Chemical Storyline O3

• Seaside smell - volatile gas dimethyl sulfide (DMS) produced from compound called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) that many microscopic marine algae contain.
• When algae die, certain ocean bacteria convery DMSP into DMS which is released in atmosphere

DMS molecules thought to be one of main sources of cloud condensation nuclei - small particles in the atmosphere that bind water molecules together + encorage formation of clouds

• Clouds can reflect solar rad back into space > may play important role in climate regulation

2007 - reported certain genes had been identifyed that appear to affect how ocean bacteria process DMSP molecules.

Appears 1 gene modifys DMSP molecule so it breaks down into DMS…