Abstract
Marine aerosol particles were sampled over the coastal Pacific and Indian Oceans in 1992. By means of X-ray spectrometry, we have analyzed the composition of the individual particles with radii between ∼0.1 and ∼2μm. Many sea salts exhibit chlorine deficiencies. The relative weight ratios of Na, S and Cl favor the modification mainly by sulfuric acid. One sample, taken near Borneo, contains several particles that are enriched in potassium and thus are attributable to the combustion of vegetation. Contrasting to the other cases, sea-salt particles in this sample appear to have been modified by both acidic sulfate and yet another species, possibly acidic nitrate as a by-product of biomass burning.
