Decreased marine dimethyl sulfide production under elevated CO2 levels in mesocosm and in vitro studies

Avgoustidi, Valia, Nightingale, Philip D., Joint, Ian, Steinke, Michael, Turner, Suzanne M., Hopkins, Frances E. and Liss, Peter S. (2012) Decreased marine dimethyl sulfide production under elevated CO2 levels in mesocosm and in vitro studies. Environmental Chemistry, 9 (4). pp. 399-404. ISSN 1448-2517

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Abstract

The oceans have absorbed approximately half of the CO2 produced by human activities and it is inevitable that surface seawaters will become increasingly acidified. The effect of lower pH on marine organisms and ocean–atmosphere exchanges is largely unknown but organisms with CaCO3 structural components are likely to be particularly affected. Because calcifying phytoplankton are significant producers of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), it is vital to understand how lower seawater pH may affect DMS production and emission to the atmosphere. Here we show, by mesocosm (Raunefjorden, Norway, April–May 2003) and in vitro studies, that the net production of DMS and its cellular precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is approximately halved in microbial communities subjected to doubled CO2 levels. Our findings provide evidence that the amount of DMS entering the atmosphere could decrease in the future. Because atmospheric oxidation of DMS can lead to climate cooling by increasing cloud albedo, a consequence of reduced DMS emissions from a lower pH ocean would be an enhancement in global warming.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/life_below_water
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Users 2731 not found.
Date Deposited:	19 Nov 2012 16:03
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2022 13:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/40121
DOI:	10.1071/EN11125

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