OCEANIC SOURCES OF COPPER TO THE ATLANTIC AEROSOL

Copper has been determined in a series of aerosols collected on a north-south Atlantic Ocean transect and its distribution has been related to those of Na, the marine source indicator, and Al, the crustal source indicator. From the relationship between the concentrations of Cu and Na in the complete Atlantic aerosol data set, a minimum Cu/Na ratio was identified which was equivalent to a Cu enrichment of approximately 1. 9 multiplied by 10**3, relative to bulk sea water. Using the relative sea water enrichment factor of 1. 9 multiplied by 10**3, the oceanic contribution of Cu to the total Cu in the Atlantic aerosol was calculated and was compared with that having a crustal source and that from a third 'excess' source, which was probably mainly pollutant.