Surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer and their contribution to atmospheric aerosols around coastal areas of the Malaysian peninsula

Measuring the Surface Tension of Atmospheric Particles and Relevant Mixtures to Better Understand Key Atmospheric Processes

Aerosol and aqueous particles are ubiquitous in Earth's atmosphere and play key roles in geochemical processes such as natural chemical cycles, cloud and fog formation, air pollution, visibility, climate forcing, etc. The surface tension of atmospheric particles can affect their size distribution, condensational growth, evaporation, and exchange of chemicals with the atmosphere, which, in turn, are important in the above-mentioned geochemical processes. However, because measuring this quantity is challenging, its role in atmospheric processes was dismissed for decades. Over the last 15 years, this field of research has seen some tremendous developments and is rapidly evolving. This review presents the state-of-the-art of this subject focusing on the experimental approaches. It also presents a unique inventory of experimental adsorption isotherms for over 130 mixtures of organic compounds in water of relevance for model development and validation. Potential future areas of research seeking to better determine the surface tension of atmospheric particles, better constrain laboratory investigations, or better understand the role of surface tension in various atmospheric processes, are discussed. We hope that this review appeals not only to atmospheric scientists but also to researchers from other fields, who could help identify new approaches and solutions to the current challenges.

Distribution of surface-active substances in the sea surface microlayers off the Malaysian peninsula

The sea surface microlayer (SML), particularly in monsoon-influenced regions, remains largely unexplored. This study aims to determine the concentrations, enrichment, and factors controlling the enrichment processes of surface-active substances (SASs), which include surfactants, dissolved monosaccharides (MCHOs), polysaccharides (PCHOs), total dissolved carbohydrates (TDCHOs), and transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) around the coastal area of Malaysian Peninsula. The SML samples and underlying water (ULW) from a depth of 1 m were collected during the southwest (August and September 2023) and northeast (November 2023) monsoons. Surfactants, TEPs, and dissolved carbohydrates were measured spectrometrically using methylene blue, the Alcian blue assay, and 2,4,6-Tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPTZ), respectively. The results showed that stations influenced by anthropogenic activities were generally enriched with surfactants (Enrichment factor, EF = 1.40 ± 0.91) and carbohydrate species (TDCHOs = 1.38 ± 0.28, MCHOs = 1.54 ± 0.57, PCHOs = 1.85 ± 1.43). However, TEP enrichment was not observed in our study (EF = 0.68 ± 0.24). The SASs in the SML were correlated with their underlying concentrations, implying that transport from underlying water could be a major source of substances in the SML. High carbohydrate concentrations and enrichment were found during the northeast monsoon, implying that rain and runoff water affect concentrations in the SML. Besides, the enrichment of SASs persists at moderate wind speeds and is depleted at high wind speeds.

Effects of Wind Speed on Size-Dependent Morphology and Composition of Sea Spray Aerosols

Variable wind speeds over the ocean can have a significant impact on the formation mechanism and physical-chemical properties of sea spray aerosols (SSA), which in turn influence their climate-relevant impacts. Herein, for the first time, we investigate the effects of wind speed on size-dependent morphology and composition of individual nascent SSA generated from wind-wave interactions of natural seawater within a wind-wave channel as a function of size and their particle-to-particle variability. Filter-based thermal optical analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed in this regard. This study focuses on SSA with sizes within 0.04-1.8 μm generated at two wind speeds: 10 m/s, representing a wind lull scenario over the ocean, and 19 m/s, indicative of the wind speeds encountered in stormy conditions. Filter-based measurements revealed a reduction of the organic mass fraction as the wind speed increases. AFM imaging at 20% relative humidity of individual SSA identified six main morphologies: prism-like, rounded, core-shell, rod, rod inclusion core-shell, and aggregates. At 10 m/s, most SSA were rounded, while at 19 m/s, core-shells became predominant. Based on AFM-IR, rounded SSA at both wind speeds had similar composition, mainly composed of aliphatic and oxygenated species, whereas the shells of core-shells displayed more oxygenated organics at 19 m/s and more aliphatic organics at 10 m/s. Collectively, our observations can be attributed to the disruption of the sea surface microlayer film structure at higher wind speeds. The findings reveal a significant impact of wind speed on morphology and composition of SSA, which should be accounted for accurate assessment of their climate effects.

