Atmospheric isoprene measurements reveal larger-than-expected Southern Ocean emissions

Valerio Ferracci (), James Weber (), Conor G. Bolas, Andrew D. Robinson, Fiona Tummon, Pablo Rodríguez-Ros, Pau Cortés-Greus, Andrea Baccarini, Roderic L. Jones, Martí Galí, Rafel Simó, Julia Schmale and Neil. R. P. Harris
Additional contact information
Valerio Ferracci: Cranfield University
James Weber: University of Sheffield
Conor G. Bolas: University of Cambridge
Andrew D. Robinson: University of Cambridge
Fiona Tummon: Swiss Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss
Pablo Rodríguez-Ros: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)
Pau Cortés-Greus: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)
Andrea Baccarini: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Roderic L. Jones: University of Cambridge
Martí Galí: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)
Rafel Simó: Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC)
Julia Schmale: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Neil. R. P. Harris: Cranfield University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Isoprene is a key trace component of the atmosphere emitted by vegetation and other organisms. It is highly reactive and can impact atmospheric composition and climate by affecting the greenhouse gases ozone and methane and secondary organic aerosol formation. Marine fluxes are poorly constrained due to the paucity of long-term measurements; this in turn limits our understanding of isoprene cycling in the ocean. Here we present the analysis of isoprene concentrations in the atmosphere measured across the Southern Ocean over 4 months in the summertime. Some of the highest concentrations ( >500 ppt) originated from the marginal ice zone in the Ross and Amundsen seas, indicating the marginal ice zone is a significant source of isoprene at high latitudes. Using the United Kingdom Earth System Model we show that current estimates of sea-to-air isoprene fluxes underestimate observed isoprene by a factor >20. A daytime source of isoprene is required to reconcile models with observations. The model presented here suggests such an increase in isoprene emissions would lead to >8% decrease in the hydroxyl radical in regions of the Southern Ocean, with implications for our understanding of atmospheric oxidation and composition in remote environments, often used as proxies for the pre-industrial atmosphere.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46744-4

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