DMS Model; Introduction

Dimethylsulphide (DMS) is an important sulphur-containing trace gas of marine biogenic origin. The revised conceptual model of a marine pelagic food web gives a central role to planktonic bacteria. Recent experiments have shown that consumption of dissolved DMS by microbial metabolism may be more important than atmospheric exchange in controlling its concentration in surface watwers and hence its ventilation to the atmoshere.

In order to analyze the dynamics of DMS production in the upper ocean, a flow network approach has been chosen and adapted from the plankton community model of Moloney at al. (1986). The present edition (level 1) of the model can be used to investigate the the effect of selected parameters on the production of DMSP,DMS in the water column, and DMS ventilation to the atmosphere. See also modelling of atmosphere DMS homogeneous and hetrogeneous chemistry.

The model consists of eight compartments, three of which are abiotic: dissolved inorganic nitrogen, DMSP and DMS (see figure 1). The biotic compartments comprise the primary producers (generic phytoplankton) and four consumer groups (bacteria, zooflagelates, nonphotosynthetic protozoa and micro and mesozooplankton).

The model is under on-going development, principally by linking it to satellite ocean colour images (CZCS) which are available in the Marine Environment Unit of the Institute for Remote Sensing Applications.

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There is more information on the Marine Environment Unit Data Archives.

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Last changed 1st August 2000; Contact Nicholas Murray in case of problems or questions.