Iodic acid, sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid collected during the Arctic Ocean 2018 expedition

Abstract

Measurements of iodic acid, sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid concentration in the gas phase obtained with a nitrate chemical ionization mass spectrometer (we used an APi-TOF mass spectrometer produced by Tofwerk AG coupled with a Chemical ionization inlet A70 produced by Airmodus). These three species are of fundamental importance in the atmosphere because they participate in both new particle formation and growth affecting the Earth radiative balance and cloud properties. Iodic acid is mainly produced from the oxidation of the iodine molecule whereas both sulfuric and methanesulfonic acid are produced from the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide. Measurements were performed on the 4th deck of icebreaker Oden during August and September 2018 along the track of the expedition. Concentrations are reported as molecules per cubic centimeter in ten minutes averages.