How sea spray particles evolve in the atmosphere
Monday, January 5, 2015 - 08:30
in Physics & Chemistry
When ocean waves make bursting whitecaps or crash against the shores, tiny particles of sea spray enter the atmosphere. Once airborne, the particles are quickly coated by carbon-rich or organic chemicals. The carbon-rich chemicals, emitted by diverse human-made and natural sources, cause the particles to evolve, according to scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Using complementary chemical imaging techniques, the team found that when temperature and humidity rise, reactions within particles create organic salts. These reacted particles, when chilled, become glass-like lumps.