Changes in global DMS production driven by increased CO2 levels and its impact on radiative forcing

Abstract Our study highlights the importance of understanding the future changes in dimethyl-sulfide (DMS), the largest natural sulfur source, in the context of ocean acidification driven by elevated CO2 levels. We found a strong negative correlation (R 2 = 0.89) between the partial pressure of carb...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
Main Authors: Junri Zhao, Yan Zhang, Shujun Bie, Kelsey R. Bilsback, Jeffrey R. Pierce, Ying Chen
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024
Subjects:
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Meteorology. Climatology
QC851-999
Ocean acidification
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-024-00563-y
https://doaj.org/article/983d67c4bdd7450ea625d15e730bfdce
Description
Summary:Abstract Our study highlights the importance of understanding the future changes in dimethyl-sulfide (DMS), the largest natural sulfur source, in the context of ocean acidification driven by elevated CO2 levels. We found a strong negative correlation (R 2 = 0.89) between the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and sea-surface DMS concentrations based on global observational datasets, not adequately captured by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) Earth System Models (ESMs). Using this relationship, we refined projections of future sea-surface DMS concentrations in CMIP6 ESMs. Our study reveals a decrease in global sea-surface DMS concentrations and the associated aerosol radiative forcing compared to ESMs’ results. These reductions represent ~9.5% and 11.1% of the radiative forcings resulting from aerosol radiation and cloud interactions in 2100 reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report. Thus, future climate projections should account for the climate implications of changes in DMS production due to ocean acidification.

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