Hydrogen peroxide measurements in the marine atmosphere

Hydrogen peroxide, one of the key compounds in multiphase atmospheric chemistry, was measured on an Atlantic cruise (ANT VII/1) of the German research vessel Polarstern from 15 September to 9 October 1988, in rain and ambient air by a chemiluminescence technique. For gas phase H₂O₂ cryogenic sampling was employed. The presented results show an increase of gas-phase mixing ratios of about 45 pptv per degree latitude between 50° N and 0°, and a maximum of 3.5 ppbv around the equator. Generally higher mixing ratios were observed in the Southern Hemisphere, with a clear diurnal variation. The H₂O₂ mixing ratio is correlated to the UV radiation intensity and to the temperature difference between air and ocean surface water.