Influence of Air Mass Source Regions on Signatures of Surface-Active Organic Molecules in Size Resolved Atmospheric Aerosol Particles

The physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles depend on their sources and lifetime in the atmosphere. In coastal regions, sources may include influences from marine, continental, anthropogenic, and natural emissions. In this study, particles in ten diameter-size ranges were collected, and particle number size distributions were measured, at Skidaway Island, GA in May and June 2018. Based on air mass back trajectories and concentrations of major ions in the particles, the air mass source regions were identified as Marine Influenced, Mixed, and Continental Influenced. Organic molecules were extracted from the particles using solid-phase extraction and characterized using tensiometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The presence of surfactants was confirmed in the extracts through the observation of significant surface tension depressions. The organic formulas contained high hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) and low oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratios, similar to surfactants and lipid-like molecules. In the Marine Influenced particles, the fraction of formulas identified as surfactant-like was negatively correlated with minimum surface tensions; as the surfactant fraction increased, the surface tension decreased. Analyses of fatty acid compounds demonstrated that organic compounds extracted from the Marine Influenced particles had the highest carbon numbers (18), compared to those of the Mixed (15) and Continental Influenced (9) particles. This suggests that the fatty acids in the Continental Influenced particles may have been more aged in the atmosphere and undergone fragmentation. This is one of the first studies to measure the chemical and physical properties of surfactants in size-resolved particles from different air mass source regions.

Assessment on the distributions and exchange of anionic surfactants in the coastal environment of Peninsular Malaysia: A review

Terrestrial anionic surfactants (AS) enter the marine environment through coastal region. Despite that, in general limited knowledge is available on the coastal AS transfer pathway. This paper aims to assess the distributions and exchange of AS in the Peninsular Malaysia coastal environments, adjacent to the southern waters of South China Sea and Strait of Malacca. An assessment case study was conducted by a review on the available data from the workgroup that span between the year 2008 and 2019. The findings showed that AS dominated in the sea surface microlayer (SML, 57%) compared to subsurface water (SSW, 43 %). AS were also found to have dominated in fine mode (FM, 71 %) compared to coarse mode (CM, 29 %) atmospheric aerosols. SML AS correspond to the SSW AS (p < 0.01); however, highest enrichment factor (EF) of the SML AS was not consistent with highest SSW AS. Direct AS exchange between SML and FM and CM was not observed. Furthermore, the paper concludes AS mainly located in the SML and FM and could potentially be the main transfer pathway in the coastal environment.

Environmental risks and toxicity of surfactants: overview of analysis, assessment, and remediation techniques

This work comprehensively reviewed the toxicity and risks of various surfactants and their degraded products in the environmental matrices, various analytical procedures, and remediation methods for these surfactants. The findings revealed that the elevated concentration of surfactants and their degraded products disrupt microbial dynamics and their important biogeochemical processes, hinder plant-surviving processes and their ecological niche, and retard the human organic and systemic functionalities. The enormous adverse effects of surfactants on health and the environment necessitate the need to develop, select, and advance the various analytical and assessment techniques to achieve effective identification and quantification of several surfactants in different environmental matrices. Considering the presence of surfactants in trace concentration and environmental matrices, excellent analysis can only be achieved with appropriate extraction, purification, and preconcentration. Despite these pre-treatment procedures, the chromatographic technique is the preferred analytical technique considering its advancement and shortcomings of other techniques. In the literature, the choice or selection of remediation techniques for surfactants depends largely on eco-friendliness, cost-implications, energy requirements, regeneration potential, and generated sludge composition and volume. Hence, the applications of foam fractionation, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, thermophilic aerobic membranes reactors, and advanced adsorbents are impressive in the clean-up of the surfactants in the environment. This article presents a compendium of knowledge on environmental toxicity and risks, analytical techniques, and remediation methods of surfactants as a guide for policymakers and researchers.

Characterization of seawater and aerosol particle surfactants using solid phase extraction and mass spectrometry

Surface-active organic molecules (surfactants) may influence the ability of an aerosol particle to act as a cloud condensation nuclei by reducing its surface tension. One source of organic mass in aerosol particles, which may also contain surfactants, is bubble bursting on the sea surface. In order to directly compare these molecules in the ocean and aerosol particles, we developed a method using multiple solid phase extractions and high resolution mass spectrometry to characterize surface active organic molecules in both. This method has extraction efficiencies greater than 85%, 75%, and 60% for anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactant standards, respectively. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of three ionic classes of surface active organics in atmospheric aerosol particles and estuarine water from Skidaway Island, GA. With this extraction method, organic molecules from both estuarine water and atmospheric aerosol particles significantly reduced surface tension of pure water (surface tension depression of ~ 18 mN/m) and had high ratios of hydrogen to carbon (H/C) and low ratios of oxygen to carbon (O/C), indicative of surfactants. While previous work has observed a larger fraction of anionic surface active organics in seawater and marine aerosol particles, here we show cationic surface active organics may make up a large fraction of the total surface active molecules in estuarine water (43%-47%).

