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Dimethylsulfide (DMS) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (1982 to 1996): Evidence of a climate feedback?
Author(s) -
Bates Timothy S.,
Quinn Patricia K.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl00784
Subject(s) - oceanography , atmosphere (unit) , pacific ocean , seawater , environmental science , el niño southern oscillation , climatology , pacific decadal oscillation , sea surface temperature , ocean heat content , atmospheric sciences , geology , meteorology , geography
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 that 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.