Air-Sea Exchange: Sea Salt and Organic Microcomponents in Antarctic Snow

Abstract

Abstract A characterization of surface active fluorescent organic matter (SAFOM) in Antarctic snow is carried out. Its Fulvic Acids (FA) nature is confirmed. Its enrichment in the smallest aerosol particles is shown. A tentative explanation of the presence of both natural and man-made organic microcomponents (SAFOM-interacting) is given in terms of marine aerosol transport. Their enrichment ratio appears of the same order as that of SAFOM, and their presence in the atmospheric particulate of marine origin supports the hypothesis on the transport of microcomponents in Antarctica “via marine aerosol”.