Marine environments are major sources of dimethyl sulfide, which impact climate through atmospheric processes. Despite this, little is known about other sulfuric compounds emitted from the seas. In a recent study at the Baltic Sea on Utö island, we found elevated methanethiol levels. Phytoplankton and macroalgae appear to be sources. Our project aims to develop quantification of methanethiol emissions and to find out the emission sources. We'll conduct in-depth studies combining marine biodiversity and seasonal methanethiol variations on Utö island. Additionally, we'll re-analyze existing global ambient air VOC-data for methanethiol and conduct a campaign in the Cape Verde marine observatory at the southern part of North Atlantic Ocean to assess the global impacts of the findings. Understanding these marine sulfur emissions is crucial for evaluating their climate impacts and feedback loops, and how they relate to the reduced shipping emissions of sulfuric compounds.

2024

2028