Diurnal Emissions of Sea Spray Aerosols in Algal Blooms

While there is considerable understanding of the dependence of sea spray aerosol (SSA) properties and flux on physical properties, the interplay between microbial activity at the ocean surface and SSA formation and emission remains poorly constrained. In a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology, based on a 24-day mesocosm experiment that induced a Gephyrocapsa huxleyi bloom, the authors show that SSA number concentrations exhibit a strong diurnal cycle, with higher emissions during daylight hours. In parallel, SSA emissions declined progressively as the blooms progresses, with their highest values during the mixed-community phase and decreasing as G. huxleyi become dominant and subsequently collapsed. These findings suggest that photosynthetic processes may modulate bubble formation and thus aerosol production, while the build-up of organic matter may inhibit aerosolisation.

Reference: Flores J.M., Trainic M., Schatz D., et al. (2025). Diurnal emissions of sea spray aerosols in algal blooms. Environ Sci Technol., 59(45), 24463-24472. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c12650