A marine source of methyl nitrate

Abstract

Methyl nitrate (CH3ONO2) is known to be an important source of reactive nitrogen in the remote marine atmosphere, and it has been speculated that its atmospheric distribution might be explained in part by an ocean source. Measurements made in the N. Atlantic show that dissolved CH3ONO2 is present at depths up to 600-800 m. Maximum concentrations are typically found in the upper water column, indicative of an in situ source. Although we show that CH3ONO2 can be produced photochemically in seawater in the presence of nitrite, and that this reaction may account for some production in the uppermost waters of the ocean, the maxima below this zone indicate that an additional production mechanism exists.