Enhanced atmospheric transport of soil derived organic matter in spring over the high Arctic

Arctic aerosol samples collected from Alert (82.5 degrees N) have been studied using a capillary GC and CC/MS for long chain alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acids that are produced in soils by bacterial omega and omega-1 oxidations of plant-derived fatty acids. Here, we report the discovery that one month after sunrise in the Arctic, atmospheric concentrations of the soil derived, long chain dicarboxylic acids are significantly (ca. 10 times) enhanced in the high Arctic. Relative abundances of long chain diacids in aerosol total carbon contents also increased in late April to early May. In March to May during peak concentrations, the relative distribution of C-20-C-26 diacids in the Arctic aerosols was similar to those of Chinese loess samples, suggesting atmospheric transport of Asian dusts over distances of three to five thousand kilometers into the Arctic. This conclusion is supported by air parcel trajectory analyses which showed stronger transport from southern desert regions during peaks in long chain dicarboxylic acids in the Arctic.