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Research title DMSP Dynamics in Marine Coralline Algae. Summary of research Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) is the major precursor for dimethylsulphide (DMS), an important climate gas. Shaw (1983) and Charlson et al. (1987) described how atmospheric DMS can be important in controlling local climate, acting as a natural thermostat that may buffer global warming effects – the CLAW hypothesis. DMS is oxidised in the atmosphere, forming aerosols that act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), promoting the formation and growth of clouds. Cloud albedo is increased, reflecting solar energy away from the Earth, inducing a cooling effect. This reduces algal growth, decreasing DMS(P) production, reducing the formation of CCN and allowing more solar energy to reach the ocean surface, promoting the growth of algae.
DMSP is thought to be produced by most, if not all, algae and some terrestrial plants (Kiene et al., 2000). Numerous cellular functions for DMSP have been proposed including an osmolyte, a cryoprotectant and an antioxidant (Andreae, 1990; Koop et al., 2001; Sunda et al., 2002). Oceanic concentrations of DMS are sufficiently high to maintain a net flux to the atmosphere. It is estimated that more than 90% of the oceanic biogenic sulphur emissions are derived from DMS, equating to 50% of the world’s total biogenic sulphur (Wiesemeier and Pohnert, 2007).
Free-living coralline algae (maerl or rhodoliths) are non-geniculate red algae that deposit calcium carbonate as they grow. Coralline algae have a worldwide distribution and can from extremely large beds (from 2°N to 23°S in Brazil for example, Foster, 2001). Coralline algae have been recently reported to be significant DMSP producers (Kamenos et al., 2008), containing similar or higher DMSP concentrations to corals and phytoplanktonic blooms – which were thus far thought to be the largest DMSP producers.
This project will assess the natural variability of DMSP production in coralline algae from various locations worldwide and the effect of environmental stress on DMSP production. Comparisons between cellular DMSP concentrations and DMS and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO, the oxidation product of DMS) in the water column are indicative of the primary degradation pathways of DMSP once released from the algal cells. Using protein analysis, the cellular DMSP production pathway can also be determined.
Scottish Association for Marine Science
University of Glasgow marine science
Supervisors Dr Nick Kamenos
Dr Angela Hatton (Scottish Association for Marine Science) Recent publications Thomas, S., Burdett, H., Temperton, B., Wick, R., Snelling, D., McGrath, J.W., Quinn, J.P., Munn, C. and Gilbert, J.A. (2010) Evidence for phosphonate usage in the coral holobiont. The ISME Journal, v.4, 459-461.
View abstract >> Burdett H., Kamenos N.A., Law A. 2011. Using coralline algae to understand historic marine cloud cover. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology v.302, 65-70. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.07.027 >> Recent research grants | View all grants >> Burdett, H. & Donohue, P. (2011) Response of coral reef calcifiers to Ocean Acidification. University of Glasgow Mobility Scholarship, £3750 Burdett, H. 2010. The Impact of Global Warming on Local Climate Regimes in Eastern Canada, £1000 Joseph Burr Tyrrell Fund, The Geological Society. Kamenos, N.A. and Burdett, H.L. 2011 The impact of Pacific upwelling on planktonic dynamics (ASSEMBLE Marine, value to be confirmed) |
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