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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