Real Time Detection of Sodium in Size-Segregated Marine Aerosols

The goal of this project is to develop a new capability for the chemical characterization of marine aerosols. This involves the development of an instrument to make quantitative, near real-time sodium concentration measurements on individual size-segregated marine aerosols. The development and deployment of a single particle sodium detector would allow us to measure the size distribution of sea salt aerosols in air in a variety of sea states and to verify laboratory-derived relationships for the formation of aerosols via sea spray bubble bursting mechanisms. This information will provide a basis for relating the abundance of sea salt aerosols to remotely observable parameters reflecting the physical state of the atmosphere and surface ocean. It will also provide insight into the influence of sea saltderived particles on the optical properties of the marine aerosol and a better understanding of how sea salt aerosols affect aerosol growth and nucleation in the marine boundary layer.