Experimental evidence of plastic particles transfer at the water-air interface through bubble bursting

Plastic debris in the marine environment are the subject of an extensive literature. According to studies dedicated to the determination of plastic litter abundance and to the characterisation of degradation and fragmentation processes, models were used to estimate the global plastic debris abundance and to simulate their transfer and distribution. Despite these efforts, there is still missing plastic in the models used as areas exist where plastic abundance is less than that estimated. In parallel, microplastics presence in the atmosphere and in remote areas was confirmed suggesting long range atmospheric transport. Potentially addressing both these issues, recent literature suggests that microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can be transferred from the marine environment to the atmosphere via the bursting of air bubbles at the sea surface. Nevertheless, to date there is no direct evidence of this transfer. In this study, we evaluate plastic particles transfer as a function of MPs/NPs characteristics and water composition by simulating the bubble bursting phenomenon in a laboratory reactor. Size distribution of transferred particles were recorded, and their plastic nature was confirmed using electron microscopy. Results show that under tested conditions, the transfer is possible but limited to particles smaller than 1 μm. The influence of the presence of proxies of components of the sea surface microlayer in the water was evaluated showing a higher particle transfer rate in the presence of a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and no significant effect of polysaccharides (xanthan gum and dextran). The surface state of the particles can alter their behaviour in the aqueous phase and thus their transfer to the atmosphere. The effect of bubble size was also evaluated showing a higher transfer rate with the smaller bubble size. In addition, experiments performed with grounded polyethylene (PE) samples showed higher transfer for UV-aged PE than for pristine PE.

A preliminary study on pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in fine particles in the Beibu Gulf Region of China

The pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in fine particles (PM_2.5) in spring were studied in the Beibu Gulf Region of China, 68 samples of PM_2.5 were collected at Weizhou Island in Beihai City from March 12 to April 17, 2015. The Anionic Surfactant Substances (ASS) and Cationic Surfactant Substances (CSS) in the samples were analyzed using Byethyl Violet Spectrophotometry and Disulfide Blue Spectrophotometry, respectively. Combined with the data from backward trajectory simulation, the effects of air pollutants from remote transport on the pollution characteristics of surfactant substances in PM_2.5 in the Beibu Gulf Region were analyzed and discussed. The results showed that the daily mean concentrations of ASS and CSS in spring in the Beibu Gulf Region were 165.20 pmol/m³ and 8.05pmol/m³, and the variation ranges were 23.21-452.55 pmol/m³ and 0.65-31.31 pmol/m³, accounting for 1.82‰ ± 1.65‰ and 0.12‰ ± 0.11‰ of the mass concentration of PM_2.5, respectively. These concentrations were lower than those in comparable regions around the world. There was no clear correlation between the concentrations of ASS and CSS in PM_2.5 and the mass concentrations of PM_2.5. Tourism and air transport had a positive contribution on the concentrations of ASS. The concentration of surfactant substances in PM_2.5 was significantly impacted by wind speed and wind direction. Atmospheric temperature, air pressure and precipitation had little effect on the concentrations of surfactant substances. Surfactant substances in PM_2.5 significantly impacted visibility. Results also showed that the main sources of surfactant substances were from the southern China and Southeast Asia.

Surface Tension Measurements of Aqueous Liquid-Air Interfaces Probed with Microscopic Indentation

To elucidate the intricate role that the sea surface microlayer (SML) and sea spray aerosols (SSAs) play in climate, understanding the chemical complexity of the SML and how it affects the physical-chemical properties of the microlayer and SSA are important to investigate. While the surface tension of the SML has been studied previously using conventional experimental tools, accurate measurements must be localized to the thickness of the air-liquid interface of the SML. Here we explore the atomic force microscopy (AFM) capabilities to quantify the surface tension of aqueous solution droplets with (sub)micrometer indentation depths into the interface. Sample droplets of hexanoic acid at molar concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 80 mM and SML from a recent wave flume study were investigated. A constant-radius AFM nanoneedle was used to probe ca. 200 μL droplets with 0.3-1.2 μm indentation depths. As a comparison, the surface tension of bulk samples was also measured using a conventional force tensiometer. The data for the hexanoic acid show an excellent overlap between the AFM and force tensiometer surface tension measurements. For the surface tension measurements of the SML, however, the measured values from the AFM were 2.5 mN/m lower than that from the force tensiometer, which was attributed to the structural and chemical complexity of the SML, differences in the probing depth for each method, and the time scale required for the surface film to restructure as the needle is retracted away from the liquid surface. Overall, the study confirmed the accuracy of the AFM method in quantifying the surface tension of aqueous solutions over a wide range of concentrations for surface-active organic compounds. The methodology can be further used to reveal small, yet important, differences in the surface tension of complex air-liquid interfaces such as liquid systems where the type and concentration of surfactants vary with the distance from the air-liquid interface. For such complex systems, AFM measurements of the surface tension as a function of the probing depth and pulling rate may reveal a sublayer film structure of the liquid interface.

