Dimethylsulfide, climate and coral reef ecosystems
- Publication Type:
- Conference Proceeding
- Citation:
- Proceedings of the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, 2012
- Issue Date:
- 2012
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Dimethylsulfide (DMS) is the major biogenic source of atmospheric sulfur and is mainly derived from dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) produced by oceanic phytoplankton, marine algae and endosymbiont zooxanthellae in reef-building corals. Although coral reefs occupy <1% of the global oceans, the potential source strength of DMS from these areas was found to be significant in comparison to other oceanic areas. In this study, healthy nubbins of Acropora valida and Acropora pulchra collected at Heron Island were examined to assess the source strength of DMS from these common coral species. Total DMS (free DMS and DMSPderived DMS) measured in these corals was on average 3.6 μmol cm-2 surface area. Sediment from the coral reef flat was found to release ~1000 times less DMS than the Acropora corals when compared by weight. Megatonnes of DMS are released from the oceans to the atmosphere annually, where it is oxidised to contribute to new nanoparticles that can lead to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). These affect cloud microphysical properties and consequently the Earth’s radiation budget and climate. The results suggest emissions of DMS from coral reefs are significant and may affect regional climate. Notably strong DMS plumes of up to 13 nmol m-3 of air were detected above the coral reef flat during low tide when it was exposed at the end of the day under calm conditions. A seasonal comparison of atmospheric DMS concentrations determined at Heron Island with a temperate marine location showed the reef to be a greater source of DMS.
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