Isoprene above the Eastern Mediterranean: Seasonal variation and contribution to the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere

Isoprene is one of the most important biogenic volatile organic compounds with large terrestrial emissions and comparatively a small oceanic source on a global scale. This marine source seems to strongly depend on environmental parameters such as phytoplankton abundance, light, temperature, wind speed, and thus, to be highly variable. However, this source can consequently affect the chemistry of the marine boundary layer on a local or mesoscale. The present study investigates the factors that control isoprene levels and estimates the marine source of isoprene and its role in the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere at a coastal site in the East Mediterranean. More than 2000 measurements of isoprene have been conducted at Finokalia sampling station on the island of Crete over an 8-month period from February to October 2004. Isoprene varies between 5 and 1200 pptv with the highest values observed in summer. The origin of the air masses determines the atmospheric abundance and the prevailing source of isoprene. According to chemical box model calculations, during daytime the isoprene observed under marine conditions is reducing hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxy (HO2) radicals by up to 26% and 13%, respectively, whereas, it can increase the sum of peroxy radicals by a factor of 4. At night, isoprene of marine origin is depressing nitrate radicals by up to 25% and increases the low nighttime levels of OH and HO2 radicals by up to 25% and 30%, respectively. The seawater emissions of isoprene in the area are estimated between 108 and 6×109 molecules cm−2 s−1 with a strong seasonal variability.