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Simulating halocarbon concentrations in ocean and atmosphere from industrial water treatment
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This study uses computational modeling to simulate the production and distribution of halocarbons released during the degradation of plastic materials in the ocean and atmosphere. Halocarbons are potent greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, and plastics have been identified as an underappreciated source. The simulations help quantify the potential climate and atmospheric chemistry implications of plastic-derived halocarbon emissions at a global scale.
Large volumes of seawater are used in different industrial sectors such as power plants and ships. Chemical disinfection of this seawater prevents bio-fouling, but also produces halogenated disinfection by-products (DBPs). One major DBP is bromoform whose anthropogenic input to the environment is highly uncertain. Halocarbons such as bromoform impact the oxidation of trace gases and ozone chemistry in the atmosphere. We quantify the contribution of DBPs from industrial waste water to oceanic halocarbon concentrations and their impact on atmospheric chemistry. Based on industrial water discharge and DBP estimates, we simulate oceanic pathways of halocarbons along NEMO-ORCA12 driven Lagrangian trajectories. Anthropogenic halocarbon concentration are strongly enhanced along the coasts in Southeast Asia, but also allow for transport into the open ocean. We highlight bromoform showing that its anthropogenic sources can explain much of observed shelf water concentrations. We show how anthropogenic marine bromine impacts tropospheric and stratospheric ozone chemistry compared to natural background emissions.
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