J. A.: Burst resuspension of seabed material at the foot of the continental slope in the Rockall Channel, Mar. Geol., 226, 167–184, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2005.11.006, 2006.
Bory, A. J. M. and Newton, P. P.: Transport of airborne lithogenic material down through the water column in two contrasting regions of the eastern subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 14, 297–315, https://doi.org/10.1029/1999GB900098, 2000.
Bory, A., Jeandel, C., Leblond, N., Vangriesheim, A., Khripounoff, A., Beaufort, L., Rabouille, C., Nicolas, E., Tachikawa, K., Etcheber, H., and Buat-Ménard, P.: Downward particle fluxes within different productivity regimes off the Mauritanian upwelling zone (EUMELI program), Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 48, 2251–2282, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(01)00010-3, 2001.
Bory, A., Dulac, F., Moulin, C., Chiapello, I., Newton, P. P., Guelle, W., Lambert, C. E., and Bergametti, G.: Atmospheric and oceanic dust fluxes in the northeastern tropical Atlantic Ocean: how close a coupling?, Ann. Geophys., 20, 2067–2076, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-20-2067-2002, 2002.
Cachier, H., Liousse, C., Buat-Menard, P., and Gaudichet, A.: Particulate content of savanna fire emissions, J. Atmos. Chem., 22, 123–148, 1995.
Caquineau, S., Gaudichet, A., Gomes, L., and Legrand, M.: Mineralogy of Saharan dust transported over northwestern tropical Atlantic Ocean in relation to source regions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, AAC 4-1–AAC 4-12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JD000247, 2002.
Chiapello, I., Bergametti, G., Gomes, L., Chatenet, B., Dulac, F., Pimenta, J., and Santos Suares, E.: An additional low layer transport of Sahelian and Saharan dust over the north-eastern tropical Atlantic, Geophys. Res. Lett., 22, 3191–3194, 1995.
Chiapello, I. and Moulin, C.: TOMS and METEOSAT satellite records of the variability of Saharan dust transport over the Atlantic during the last two decades (1979–1997), Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 17-11–17-14, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL013767, 2002.
DeMaster, D. J.: The supply and accumulation of silica in the marine environment, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 45, 1715–1732, 1981.
Deuser, W., Muller-Karger, F., and Hemleben, C.: Temporal variations of particle fluxes in the deep subtropical and tropical North Atlantic: Eulerian versus Lagrangian effects, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 93, 6857–6862, 1988.
Fischer, G. and Karakas, G.: Sinking rates and ballast composition of particles in the Atlantic Ocean: implications for the organic carbon fluxes to the deep ocean, Biogeosciences, 6, 85–102, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-6-85-2009, 2009.
Fischer, G. and Wefer, G.: Long-term Observation of Particle Fluxes in the Eastern Atlantic: Seasonality, Changes of Flux with Depth and Comparison with the Sediment Record, in: The South Atlantic, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 325–344, 1996.
Fischer, G., Karakas, G., Blaas, M., Ratmeyer, V., Nowald, N., Schlitzer, R., Helmke, P., Davenport, R., Donner, B., Neuer, S., and Wefer, G.: Mineral ballast and particle settling rates in the coastal upwelling system off NW Africa and the South Atlantic, Int. J. Earth Sci., 98, 281–298, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0234-7, 2007.
Fischer, G., Reuter, C., Karakas, G., Nowald, N., and Wefer, G.: Offshore advection of particles within the Cape Blanc filament, Mauritania: Results from observational and modelling studies, Prog. Oceanogr., 83, 322–330, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2009.07.023, 2009.
Fischer, G., Romero, O., Merkel, U., Donner, B., Iversen, M., Nowald, N., Ratmeyer, V., Ruhland, G., Klann, M., and Wefer, G.: Deep ocean mass fluxes in the coastal upwelling off Mauritania from 1988 to 2012: variability on seasonal to decadal timescales, Biogeosciences, 13, 3071–3090, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-3071-2016, 2016.
