Their largest sink in the atmosphere is the oxidation by rapid reaction with OH . Benzene and toluene have been measured in the atmosphere of the remote polar and temperate oceans , suggesting that they are common and pervasive organic species in the atmosphere. It is unclear whether the oceans act as a source or a sink of benzene and toluene, especially in natural environments. If occurring, sea-to-air fluxes (ocean source) of benzene and toluene to the remote marine atmosphere would be particularly important owing to their high SOA formation potential and rapid reaction rate with OH. Guo et al. found traces of aromatic (i.e. benzene and toluene) oxidation products in marine organic aerosol in the northwest Pacific.