Measurement of DMS, DMSO, and DMSP in natural waters by automated sequential chemical analysis

Jarnikova, Tereza, Asher, Elizabeth C., Dacey, John W. H. and Tortell, Philippe D. (2015) Measurement of DMS, DMSO, and DMSP in natural waters by automated sequential chemical analysis. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. ISSN 1541-5856

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Abstract

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) are key components of the marine sulfur cycle. The concentrations of these compounds exhibit large spatial and temporal variability in the surface ocean, creating a need for high resolution sampling. Existing automated underway measurement systems for DMS do not measure DMSP or DMSO, so their spatial variability is less well-characterized. We present an accurate and robust method for the automated, high throughput sampling and measurement of DMS, DMSO, and DMSP (DMS/O/P) in a single water sample. The method is based on a three-step sequence of purge and trap gas chromatography, where DMS analysis is followed by the enzymatic reduction of DMSO to DMS and the alkaline hydrolysis of DMSP to DMS. The system, which we call the Organic Sulfur Sequential Chemical Analysis Robot (OSSCAR), includes automated calibrations and blank determinations. OSSCAR can be used as a front-end system for any sulfur detector and is suited for continuous underway analysis or the measurement of discrete water samples. The system described here has a minimum detection limit of ∼ 0.1 nM of DMS/O/P in a 2.5 mL sample. Assessment of liquid standards and intercalibration against independent analytical systems demonstrate good precision and accuracy of our method. Shipboard analysis of surface water DMS/O/P concentrations on a transect from Ocean Station Papa (50°N, 145°W) to Vancouver Island demonstrates the utility of OSSCAR for mapping variability in reduced sulfur compounds across dynamic and contrasting oceanographic conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	We would like to thank the captain and crew of the John P. Tully as well as chief scientist Marie Robert for logistical support. We would also like to thank the following IOS scientists and marine technicians for assistance with data collection and processing; Michael Arychuk for his help with inter-calibrating DMS standards, Angelica Pe~ na and Nina Nemchek for HPLC pigment data, and Chelsea Stanley and Stephane Gauthier for processing acoustics data.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 Mar 2026 09:30
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2026 09:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102391
DOI:	10.1002/lom3.10039

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