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Constraining global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids on sea spray aerosol using field measurements
Sha, B.; Johansson, J.H.; Salter, M.E.; Blichner, S.M.; Cousins, I.T. (2024). Constraining global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids on sea spray aerosol using field measurements. Science Advances 10(14): eadl1026. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adl1026
In: Science Advances. AAAS: New York. ISSN 2375-2548; e-ISSN 2375-2548, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Sha, B.
  • Johansson, J.H.
  • Salter, M.E.
  • Blichner, S.M.
  • Cousins, I.T.

Abstract
    Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are highly persistent anthropogenic pollutants that have been detected in the global oceans. Our previous laboratory studies demonstrated that PFAAs in seawater are remobilized to the air in sea spray aerosols (SSAs). Here, we conducted field experiments along a north-south transect of the Atlantic Ocean to study the enrichment of PFAAs in SSA. We show that in some cases PFAAs were enriched >100,000 times in the SSA relative to seawater concentrations. On the basis of the results of the field experiments, we estimate that the secondary emission of certain PFAAs from the global oceans via SSA emission is comparable to or greater than estimates for the other known global sources of PFAAs to the atmosphere from manufacturing emissions and precursor degradation.

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