TRANSPORT OF ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS ACROSS THE AIR/SEA INTERFACE OF ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL MARINE AEROSOLS

A modified Gershey apparatus for artificial aerosol formation from salt solutions and sea-water samples was used to study the transfer of selected organic compounds from water to air and the parameters that influence this transfer. These parameters include the surface properties, the vapour pressure and the structure of the organic compounds and the presence of surfactants and suspended particles in the solution. In particular, alkylbenzenes and lower molecular weight n-alkanes were transported into the atmosphere while the remaining organic compounds studied were distributed between the liquid aerosol and the depleted sea water. Phthalates were present in the aerosol at high percentages (60-80%) and this behaviour is due to their surface properties towards the air/water interface. The addition of surfactants to the salt solutions generally led to a greater transfer of organic compounds into the aerosol. The results allowed the prediction of the organic composition of natural aerosol collected near Livorno (Italy) during storms in the Tyrrhenian sea.