Aerosol Composition and Atmospheric Dynamics in Coastal Regions
Summary
Aerosols in coastal regions comprise a complex mixture of particles derived from sea spray, anthropogenic emissions, biogenic activity and long-range transport. These particles vary in size, composition and phase, exerting a primary influence on local air quality, radiative balance and cloud formation. Sea salt aerosols, generated by wave action and bubble bursting, dominate coarse modes and influence halogen chemistry and optical properties, while fine particles of sulphate, nitrate and organic matter, formed via secondary processes, modulate hygroscopic growth and light scattering. The interaction of these aerosols with the marine boundary layer governs their vertical distribution and residence time. Atmospheric dynamics such as land–sea breezes, convective entrainment and frontal systems control aerosol transport, mixing and removal via wet and dry deposition. Seasonal and meteorological variations in wind patterns and humidity affect reaction pathways, particle ageing and cloud condensation nuclei activity. Recent advances have shed light on the mechanisms driving sea salt reactivity, the interplay between aerosol physicochemical properties and boundary layer structure, and the role of aerosol-cloud interactions in coastal stratocumulus regimes. Understanding these processes is crucial for improving regional climate projections, air quality management and assessment of coastal ecosystem health.
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Aerosol Composition and Atmospheric Dynamics in Coastal Regions publication trend
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Technical terms
Aerosol optical depth: A measure of the extinction of solar radiation by aerosol particles in a vertical column of the atmosphere.
Marine boundary layer: The lowest part of the atmosphere directly influenced by contact with the ocean surface, characterised by turbulent mixing.
Hygroscopicity: The ability of aerosol particles to absorb water vapour and grow in size under humid conditions.
Wet scavenging: The removal of aerosol particles from the atmosphere by precipitation processes.
Depolarisation ratio: The change in polarisation of lidar-backscattered light, used to identify non-spherical particles.
References
- Spatially coordinated airborne data and complementary products for aerosol, gas, cloud, and meteorological studies: the NASA ACTIVATE dataset. Earth System Science Data (2023).
- Sea salt reactivity over the northwest Atlantic: an in-depth look using the airborne ACTIVATE dataset. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2024).
- Airborne HSRL-2 measurements of elevated aerosol depolarization associated with non-spherical sea salt. Frontiers in Remote Sensing (2023).
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