On the biogenic origin of dimethylsulfide: Relation between chlorophyll, ATP, organismic DMSP, phytoplankton species, and DMS distribution in Atlantic surface water and atmosphere

Journal Article · Mon Nov 19 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JD095iD12p20607· OSTI ID:5325261

Buergermeister, S; Zimmermann, R L; Georgii, H W ^[1]; Bingemer, H G ^[2]; Kirst, G O; Janssen, M ^[3]; Ernst, W ^[4]

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1. J.W. Goethe-Univ., Frankfurt (West Germany)
2. Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie, Mainz (West Germany)
3. Univ. Bremen (West Germany)
4. Alfred-Wegener-Inst. fuer Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven (West Germany)

During a cruise over the Atlantic from 40{degree}S to 50{degree}N in March-April 1987 the concentrations of dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the ocean and atmosphere were measured as well as the distribution of its precursor, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and of several biological parameters such as chlorophyllm, phytoplankton species, and adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP) in the surface water. The DMS concentration varied in the range 0.2-2 nmol DMS{sup {minus}1} (surface water) and 0.05-3 nmol DMS m{sup {minus}3} (atmosphere) in the region of the remote tropical and subtropical Atlantic and increased to 2-10 nmol DMS{sup {minus}1} (surface water) and 1-8 nmol DMS m{sup {minus}3} (atmosphere) north of 40{degree}N and in the English Channel. Based on these results the mean flux of DMS from the Atlantic to the atmosphere is estimated to be 4-4.65 nmol DMS m{sup {minus}2} min{sup {minus}1}. A moderate diurnal variation of atmospheric DMS was found with a minimum during daytime. The DMS concentration in seawater correlated well with the concentration of DMSP and showed a similar trend to ATP, chlorophyll, and some phytoplankton species.

• OSTI ID: 5325261
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:D12; ISSN JGREA; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110
540310* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
AIR
AIR POLLUTION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATP
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
CHLOROPHYLL
CORRELATIONS
DAILY VARIATIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MASS TRANSFER
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYTOCHROMES
PHYTOPLANKTON
PIGMENTS
PLANKTON
POLLUTION
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
SAMPLING
SEAS
SEAWATER
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
SYNTHESIS
VARIATIONS
WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY