Trasporto di inquinanti dal mare all’atmosfera

The bubble-breaking, droplet-ejecting mechanism is the main pathway of the mass-transport effect at water to air interface (primarily at sea-air interface, but also lake, river…). Surface-active organic material (SAOM) tends to concentrate at the water surface. The bubbles, produced primarily by breaking waves, not only carry SAOM to the surface but upon breaking eject it into the air. Viruses and bacteria, natural and man made organic materials, salt and organic compounds are absorbed onto the surface of the bubbles, rising through water by flotation process, and ejected into the atmosphere. The generated aerosols give a great contribution to atmospheric pollution.