Fréon, P., Arístegui, J., Bertrand, A., Crawford, R. J. M., Field, J. C., Gibbons, M. J., Tam, J., Hutchings, L., Masski, H., Mullon, C., Ramdani, M., Seret, B., and Simier, M.: Functional group biodiversity in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems questions the wasp-waist trophic structure, Prog. Oceanogr., 83, 97–106, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2009.07.034, 2009.
Friese, C. A., van Hateren, H., Vogt, C., Fischer, G., and Stuut, J.-B. W.: Seasonal provenance changes of present-day Saharan dust collected on- and offshore Mauritania, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2017-131, in review, 2017.
Gardner, W. D.: The effect of tilt on sediment trap efficiency, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. A, 32, 349–361, https://doi.org/10.1016/0198-0149(85)90083-4, 1985.
Glaccum, R. A. and Prospero, J. M.: Saharan aerosols over the tropical North Atlantic – mineralogy, Mar. Geol., 37, 295–321, 1980.
Goossens, D. and Offer, Z. Y.: Wind tunnel and field calibration of six aeolian dust samplers, Atmos. Environ., 34, 1043–1057, https://doi.org/10.1016/s1352-2310(99)00376-3, 2000.
Goudie, A. S. and Middleton, N. J.: Saharan dust storms: nature and consequences, Earth-Sci. Rev., 56, 179–204, 2001.
Grasshoff, K., Ehrhardt, M., and Kremling, K.: Methods of seawater analysis, Verlag Chemie, New York, 193–198, 1983.
Griffin, D. W., Garrison, V. H., Herman, J. R., and Shinn, E. A.: African desert dust in the Caribbean atmosphere: Microbiology and public health, Aerobiologia, V17, 203–213, 2001.
Hamm, C. E.: Interactive aggregation and sedimentation of diatoms and clay-sized lithogenic material, Limnol. Oceanogr, 47, 1790–1795, 2002.
Huang, J., Zhang, C., and Prospero, J. M.: African dust outbreaks: A satellite perspective of temporal and spatial variability over the tropical Atlantic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 115, D05202, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JD012516, 2010.
Ittekkot, V., Haake, B., Bartsch, M., Nair, R., and Ramaswamy, V.: Organic carbon removal in the sea: the continental connection, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 64, 167–176, 1992.
Jickells, T. D., Newton, P. P., King, P., Lampitt, R. S., and Boutle, C.: A comparison of sediment trap records of particle fluxes from 19 to 48° N in the northeast Atlantic and their relation to surface water productivity, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 43, 971–986, 1996.
Jickells, T. D., Dorling, S., Deuser, W. G., Church, T. M., Arimoto, R., and Prospero, J. M.: Air-borne dust fluxes to a deep water sediment trap in the Sargasso Sea, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 12, 311–320, https://doi.org/10.1029/97GB03368, 1998.
Jickells, T. D., An, Z. S., Andersen, K. K., Baker, A. R., Bergametti, G., Brooks, N., Cao, J. J., Boyd, P. W., Duce, R. A., Hunter, K. A., Kawahata, H., Kubilay, N., laRoche, J., Liss, P. S., Mahowald, N., Prospero, J. M., Ridgwell, A. J., Tegen, I., and Torres, R.: Global Iron Connections Between Desert Dust, Ocean Biogeochemistry, and Climate, Science, 308, 67–71, 2005.
Kaly, F., Marticorena, B., Chatenet, B., Rajot, J.-L., Janicot, S., Niang, A., Yahi, H., Thiria, S., Maman, A., and Zakou, A.: Variability of mineral dust concentrations over West Africa monitored by the Sahelian Dust Transect, Atmos. Res., 164, 226–241, 2015.
Kandler, K., Schütz, L., Deutscher, C., Ebert, M., Hofmann, H., Jäckel, S., Jaenicke, R., Knippertz, P., Lieke, K., Massling, A., Petzold, A., Schladitz, A., Weinzierl, B., Wiedensohler, A., Zorn, S., and Weinbruch, S.: Size distribution, mass concentration, chemical and mineralogical composition and derived optical parameters of the boundary layer aerosol at Tinfou, Morocco, during SAMUM 2006, Tellus B, 61, 32–50, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0889.2008.00385.x, 2009.
