Collaborative Research: Unique Sources of Carbonaceous Aerosol in the North Atlantic Basin--Impacts of African Smoke, Dust, and Marine Emission on Physicochemical Properties

This project focuses on the study of carbonaceous aerosol over the North Atlantic Basin that is believed to be more absorbing of sunlight than currently predicted. The research is expected to improve the understanding of the radiative impacts of the aerosol and of aerosol-cloud interactions over the tropical Atlantic marine boundary layer, as well as the understanding of the impacts of the aerosols on biogeochemical cycles. The knowledge gained from this research will support the development of more accurate representations of aerosol and cloud processes in numerical weather prediction and Earth system models. The project will provide workforce training opportunities by engaging high school students, undergraduate and graduate students from multiple institutions across the U.S. The three main sources of carbonaceous aerosol over the North Atlantic Basin that will be studied include soil-derived organic matter associated with transported dust, smoke from sub-Saharan wildfires, and marine organic aerosol, including from Sargassum blooms that are an emerging concern in the region. Field measurements of carbonaceous aerosol will be collected at Ragged Point in Barbados during two field campaigns, one focused on summertime dust transport and one focused on springtime smoke transport. The effort will also provide key data regarding how organic material can enhance the solubility of iron that can stimulate marine productivity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.