Investigation of Coastal Sea-Fog Formation using the WIBS (Wide Band Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor) Technique

Authors

Shane M. Daly, University College Cork, Ireland
David O'Connor, Technological University DublinFollow
David A. Healy, University College Cork, Ireland
Stig Hellebust, University College Cork, Ireland
Jovanna Arndt, University College Cork, Ireland
EoinJ. McGillicuddy, University College Cork, Ireland
Patrick Feeney, University College Cork, Ireland
Michael Quirke, University College Cork, Ireland
John C. Wenger, University College Cork, Ireland
John R. Sodeau, University College Cork, Ireland

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

1.3 PHYSICAL SCIENCES, 1.4 CHEMICAL SCIENCES

Publication Details

Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 5737–5751, 2019

Abstract

Abstract. A wideband integrated bioaerosol sensor (WIBS4) was deployed in Haulbowline Island, Cork Harbour, to detect fluorescence particles in real time during July and September 2011. A scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) was also installed providing sizing analysis of the particles over the 10–450nm range. During the campaign, multiple fog formation events occurred; they coincided with dramatic increases in the recorded fluorescent particle counts. The WIBS sizing and fluorescence intensity profiles indicated that the origin of the signals was potentially non-biological in nature (i.e. PBAPs, primary biological aerosol particles). Furthermore, the data did not support the presence of known fluorescing chemical particles like SOA (secondary organic aerosol). Complementary laboratory studies showed that the field results could potentially be explained by the adsorption of molecular iodine onto water droplets to form I2·(H2O)x complexes.Thereleaseofiodineintothecoastalatmosphere from exposed kelp at low tides has been known for many years. This process leads to the production of small IxOy particles,whichcanactascloudcondensationnuclei(CCN). While the process of molecular iodine release from coastal kelp sources, subsequent particle formation, and the observationsofseamistsandfogshavebeenstudiedindetail,this studyprovidesapotentiallinkbetweenthethreephenomena. Of mechanistic interest is the fact that molecular iodine included into (rather than on) water droplets does not appear to fluoresce as measured using WIBS instrumentation. The studyindicatesapreviouslyunsuspectedstabilizingtransport mechanism for iodine in the marine environment.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-5737-2019

Recommended Citation

S.M.Daly et al.(2019) Investigation of Coastal Sea-Fog Formation using the WIBS (Wide Band Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor) Technique, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 5737–5751, 2019. doi: 10.5194/acp-19-5737-2019