Atmospheric methyl iodide: High correlation with surface seawater temperature and its implications on the sea-to-air flux

Intensive measurements of atmospheric methyl iodide taken at high, middle, and low latitudes over a period of 3 years have provided evidence for its photochemical production in seawater and given new information that sea-to-air transport of CH3I is mainly controlled by surface seawater temperature (SST). These findings suggest a highly localized production and distribution of CH3I in the surface microlayer. As a result, the oceanic emission of CH,I is likely to be larger than previous estimates based on the classical two-layer model. Owing to the SST dependence of atmospheric CH3I concentration, its impact on tropospheric or stratospheric ozone depletion would be increased by El Nine or future global warming.