Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4207
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4207
02 Sep 2025
 | 02 Sep 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).

Sea spray promotes the sea-to-air transfer of dissolved organic carbon during phytoplankton bloom

Jie Hu, Jianlong Li, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Christian George, Feng Xu, Min Hu, and Lin Du

Abstract. The formation of sea spray aerosols (SSA) is linked to wave-breaking events at the sea surface and is widely recognized as an important pathway for the transfer of marine substances to the atmosphere. Although climate change and sea eutrophication have led to the expansion and intensification of coastal phytoplankton blooms, systematic studies on the sea-to-air transfer of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) via SSA during phytoplankton blooms are still lacking, which hinders the understanding of SSA's atmospheric chemistry and climate impacts. In this study, we observed that the phytoplankton bloom can promote DOC enrichment in SSA by 10-fold to 30-fold and investigated the mechanism of DOC sea-to-air transfer using various characterization tools. First, DOC's dynamic accumulation during phytoplankton bloom can significantly impact the interfacial properties of seawater, influencing SSA formation and subsequent DOC transfer. Second, the sea-to-air transfer of DOC depends on its selective enrichment as well as the fractionation process at the air-water interface. Interestingly, the particulate property of operationally defined DOC still needs to be considered during SSA formation. Third, the sea-to-air transfer of DOC is influenced by the synergistic effects of phytoplankton production and heterotrophic microbial processing, rather than being solely dependent on chlorophyll-a concentration. Compared to previous studies, this work focuses on the sea-to-air interface, systematically and comprehensively elucidating the relationships between DOC's transfer mechanisms, biological activity, and SSA formation. This will further improve our understanding of the ocean-atmosphere carbon cycle and provide insights into its impact on global climate change.

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Jie Hu, Jianlong Li, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Christian George, Feng Xu, Min Hu, and Lin Du

Status: open (until 14 Oct 2025)

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Jie Hu, Jianlong Li, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Christian George, Feng Xu, Min Hu, and Lin Du
Jie Hu, Jianlong Li, Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Christian George, Feng Xu, Min Hu, and Lin Du
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Short summary
Phytoplankton blooms dynamically enrich dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in sea spray aerosol by 10-30 times, with proteins and saccharides transferring at different bloom stages. The sea-to-air transfer of DOC is driven by the synergy of biological and the interaction between DOC and bubble rupture. This synergistically-driven DOC flux affects aerosol properties and climate, highlighting the ocean-atmosphere link in organic carbon cycling.
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