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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