Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the marine environment

The atmosphere contains VOCs which are produced by
man-made and biological sources. This production,
especially in the marine environment, constitutes an
important source of gases into the atmosphere. This
research focuses on how external factors such as
meteorology, physico-chemistry and biology drive the
production and release of VOCs in the marine
environment, and how individual sources contribute to
the total amount of VOCs measured. Multivariate
analysis demonstrated that physico-chemical and
meteorological factors such as wind speed, water
temperature can influence the detection of VOCs in
surface waters as well their productions during
seasons. While statitistical analysis with signatures
from the three potential sources highlighted the
importance of the microalgae signature in spring
while macroalgae and sediments dominated at other
times. Short term variability in concentrations and
fluxes was due to such factors such as tidal state,
wind speed and seawater temperature.Concentrations of
VOCs are governed by external factors effecting long
time scale and factors having an effect on a daily base.