Chemical Composition, Regional Sources, and Seasonal Patterns of TSP Aerosols at Mace Head.

Chemical composition of TSP matter has been studied during long-term measurement campaign at Mace Head during 2001-2004. Aerosol particles in clean marine air masses were sampled in parallel with continuous samples to reveal relative contribution of natural sources. Inorganic composition changes revealed strong seasonal patterns, with dominant contribution of sea salt (40-95%) and anthropogenic nitrate. Natural biogenic sources contributed significantly to total aerosol budget. Wind speed and sea salt mass relationship has been examined and used to predict nssSO4 concentration in marine environment. Predicted nssSO4 was overestimated by 34%, but correlation between predicted and measured values was 0.61 at P << 0.01. Keywords Aerosol, north Atlantic, sulfate, sea salt, nitrate, ammonium, regional sources [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]