Kandler, K., Schütz, L., Jäckel, S., Lieke, K., Emmel, C., Müller-Ebert, D., Ebert, M., Scheuvens, D., Schladitz, A., and Šegvić, B.: Ground-based off-line aerosol measurements at Praia, Cape Verde, during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment: microphysical properties and mineralogy, Tellus B, 63, 459–474, 2011.
Kanitz, T., Engelmann, R., Heinold, B., Baars, H., Skupin, A., and Ansmann, A.: Tracking the Saharan Air Layer with shipborne lidar across the tropical Atlantic, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, 1044–1050, 2014.
Klaas, C. and Archer, D. E.: Association of sinking organic matter with various types of mineral ballast in the deep sea: Implications for the rain ratio, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 16, 1116, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001gb001765, 2002.
Knappertsbusch, M. and Brummer, G.-J.: A sediment trap investigation of sinking coccolithophorids in the North Atlantic, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 42, 1083–1109, 1995.
Knauer, G. and Asper, V.: Sediment Trap Technology and Sampling, U.S. Global Ocean Flux Study, WHOI, US GOFS Planning Report, 1989.
Koning, E., Epping, E., and Van Raaphorst, W.: Determining biogenic silica in marine samples by tracking silicate and aluminium concentrations in alkaline leaching solutions, Aquat. Geochem., 8, 37–67, 2002.
Korte, L. F., Brummer, G.-J. A., van der Does, M., Guerreiro, C. V., Hennekam, R., van Hateren, J. A., Jong, D., Munday, C., Schouten, S., Stuut, J.-B. W.: Present-day sediment trap particle fluxes across the tropical North Atlanitc Ocean, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.872093, 2017.
Liu, Z., Omar, A., Vaughan, M., Hair, J., Kittaka, C., Hu, Y., Powell, K., Trepte, C., Winker, D., Hostetler, C., Ferrare, R., and Pierce, R.: CALIPSO lidar observations of the optical properties of Saharan dust: A case study of long-range transport, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 113, D07207, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD008878, 2008.
Maher, B. A., Prospero, J. M., Mackie, D., Gaiero, D., Hesse, P. P., and Balkanski, Y.: Global connections between aeolian dust, climate and ocean biogeochemistry at the present day and at the last glacial maximum, Earth-Sci. Rev., 99, 61–97, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.12.001, 2010.
Mahowald, N., Albani, S., Kok, J. F., Engelstaeder, S., Scanza, R., Ward, D. S., and Flanner, M. G.: The size distribution of desert dust aerosols and its impact on the Earth system, Aeolian Research, 15, 53–71, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2013.09.002, 2014.
Marticorena, B., Chatenet, B., Rajot, J. L., Traoré, S., Coulibaly, M., Diallo, A., Koné, I., Maman, A., NDiaye, T., and Zakou, A.: Temporal variability of mineral dust concentrations over West Africa: analyses of a pluriannual monitoring from the AMMA Sahelian Dust Transect, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 8899–8915, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-8899-2010, 2010.
Mortlock, R. A. and Froelich, P. N.: A simple method for the rapid determination of biogenic opal in pelagic marine sediments, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 36, 1415–1426, 1989.
Mulitza, S., Prange, M., Stuut, J.-B. W., Zabel, M., von Dobeneck, T., Itambi, A. C., Nizou, J., Schulz, M., and Wefer, G.: Sahel megadroughts triggered by glacial slowdowns of Atlantic meridional overturning, Paleoceanography, 23, PA4206, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008PA001637, 2008.
Neuer, S., Freudenthal, T., Davenport, R., Llinás, O., and Rueda, M.-J.: Seasonality of surface water properties and particle flux along a productivity gradient off NW Africa, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. II, 49, 3561–3576, 2002.
