Sulfur compounds in the atmosphere are known to contribute to acid rain. More recently, the chemical sulfur cycle has been suggested to influence the reflectivity of the Earth and, hence, the global climate. A primary step in this mechanism is the production of dimethylsulfide (DMS) by marine organisms. The DMS enters the atmosphere and eventually produces particles that may promote cloud formation. The details of this process are not well understood. A region where this mechanism is thought to be particularly important is the northern extremes of the Pacific Ocean. This project initiates an investigation into the role of biologically produced sulfur in the Gulf of Alaska. Methodologies for the measurement of non-sea salt sulfate and methanesulfonic acid in marine aerosols, as well as DMS in air and seawater, are to be developed. The long-term objectives are to quantify the temporal and spatial distribution and flux of DMS in the Gulf of Alaska and to determine reaction pathways for DMS.
