FY 1997

Dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (1982 to1996): Evidence of a climate feedback?

Bates, T.S., and P.K. Quinn

Geophys. Res. Lett., 24(8), 861–864 (1997)

Oceanic dimethylsulfide (DMS) is the major natural source of sulfur to the atmosphere. The equatorial Pacific Ocean is a region of relatively high DMS emissions which persist throughout the year. Measurements from 11 cruises between 1982 and 1996 show that the mean surface seawater DMS concentration in this region (15°N to 15°S) is relatively constant both seasonally and interannually (2.7 ± 0.7 nM). The large interannual variations in oceanic and atmospheric properties associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events appear to have little effect on the concentration of DMS in surface ocean waters.