Distribution of Surfactants in the Sea Surface Microlayer and Sub-surface Water in the Melaka River Estuary

This study determines the levels of surfactants at 12 stations located in the Melaka River Estuary. This river estuary is located within a tourism area of Melaka Historical City. The concentrations of anionic and cationic surfactants in the sea surface microlayer (SML) and sub-surface water (SSW) were determined by using two colorimetric methods, methylene blue active substances (MBASs) and disulphine blue active substances (DBASs), respectively. The results showed that cationic surfactants as DBAS (ranging between 0.19 and 0.25 μmol L^-1) dominated the concentrations of surfactants in SML. The enrichment factor (Ef) between MBAS and DBAS in the SML and SSW ranged between 1.0 and 2.0, and 1.0 to 1.4, respectively. There was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between MBAS and DBAS for both SML and SSW. Nevertheless, there were strong correlations (p < 0.05) between both MBAS and DBAS in the SML and SSW. The results showed the potential contribution of degradation processes of organic substances microorganisms in SSW towards the concentrations of surfactants in SML. Compared to previous studies, tourism-related activities may influence the concentrations of surfactants, especially DBAS, in this river estuary.

Surfactants in the sea surface microlayer, subsurface water and fine marine aerosols in different background coastal areas

This study aims to determine the concentrations of surfactants in the surface microlayer (SML), subsurface water (SSW) and fine mode aerosol (diameter size < 1.5 μm) at different coastal stations in Peninsular Malaysia. The concentrations of anionic and cationic surfactants were determined through colorimetric methods as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and disulphine blue active substances (DBAS), respectively. Water-soluble ions, for the determination of fine mode aerosol sources, were determined using ion chromatography (IC) for anions (SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, Cl^- and F^-) and cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺). Principal component analysis (PCA), combined with multiple linear regression (MLR), was used to identify the possible sources of surfactants in fine aerosol. The results showed the concentrations of surfactants as MBAS and DBAS in the SML ranged between 0.23 ± 0.03 and 0.35 ± 0.01 μmol L^-1 and between 0.21 ± 0.02 and 0.29 ± 0.01 μmol L^-1, respectively. The enrichment factors (Efs) ratios between MBAS and DBAS in the SML and SSW ranged between 1.04 ± 0.01 and 1.32 ± 0.04, respectively. The station that is located near to tourism and industrial activities recorded the highest concentrations of surfactants in SML and SSW. The concentrations of surfactants in fine aerosol ranged between 62.29 and 106.57 pmol m^-3. The three possible sources of fine aerosol during the northeast monsoon were aged sea spray/biomass burning (which accounted for 69% of the atmospheric aerosol), nitrate/mineral dust (23%) and sulphate/fresh sea salt (8%). During the southwest monsoon, the three main sources of atmospheric aerosol were biomass burning (71%), secondary inorganic aerosol (23%) and sea spray (6%). This study suggests anthropogenic sources are main contributors to the concentrations of surfactants in SML, SSW and fine aerosols.

Size-Resolved Surface-Active Substances of Atmospheric Aerosol: Reconsideration of the Impact on Cloud Droplet Formation

Our current understanding of the importance of surface-active substances (SAS) on atmospheric aerosol cloud-forming efficiency is limited, as explicit data on the content of size-resolved ambient aerosol SAS, which are responsible for lowering the surface tension (σ) of activating droplets, are not available. We report on the first data comprising seasonal variability of size-segregated SAS concentrations in ambient aerosol particulate matter (PM). To assess the impact of SAS distribution within PM on cloud droplet activation and growth, a concept of surfactant activity was adopted and a parametrization developed; i.e., surfactant activity factor (SAF) was defined, which allowed translation of experimental data for use in cloud parcel modeling. The results show that SAS-induced σ depression during cloud activation may affect droplet number ( N_d) as much as a 2-fold increase in particle number, whereas by considering also the size distribution of particulate SAS, N_d may increase for another 10%. This study underscores the importance of size-resolved SAS perspective on cloud activation, as data typically obtained from aqueous extracts of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ may result in misleading conclusions about droplet growth due to large mass fractions of supermicron particles with SAS deficit and little or no influence on CCN and N_d.

