Shipborne dissolved concentrations of benzene and toluene in surface seawater and depth profiles and air sea fluxes in Canadian Arctic/Baffin Bay area, 2017

Dissolved benzene and toluene were measured in surface seawater and depth profiles of the Canadian Arctic. The aim was twofold; first we wanted to establish a baseline of the dissolved concentrations before anthropogenic activity will increase in the Arctic as a consequence of climate change and decrease in sea ice extend, second we wanted to use these measured concentrations to assess whether the surface ocean absorbs or emits these gases (air-sea fluxes). The air sea fluxes are later used to assess their effect on secondary organic aerosol formation during Arctic summer. To our knowledge, these represent the first measurements of benzene and toluene in seawater in the Canadian Arctic and in sea ice covered waters.