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Spatial, Temporal and Interannual Variability of Methanesulfonate and Non-Sea-Salt Sulfate in Rainwater in the Southern Indian Ocean (Amsterdam, Crozet and Kerguelen Islands)

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Abstract

Methanesulfonate (MS−) and non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO 2−4 ), two of the major oxidation products of atmospheric dimethylsulfide (DMS), have been continuously measured in rainwater at three remote islands in the Southern Indian Ocean: Amsterdam since 1991, Crozet since 1992, and Kerguelen since 1993. The annual volume weighted mean (VWM) concentrations of nss-SO 2−4 in rainwater were 3.19, 3.04 and 4.57 μ eq l−1 at Amsterdam, Crozet, and Kerguelen, respectively while the VWM of MS− were 0.24, 0.15 and 0.30 μ eq l−1, respectively. At all three islands, MS− presented a well-distinguished seasonal variation with a maximum during summer whereas the seasonal variation of nss-SO 2−4 was less pronounced, possibly due to the increased anthropogenic influence during the winter period. Furthermore, MS− presented significant interannual variations, in particular at Amsterdam and Crozet, which is closely related to the sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies). Finally, the nss-SO 2−4 deposition at Crozet Island presented a decreasing interannual trend, reflecting probably reductions in sulfur emissions from Southern Africa. On the contrary no interannual tendency was observed in the nss-SO 2−4 concentrations at Amsterdam Island, indicating that the biogeochemical sulfur cycle at this area is mainly influenced by biogenic emissions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Chemistry Department, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry, PO Box 3060, 55020, Mainz, Germany, E-mail

    E. Baboukas

  2. ECPL, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, PO Box 1470, 71409, Heraklion, Greece

    E. Baboukas & N. Mihalopoulos

  3. LSCE, CEA Arme des Merisiers, Bat 709, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France, E-mail

    J. Sciare

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  1. E. Baboukas
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  2. J. Sciare
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  3. N. Mihalopoulos
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Baboukas, E., Sciare, J. & Mihalopoulos, N. Spatial, Temporal and Interannual Variability of Methanesulfonate and Non-Sea-Salt Sulfate in Rainwater in the Southern Indian Ocean (Amsterdam, Crozet and Kerguelen Islands). Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 48, 35–57 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCH.0000034508.13326.cd

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