The array of analytical kit used by Frances and John for their studies on DMS and DMSP @ Jeremy Young
What’ s more, understanding how the flux of these gases may change in the future, as a result of ocean acidification or indeed any other global environmental change, may help modellers to better predict Earth’ s future climate.
On this cruise my colleague John and I are interested in a gas called dimethyl sulphide, or more catchily, DMS. DMS is an important contributor to a suite of substances that flux from the ocean to the atmosphere, and influence the formation of clouds: essentially, natural cloud-seeding. Clouds are important climate-regulators – some reflect the Sun’ s energy, whilst others trap warmth close to the Earth’ s surface. Therefore, understanding the controls on cloud formation over the oceans helps us to better understand our climate.
DMS starts as a substance called dimethylsulphoniopropionate. We’ ll just call it DMSP. DMSP is important stuff from a phytoplankton perspective and most species produce it. It’ s a useful and multifunctional substance in the cell. It helps to regulate cellular salinity, protect against freezing, and it’ s also thought to act as an effective antioxidant, mopping up radicals which can cause damage to the cell. A bit like us being told to eat foods rich in antioxidants to help avoid cancer. So we are interested in understanding more about when and why phytoplankton might alter the amount of DMSP they produce. For example, does ocean acidification induce stress that may cause the phytoplankton to increase their
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