Water-Soluble Organic Composition of the Arctic Sea Surface Microlayer and Association with Ice Nucleation Ability

Organic matter in the sea surface microlayer (SML) may be transferred to the atmosphere as sea spray and hence influence the composition and properties of marine aerosol. Recent work has demonstrated that the SML contains material capable of heterogeneously nucleating ice, but the nature of this material remains largely unknown. Water-soluble organic matter was extracted from SML and underlying seawater from the Arctic and analyzed using a combination of mass spectrometric approaches. High performance liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-IT-MS), and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS (FT-ICR-MS), showed seawater extracts to be compositionally similar across all stations, whereas microlayer extracts had a different and more variable composition. LC-IT-MS demonstrated the enrichment of particular ions in the microlayer. Ice nucleation ability (defined as the median droplet freezing temperature) appeared to be related to the relative abundances of some ions, although the extracts themselves did not retain this property. Molecular formulas were assigned using LC-quadrupole time-of-flight MS (LC-TOF-MS²) and FT-ICR-MS. The ice nucleation tracer ions were associated with elevated biogenic trace gases, and were also observed in atmospheric aerosol collected during the summer, but not early spring suggesting a biogenic source of ice nuclei in the Arctic microlayer.

Spectrophotometric determination of anionic surfactants: optimization by response surface methodology and application to Algiers bay wastewater

A simple analytical method for quantitative determination of an anionic surfactant in aqueous solutions without liquid-liquid extraction is described. The method is based on the formation of a green-colored ion associate between sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) and cationic dye, Brilliant Green (BG) in acidic medium. Spectral changes of the dye by addition of SDBS are studied by visible spectrophotometry at maximum wave length of 627 nm. The interactions and micellar properties of SDBS and cationic dye are also investigated using surface tension method. The pH, the molar ratio ([BG]/[SDBS]), and the shaking time of the solutions are considered as the main parameters which affect the formation of the ion pair. Determination of AS in distilled water gives a significant detection limit up to 3 × 10^-6 M. The response surface methodology (RSM) is applied to study the absorbance. A Box-Behnken is a model designed to the establishment of responses given by parameters with great probability. This model is set up by using the three main parameters at three levels. Analysis of variance shows that only two parameters affect the absorbance of the ion pair. The statistical results obtained are interesting and give us real possibility to reach optimum conditions for the formation of the ion pair. As the proposed method is free from interferences from major constituents of water, it has been successfully applied to the determination of anionic surfactant contents in wastewaters samples collected from Algiers bay.

Extraction and Characterization of Surfactants from Atmospheric Aerosols

Surface-active compounds, or surfactants, present in atmospheric aerosols are expected to play important roles in the formation of liquid water clouds in the Earth's atmosphere, a central process in meteorology, hydrology, and for the climate system. But because specific extraction and characterization of these compounds have been lacking for decades, very little is known on their identity, properties, mode of action and origins, thus preventing the full understanding of cloud formation and its potential links with the Earth's ecosystems.

In this paper we present recently developed methods for 1) the targeted extraction of all the surfactants from atmospheric aerosol samples and for the determination of 2) their absolute concentrations in the aerosol phase and 3) their static surface tension curves in water, including their Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC). These methods have been validated with 9 references surfactants, including anionic, cationic and non-ionic ones. Examples of results are presented for surfactants found in fine aerosol particles (diameter <1 μm) collected at a coastal site in Croatia and suggestions for future improvements and other characterizations than those presented are discussed.

Effects of anthropogenic surfactants on the conversion of marine dissolved organic carbon and microgels

The possible impact of three types of anthropogenic surfactants on the ability of marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to form self-assembled microgels was evaluated. The behavior of existing native microgels was also examined in the presence of surfactants. These results reveal that the release of surfactants even at low concentrations into the aquatic environment could effectively hinder the self-assembly of DOC polymers. The extent of the size reduction had the following order: anionic, cationic, and non-ionic. Furthermore, charged surfactants can disrupt existing native microgels, converting large assemblies into smaller particles. One possible mechanisms is that surfactants are able to enhance the stability of DOC polymers and disrupt aggregates due to their surface charges and protein-denaturing activities. These findings suggest that the ecological system is altered by anthropogenic surfactants, and provide useful information for ecological assessments of different types of surfactants and raise warnings about surfactant applications.

