Linking the oceans, atmosphere and climate Frances Hopkins, January 21, 2013
One of the objectives of this project is to assess the impact ocean acidification may have on climate. Now, this may seem like a rather strange aim, as it probably seems hard to imagine how changes to the chemistry of the seawater could do this. But in fact, the oceans, atmosphere and climate are intimately linked ….
The Plymouth team a few days ago near Elephant Island – the molecule Frances and John are thinking about is DiMethyl Sulphide( or DMS) which as Frances explains may prove important in climate change. @ Jeremy Young
The oceans release vast quantities of a cocktail of trace gases, producing the familiar“ smell of the sea” that conjures up memories of childhood seaside holidays. It’ s the plant-life that does the work; both phytoplankton – the microscopic algae, and seaweed – or macroalgae, produce vast quantities of sulphur and halogen( iodine, bromine)-containing gases. At the Plymouth Marine Lab., where I work, we are interested in understanding the source and fate of these gases in the surface oceans, and ultimately, the amount of these gases escaping from the ocean to the atmosphere. And why do we need to know this? Because once they reach the atmosphere, these gases are rapidly transformed into other substances that can influence atmospheric chemistry and climate.
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