Nowald, N., Iversen, M. H., Fischer, G., Ratmeyer, V., and Wefer, G.: Time series of in-situ particle properties and sediment trap fluxes in the coastal upwelling filament off Cape Blanc, Mauritania, Prog. Oceanogr., 137, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2014.12.015, 2015.
Prospero, J. M. and Lamb, P. J.: African droughts and dust transport to the Caribbean: climate change implications, Science, 302, 1024–1027, 2003.
Prospero, J. M., Bonatti, E., Schubert, C., and Carlson, T. N.: Dust in the Caribbean atmosphere traced to an African dust storm, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 9, 287–293, 1970.
Prospero, J. M., Glaccum, R. A., and Nees, R. T.: Atmospheric transport of soil dust from Africa to South America, Nature, 289, 570–572, 1981.
Prospero, J. M., Collard, F.-X., Molinie, J., and Jeannot, A.: Characterizing the annual cycle of African dust transport to the Caribbean Basin and South America and its impact on the environment and air quality, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 28, 757–773, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013gb004802, 2014.
Pye, K.: Aeolian dust and dust deposits, Academic Press, London, 334 pp., 1987.
Ratmeyer, V., Balzer, W., Bergametti, G., Chiapello, I., Fischer, G., and Wyputta, U.: Seasonal impact of mineral dust on deep-ocean particle flux in the eastern subtropical Atlantic Ocean, Mar. Geol., 159, 241–252, 1999a.
Ratmeyer, V., Fischer, G., and Wefer, G.: Lithogenic particle fluxes and grain size distributions in the deep ocean off northwest Africa: Implications for seasonal changes of aeolian dust input and downward transport, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 46, 1289–1337, 1999b.
Richter, T. O., Van der Gaast, S., Koster, B., Vaars, A., Gieles, R., de Stigter, H. C., De Haas, H., and van Weering, T. C.: The Avaatech XRF Core Scanner: technical description and applications to NE Atlantic sediments, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 267, 39–50, 2006.
Scheuvens, D., Schütz, L., Kandler, K., Ebert, M., and Weinbruch, S.: Bulk composition of northern African dust and its source sediments – A compilation, Earth-Sci. Rev., 116, 170–194, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.08.005, 2013.
Schlitzer, R.: Ocean Data View, available at: http://odv.awi.de (last access: 10 May 2017), 2015.
Siegel, D. A. and Deuser, W. G.: Trajectories of sinking particles in the Sargasso Sea: modeling of statistical funnels above deep-ocean sediment traps, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 44, 1519–1541, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(97)00028-9, 1997.
Skonieczny, C., Bory, A., Bout-Roumazeilles, V., Abouchami, W., Galer, S., Crosta, X., Stuut, J. B., Meyer, I., Chiapello, I., and Podvin, T.: The 7–13 March 2006 major Saharan outbreak: Multiproxy characterization of mineral dust deposited on the West African margin, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 116, D18210, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD016173, 2011.
Skonieczny, C., Bory, A., Bout-Roumazeilles, V., Abouchami, W., Galer, S. J. G., Crosta, X., Diallo, A., and Ndiaye, T.: A three-year time series of mineral dust deposits on the West African margin: Sedimentological and geochemical signatures and implications for interpretation of marine paleo-dust records, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 364, 145–156, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.12.039, 2013.
Stuut, J.-B. W., Zabel, M., Ratmeyer, V., Helmke, P., Schefuß, E., Lavik, G., and Schneider, R. R.: Provenance of present-day eolian dust collected off NW Africa, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D04202, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005161, 2005.
Stuut, J.-B. W., Boersen, B., Brück, H. M., Hansen, A., Koster, B., Van der Does, M., and Witte, Y.: TRAFFIC: Transatlantic fluxes of Saharan dust, Leitstelle Deutsche Forschungsschiffe, Hamburg, 28, available at: http://melia.nioz.nl/public/dmg/rpt/crs/m89.pdf (last access: 10 May 2017), 2012.
