Atmospheric Implications of Ocean-Atmosphere Physicochemical Interactions

Abstract. The atmosphere is the fast component of the climate which determines the meteorology i.e. every day's whether. Ocean, on the other hand, is the slow component which regulates the climate on the long term. A detailed knowledge of the interactions between these two components is crucial in order to understand the global climate phenomena. The ocean-atmosphere interface is the largest one on our planet occupying about 70 % of the Earth's surface. Hence, the physicochemical processes occurring at the interface can largely affect the chemical content of the Ocean waters and the composition of the atmosphere.

Here, we briefly discuss the chemical composition of the sea surface microlayer (SML), emphasizing the role of surface-active compounds concentrated in the SML that influence gas exchange and modulate the production of the largest natural primary aerosols (e.g., sea spray aerosols, SSA) across the ocean-atmosphere interface. We summarize recent research focused on multiphase and heterogeneous chemical processes, including photochemical reactions within the SML, and their impact on the formation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as subsequent effects on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production.

Comprehensive understanding of the ocean-atmosphere physicochemical interactions is of paramount importance in order to properly address air quality and climate issues.