Monsoonal variations in atmospheric surfactants at different coastal areas of the Malaysian Peninsula

This study determined the effect of monsoonal changes on the composition of atmospheric surfactants in coastal areas. The composition of anions (SO4(2-), NO3(-), Cl(-), F(-)) and the major elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na) in aerosols were used to determine the possible sources of surfactants. Surfactant compositions were determined using a colorimetric method as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The anion and major element compositions of the aerosol samples were determined by ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results indicated that the concentrations of surfactant in aerosols were dominated by MBAS (34-326pmolm(-3)). Monsoonal changes were found to significantly affect the concentration of surfactants. Using principal component analysis-multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), major possible sources for surfactants in the aerosols were motor vehicle emissions, secondary aerosol and the combustion of biomass along with marine aerosol.

Anionic, Cationic, and Nonionic Surfactants in Atmospheric Aerosols from the Baltic Coast at Askö, Sweden: Implications for Cloud Droplet Activation

Recent analyses of atmospheric aerosols from different regions have demonstrated the ubiquitous presence of strong surfactants and evidenced surface tension values, σ, below 40 mN m(-1), suspected to enhance the cloud-forming potential of these aerosols. In this work, this approach was further improved and combined with absolute concentration measurements of aerosol surfactants by colorimetric titration. This analysis was applied to PM2.5 aerosols collected at the Baltic station of Askö, Sweden, from July to October 2010. Strong surfactants were found in all the sampled aerosols, with σ = (32-40) ± 1 mN m(-1) and concentrations of at least 27 ± 6 mM or 104 ± 21 pmol m(-3). The absolute surface tension curves and critical micelle concentrations (CMC) determined for these aerosol surfactants show that (1) surfactants are concentrated enough in atmospheric particles to strongly depress the surface tension until activation, and (2) the surface tension does not follow the Szyszkowski equation during activation but is nearly constant and minimal, which provides new insights on cloud droplet activation. In addition, both the CMCs determined and the correlation (R(2) ∼ 0.7) between aerosol surfactant concentrations and chlorophyll-a seawater concentrations suggest a marine and biological origin for these compounds.

Analysis of Organic Anionic Surfactants in Fine and Coarse Fractions of Freshly Emitted Sea Spray Aerosol

The inclusion of organic compounds in freshly emitted sea spray aerosol (SSA) has been shown to be size-dependent, with an increasing organic fraction in smaller particles. Here we have used electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry in negative ion mode to identify organic compounds in nascent sea spray collected throughout a 25 day mesocosm experiment. Over 280 organic compounds from ten major homologous series were tentatively identified, including saturated (C8-C24) and unsaturated (C12-C22) fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives (including saturated oxo-fatty acids (C5-C18) and saturated hydroxy-fatty acids (C5-C18), organosulfates (C2-C7, C12-C17) and sulfonates (C16-C22). During the mesocosm, the distributions of molecules within some homologous series responded to variations among the levels of phytoplankton and bacteria in the seawater. The average molecular weight and carbon preference index of saturated fatty acids significantly decreased within fine SSA during the progression of the mesocosm, which was not observed in coarse SSA, sea-surface microlayer or in fresh seawater. This study helps to define the molecular composition of nascent SSA and biological processes in the ocean relate to SSA composition.

Surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer and sub-surface water at estuarine locations: Their concentration, distribution, enrichment, and relation to physicochemical characteristics

Samples of sea-surface microlayer (SML) and sub-surface water (SSW) were collected from two areas-Kaohsiung City (Taiwan) and the southwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia to study the influence of SML on enrichment and distribution and to compare SML with the SSW. Anionic surfactants (MBAS) predominated in this study and were significantly higher in Kaohsiung than in Malaysia. Industrial areas in Kaohsiung were enriched with high loads of anthropogenic sources, accounted for higher surfactant amounts, and pose higher environmental disadvantages than in Malaysia, where pollutants were associated with agricultural activities. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC), MBAS, and cationic surfactant (DBAS) concentrations in the SML correlated to the SSW, reflecting exchanges between the SML and SSW in Kaohsiung. The relationships between surfactants and the physiochemical parameters indicated that DOC and saltwater dilution might affect the distributions of MBAS and DBAS in Kaohsiung. In Malaysia, DOC might be the important factor controlling DBAS.

Surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater around lake ecosystem

This study was conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater in the vicinity of Lake Chini, Malaysia. Samples of atmospheric aerosol and rainwater were collected between March and September 2011 using a high volume air sampler (HVAS) and glass bottles equipped with funnel. Colorimetric analysis was undertaken to determine the concentration of anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The water-soluble ionic compositions were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for cations (Na, K, Mg and Ca) and ion chromatography equipped with a conductivity detector for anions (F(-), Cl(-), NO3(-), and SO4(2-)) and the Nessler Method was used to obtain the NH4(+) concentrations. The source apportionment of MBAS and DBAS in atmospheric aerosols was identified using a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The results revealed that the concentrations of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater were dominated by anionic surfactants as MBAS. The concentration of surfactants as MBAS and DBAS was dominated in fine mode compared to coarse mode aerosols. Using PCA/MLR analysis, two major sources of atmospheric surfactants to Lake Chini were identified as soil dust (75 to 93%) and biomass burning (2 to 22%).

Surfactant induced complex formation and their effects on the interfacial properties of seawater

The effect of a cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), on the interfacial properties of seawater has been studied by dynamic and equilibrium surface tension and by dilational rheology essays. Important modifications of the surface tension and dilational rheology response have been observed already at the very low CTAB concentrations, where the effects due to the high ionic strength are negligible. The comparison with the effects of CTAB in different seawater models, or in natural seawater fractions, points out the establishment of strong interactions between the surfactant molecules and the lipophilic fraction of organic material dispersed/dissolved in seawater, affecting the interfacial activity of the molecules. Considering the biochemical richness of seawater, these results can be explained assuming interaction mechanisms and adsorption schemes similar to those speculated for protein and other macromolecules in the presence of surfactants, which in fact show similar features. Thus already at the low concentrations the surfactant molecules form highly surface-active complexes with part of the organic fraction of seawater. At the larger surfactant concentrations these complexes compete for adsorption with an excess of free CTAB molecules which, according to the thermodynamic conditions, are most favoured to occupy the liquid interface. The results of this study underline the important role of the sea organic content in enhancing the surface-activity of surfactants, which is relevant for a deeper understand of the direct and indirect effects of these types of pollutants on the physico-chemical environment in the sea coastal areas and develop mitigation strategies.

Surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of the Peninsular Malaysia. Surfactants in samples taken from the SML and atmospheric aerosol were determined using a colorimetric method, as either methylene blue active substances (MBAS) or disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). Principal component analysis with multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), using the anion and major element composition of the aerosol samples, was used to determine possible sources of surfactants in atmospheric aerosol. The results showed that the concentrations of surfactants in the SML and atmospheric aerosol were dominated by anionic surfactants and that surfactants in aerosol were not directly correlated (p>0.05) with surfactants in the SML. Further PCA-MLR from anion and major element concentrations showed that combustion of fossil fuel and sea spray were the major contributors to surfactants in aerosol in the study area.

Source apportionment of surfactants in marine aerosols at different locations along the Malacca Straits

This study aims to determine the source apportionment of surfactants in marine aerosols at two selected stations along the Malacca Straits. The aerosol samples were collected using a high volume sampler equipped with an impactor to separate coarse- and fine-mode aerosols. The concentrations of surfactants, as methylene blue active substance and disulphine blue active substance, were analysed using colorimetric method. Ion chromatography was employed to determine the ionic compositions. Principal component analysis combined with multiple linear regression was used to identify and quantify the sources of atmospheric surfactants. The results showed that the surfactants in tropical coastal environments are actively generated from natural and anthropogenic origins. Sea spray (generated from sea-surface microlayers) was found to be a major contributor to surfactants in both aerosol sizes. Meanwhile, the anthropogenic sources (motor vehicles/biomass burning) were predominant contributors to atmospheric surfactants in fine-mode aerosols.

Distribution of surfactants along the estuarine area of Selangor River, Malaysia

This study aims to determine the levels of methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and ethyl violet active substances (EVAS) as anionic surfactants and of disulphine blue active substances (DBAS) as cationic surfactants in the surface microlayer (SML) around an estuarine area using colorimetric methods. The results show that the concentrations of surfactants around the estuarine area were dominated by anionic surfactants (MBAS and EVAS) with average concentrations of 0.39 and 0.51 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. There were significant between-station differences in surfactant concentrations (p<0.05) with higher concentrations found at the stations near the sea. The concentration of surfactants was higher during the rainy season than the dry season due to the influence of runoff water. Further investigation using total organic carbon (TOC) and total organic nitrogen (TON) shows that there is a significant correlation (p<0.05) between both anionic and cationic surfactants and the TON concentration.

