Characterization of Sea Surface Microlayer and Marine Aerosol Organic Composition Using STXM-NEXAFS Microscopy and FTIR Spectroscopy

ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, have published an article about samples that were collected during the North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study (NAAMES) were analyzed using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (STXM-NEXAFS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Conclusions in the abstract read as follows:  “These measurements suggest that the sea surface microlayer organic composition contributes to the range of submicron atmospheric aerosol organic functional group composition” and also “These STXM-NEXAFS results support the FTIR measurements by showing consistent organic particle clusters across the four sample types as well as heterogeneity within each type”.

Silson’s silicon nitride membranes were used for the sample preparation: frozen seawater samples were brought to room temperature, processed and then collected on one of our membranes for the STXM-NEXAFS.

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