Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols in South Florida: From African Dust to Red Tides

Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols in South Florida: From African Dust to Red Tides

This study aims to better understand the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols and their impact on the climate and human health in South Florida. Aerosols are believed to partially counteract the greenhouse warming effects; yet their exact climatic effects are still poorly known. A key reason is the lack of understanding of their chemical composition. A detailed literature review is being conducted on the current knowledge of aerosol composition, with a focus on the organic components. In Miami, organic components including n-alkanes, fatty acids, bacterial acids, and PAHs have been found in aerosols, yet they only comprise a small fraction of the total organic aerosol mass. Latest studies show that other classes of organic components may exist in aerosols, such as organosulfates and oligomeric species. However, whether these species are abundant, stable aerosol components remains uncertain. A fascinating observation is that African dust aerosols get transported to South Florida and neighboring regions frequently. These aerosols have been suggested to have adverse effects on humans. In particular, African dust has been found to provide certain nutrients to initiate red tides in Florida coastal waters, which in turn can emit aerosols that are toxic to humans, particularly those with asthma. However, the long-term health effects need to be fully investigated. This literature review sets the stage for future research in the field and the laboratory to fully understand atmospheric aerosols in South Florida and their potential health consequences.