Premium
Bromoform in tropical Atlantic air from 25°N to 25°S
Author(s) -
Carpenter Lucy J.,
Wevill David J.,
Hopkins James R.,
Dunk Rachel M.,
Jones Charlotte E.,
Hornsby Karen E.,
McQuaid James B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl029893
Subject(s) - upwelling , bromoform , plume , oceanography , tropical atlantic , environmental science , stratification (seeds) , atmospheric sciences , bromine , climatology , sea surface temperature , geology , meteorology , geography , chemistry , seed dormancy , germination , botany , organic chemistry , chromatography , dormancy , chloroform , biology
Atmospheric mixing ratios of bromoform (CHBr 3 ) measured over the eastern Atlantic Ocean were enhanced (4 to 13 pptv) between 8–25°N, 17–21°W, in air masses advected over the NW African coast/upwelling zone. The highest mixing ratios at 8–10°N were associated with a biomass burning plume from the African savannah belt. Airborne samples taken over Nigeria showed however that biomass burning here is not a source of CHBr 3 . Previously reported water samples taken near to the NW African upwelling zone do not support the very high levels of atmospheric CHBr 3 observed, unless there is significant surface stratification of the atmospheric boundary layer. Other potential explanations include coastal macroalgae and/or sources within continental Africa. It is important to ascertain the nature of tropical sources of CHBr 3 in order to establish the mechanisms of suggested feedbacks between organic bromine and climate change.