Oceanic phytoplankton are a potentially important source of benzenoids to the remote marine atmosphere

Abstract Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes can contribute to hydroxyl reactivity secondary aerosol formation in the atmosphere. These aromatic hydrocarbons are typically classified as anthropogenic air pollutants, but there is growing evidence of biogenic sources, such emissions from plants phytoplankton. Here we use a series shipborne measurements remote marine atmosphere, seawater mesocosm incubation experiments phytoplankton laboratory cultures investigate potential sources these compounds oceanic Laboratory culture confirmed source benzene, ethylbenzene, their sea-air fluxes varied between samples containing differing communities. were similar magnitude or greater than dimethyl sulfide, which considered be key reactive organic species observed increase under elevated headspace ozone concentration experiments, indicating that produce response oxidative stress. Our findings suggest gases may sufficiently strong influence atmospheric chemistry some ocean regions.