Atmospheric methyl iodide: High correlation with surface seawater temperature and its implications on the sea‐to‐air flux

Abstract

Intensive measurements of atmospheric methyl iodide taken at high, middle, and low latitudes over a period of 3 years have provided evidence for its photochemical production in seawater and given new information that sea‐to‐air transport of CH 3 I is mainly controlled by surface seawater temperature (SST). These findings suggest a highly localized production and distribution of CH 3 I in the surface microlayer. As a result, the oceanic emission of CH 3 I is likely to be larger than previous estimates based on the classical two‐layer model. Owing to the SST dependence of atmospheric CH 3 I concentration, its impact on tropospheric or stratospheric ozone depletion would be increased by El Niño or future global warming.