Surfactants in runoff water at different locations in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

A study has been conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in runoff water in the semi-urban area of Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Runoff samples were collected from five different locations with contrasting functional activities and the colorimetric method was used to analyze the concentrations of surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) for anionic surfactants and as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS) for cationic surfactants. The results showed that the highest surfactant concentrations of MBAS and DBAS in runoff water were recorded in the samples collected at the residential area, with the concentrations of 3.192 ± 0.727 and 0.170 ± 0.028 μmol/L, respectively. Anionic surfactants as MBAS were found to dominate the concentration of surfactants in both runoff and rainwater. The concentrations of both anionic and cationic surfactants in runoff water were recorded as being higher than in rainwater.

Occurrence of surface active agents in the environment

Due to the specific structure of surfactants molecules they are applied in different areas of human activity (industry, household). After using and discharging from wastewater treatment plants as effluent stream, surface active agents (SAAs) are emitted to various elements of the environment (atmosphere, waters, and solid phases), where they can undergo numerous physic-chemical processes (e.g., sorption, degradation) and freely migrate. Additionally, SAAs present in the environment can be accumulated in living organisms (bioaccumulation), what can have a negative effect on biotic elements of ecosystems (e.g., toxicity, disturbance of endocrine equilibrium). They also cause increaseing solubility of organic pollutants in aqueous phase, their migration, and accumulation in different environmental compartments. Moreover, surfactants found in aerosols can affect formation and development of clouds, which is associated with cooling effect in the atmosphere and climate changes. The environmental fate of SAAs is still unknown and recognition of this problem will contribute to protection of living organisms as well as preservation of quality and balance of various ecosystems. This work contains basic information about surfactants and overview of pollution of different ecosystems caused by them (their classification and properties, areas of use, their presence, and behavior in the environment).

Composition and source apportionment of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols of urban and semi-urban areas in Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the composition and source apportionment of surfactant in atmospheric aerosols around urban and semi-urban areas in Malaysia based on ionic compositions. Colorimetric analysis was undertaken to determine the concentrations of anionic surfactants as Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as Disulphine Blue Active Substances (DBAS) using a UV spectrophotometer. Ionic compositions were determined using ion chromatography for cations (Na(+), NH4(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)) and anions (F(-), Cl(-), NO3(-), SO4(2-)). Principle component analysis (PCA) combined with multiple linear regression (MLR) were used to identify the source apportionment of MBAS and DBAS. Results indicated that the concentrations of surfactants at both sampling sites were dominated by MBAS rather than DBAS especially in fine mode aerosols during the southwest monsoon. Three main sources of surfactants were identified from PCA-MLR analysis for MBAS in fine mode samples particularly in Kuala Lumpur, dominated by motor vehicles, followed by soil/road dust and sea spray. Besides, for MBAS in coarse mode, biomass burning/sea spray were the dominant source followed by motor vehicles/road dust and building material.

Swimming of a model ciliate near an air-liquid interface

In this work, the role of the hydrodynamic forces on a swimming microorganism near an air-liquid interface is studied. The lubrication theory is utilized to analyze hydrodynamic effects within the narrow gap between a flat interface and a small swimmer. By using an archetypal low-Reynolds-number swimming model called "squirmer," we find that the magnitude of the vertical swimming velocity is on the order of O(εlnε), where ε is the ratio of the gap width to the swimmer's body size. The reduced swimming velocity near an interface can explain experimental observations of the aggregation of microorganisms near a liquid interface.

Composition and distribution of surfactants around Lake Chini, Malaysia

This study aims to determine the composition of surfactants in the lake surface microlayer, rainwater, and atmospheric aerosols in the area surrounding Lake Chini, Pahang. Surfactants in the lake surface microlayer were taken from seven different stations around the lake, while samples of rainwater were taken from five different sampling stations. The samples of atmospheric aerosols were collected from the Lake Chini Research Centre which is in close proximity to the lake. The colorimetric analysis method was used to determine the composition and concentration of anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The concentration of anionic surfactants, as MBAS, in the surface microlayer ranged between 0.08 to 0.23 μmol L(-1), while the range of concentration of cationic surfactants as DBAS ranged from 0.09 to 0.11 μmol L(-1). The concentration of MBAS was higher in rainwater when compared to surfactants in the lake surface microlayer. The high concentration of surfactants in the fine mode of atmospheric aerosols suggests that natural and anthropogenic sources of surfactants contribute to the atmospheric surfactants.