Department of Earth System Science

The atmospheric chemistry of sulfur dioxide over the tropical South Pacific Ocean is investigated by using results from field measurements and numerical models. Simultaneous real time measurements of sulfur dioxide and its biogenic precursor dimethylsulfide were made at 12°S, 135°W for a 6-day period from March 3 through March 9, 1992. The mean SO₂ and DMS mole fractions were 71 ± 56 pmol mol⁻¹ (1σ) and 453 ± 93 pmol mol⁻¹ (1σ) respectively. These concentrations are compared to those predicted by a time-dependent photochemical box model of the marine boundary layer. Model estimates of the yield of SO₂ from DMS oxidation range from 27% to 54%. Even with low yields, DMS is the dominant source of SO₂ in this region. Estimates of vertical entrainment velocities based on the tropospheric ozone budget suggest that vertical entrainment is a minor source of SO₂. The relative rates of various loss mechanisms for SO₂ are dry deposition to the sea surface (58%), in-cloud oxidation (9%), OH oxidation (5%), and uptake by sea-salt aerosols (28%).