High bromine aerosol concentrations near Lake Huron from long-range transport from the Arctic during polar sunrise

Aerosol samples were collected at the Burnt Island sampling station in the northern part of Lake Huron, Canada. These samples were analyzed for trace elements via neutron activation analysis and aerosol concentrations were determined for the time period from 1992 through 1994. The seasonal trends of these aerosols were investigated and the results for bromine indicated seasonal highs in the month of March. This was different from the trend displayed by sodium whose peak was not as pronounced. Sodium was an indicator of the salt component of the aerosol that Br was associated with at this site. Wind trajectory end-point analysis was utilized to show that the high Br aerosol concentrations originate from the Arctic where Br aerosols have seasonal highs in the spring due to the photo-induced production of particulate Br. This research shows that the highest levels of the Br aerosol in the rural north Lake Huron area originate from the production of Br in the Arctic.