Mechanistic studies
of dimethylsulfide oxidation products using an observationally constrained model
Intercomparison of
dimethylsulfide oxidation mechanisms for the marine boundary layer: Gaseous and particulate sulfur constituents
Pristine ocean areas lacking human produced aerosols are difficult to find, but in those areas algae
produce dimethylsulfide that eventually becomes the CCNs of sulfuric acid or methane sulfonic acid.
Less CO2 uptake by the ocean and lower production of the cooling
agent dimethylsulfide would both work in the same direction, reducing the ocean's capacity to mitigate global warming.
When marine microorganisms break down DMSP, they release a climate - cooling gas
called dimethylsulfide (DMS), which also gives the seaside its characteristic smell.
For instance, one gas known
as dimethylsulfide ends up causing clouds to reflect more sunlight, which cools the oceans» surface, while other gases produced by phytoplankton can... affect other aspects of atmospheric chemistry.»
However, they could also coax phytoplankton into producing
more dimethylsulfide (DMS), a gas that is known to promote cloud formation, thus helping cool the atmosphere and countering some of effects of global warming.
Another feedback could result from the fact that Emiliania is one of the dominant producers
of dimethylsulfide, a volatile gas which is thought to serve as cooling agent in the climate system.
The other forms a liquid aerosol,
dimethylsulfide, or DMS.