Sea spray aerosol in central Antarctica. Present atmospheric behaviour and implications for paleoclimatic reconstructions

From November 2004 to December 2007, size-segregated aerosol samples were collected all-year-round at Dome C (East Antarctica) by using PM10 and PM2.5 samplers, and multi-stage impactors. The data set obtained from the chemical analysis provided the longest and the most time-resolved record of sea spray aerosol (sea salt Na+) in inner Antarctica. Sea spray showed a sharp seasonal pattern. The highest values measured in winter (Apr–Nov) were about ten times larger than in summer (Dec–Mar). For the first time, a size-distribution seasonal pattern was also shown: in winter, sea spray particles are mainly sub-micrometric, while their summer size-mode is around 1–2 μm. Meteorological analysis on a synoptic scale allowed the definition of atmospheric conditions leading sea spray to Dome C. An extreme-value approach along with specific environmental based criteria was taken to yield stronger fingerprints linking atmospheric circulation (means and anomalies) to extreme sea spray events. Air mass back-trajectory analyses for some high sea spray events allowed the identification of two major air mass pathways, reflecting different size distributions: micrometric fractions for transport from the closer Indian-Pacific sector, and sub-micrometric particles for longer trajectories over the Antarctic Plateau. The seasonal pattern of the SO42−/Na+ ratio enabled the identification of few events depleted in sulphate, with respect to the seawater composition. By using methanesulphonic acid (MSA) profile to evaluate the biogenic SO42− contribution, a more reliable sea salt sulphate was calculated. In this way, few events (mainly in April and in September) were identified originating probably from the “frost flower” source. A comparison with daily-collected superficial snow samples revealed that there is a temporal shift between aerosol and snow sea spray trends. This feature could imply a more complex deposition processes of sea spray, involving significant contribution of wet and diamond dust deposition, but further work has to be carried out to rule out the effect of wind re-distribution and to have more statistic significance.

► Sea spray markers were measured in aerosol collected all-year-round at Dome C for 3 years.
► Seasonal pattern of concentration, size distribution and fractionation processes were found.
► Meteorological analysis carried out to understand transport processes and sources.
► The origin from frost flower was discussed on the basis of the sulphate/sodium ratio.
► A time shift between sea spray spikes in the aerosol and in superficial snow was found.