Stuut, J.-B. W., Brummer, G. J. A., van der Does, M., Friese, C., Geerken, E., van der Heide, R., Korte, L., Koster, B., Metcalfe, B., Munday, C. I., van Ooijen, J., Siccha, M., Veldhuizen, R., de Visser, J.-D., Witte, Y., and and Wuis, L.: Cruise Report RV Pelagia 64PE378, TRAFFIC II: Transatlantic Fluxes of Saharan Dust, 9 November–6 December 2013, available at: http://melia.nioz.nl/public/dmg/rpt/crs/64pe378.pdf (last access: 10 May 2017), 2013.
Subramaniam, A., Yager, P., Carpenter, E., Mahaffey, C., Björkman, K., Cooley, S., Kustka, A., Montoya, J., Sañudo-Wilhelmy, S., and Shipe, R.: Amazon River enhances diazotrophy and carbon sequestration in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean, P. Natl. Acad. Sci., 105, 10460–10465, 2008.
Thunell, R., Benitez-Nelson, C., Varela, R., Astor, Y., and Muller-Karger, F.: Particulate organic carbon fluxes along upwelling-dominated continental margins: Rates and mechanisms, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 21, GB1022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006gb002793, 2007.
Tjallingii, R., Röhl, U., Kölling, M., and Bickert, T.: Influence of the water content on X-ray fluorescence core-scanning measurements in soft marine sediments, Geochem. Geophy. Geosy., 8, Q02004, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GC001393, 2007.
Tsamalis, C., Chédin, A., Pelon, J., and Capelle, V.: The seasonal vertical distribution of the Saharan Air Layer and its modulation by the wind, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 11235–11257, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-11235-2013, 2013.
Van der Does, M., Korte, L. F., Munday, C. I., Brummer, G.-J. A., and Stuut, J.-B. W.: Particle size traces modern Saharan dust transport and deposition across the equatorial North Atlantic, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13697–13710, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13697-2016, 2016.
Van Raaphorst, W., Malschaert, H., van Haren, H., Boer, W., and Brummer, G.-J.: Cross-slope zonation of erosion and deposition in the Faeroe-Shetland Channel, North Atlantic Ocean, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 48, 567–591, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(00)00052-2, 2001.
Waniek, J., Koeve, W., and Prien, R. D.: Trajectories of sinking particles and the catchment areas above sediment traps in the northeast Atlantic, J. Mar. Res., 58, 983–1006, 2000.
Wefer, G. and Fischer, G.: Seasonal patterns of vertical particle flux in equatorial and coastal upwelling areas of the eastern Atlantic, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 40, 1613–1645, https://doi.org/10.1016/0967-0637(93)90019-Y, 1993.
Weltje, G. J. and Tjallingii, R.: Calibration of XRF core scanners for quantitative geochemical logging of sediment cores: theory and application, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 274, 423–438, 2008.
Yeung, L. Y., Berelson, W. M., Young, E. D., Prokopenko, M. G., Rollins, N., Coles, V. J., Montoya, J. P., Carpenter, E. J., Steinberg, D. K., and Foster, R. A.: Impact of diatom-diazotroph associations on carbon export in the Amazon River plume, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L18609, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL053356, 2012.
Yu, H., Chin, M., Bian, H., Yuan, T., Prospero, J. M., Omar, A. H., Remer, L. A., Winker, D. M., Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., and Zhang, Z.: Quantification of trans-Atlantic dust transport from seven-year (2007–2013) record of CALIPSO lidar measurements, Remote Sens. Environ., 159, 232–249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.12.010, 2015.
Short summary
We collected Saharan dust at the Mauritanian coast as well as in the deep the North Atlantic Ocean, along a transect at 12 °N, using an array of moored sediment traps. We demonstrated that the lithogenic particles collected in the ocean are from the same source as dust collected on the African coast. With increasing distance from the source, lithogenic elements associated with clay minerals become more important relative to quartz which is settling out faster. Seasonality is prominent, but weak.
We collected Saharan dust at the Mauritanian coast as well as in the deep the North Atlantic...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint