Dimethyl Sulfide Production in Marine Phytoplankton

Abstract

Significant dimethyl sulfide (DMS) production is confined to a few classes of marine phytoplankton, mainly the Dinophyceae (dinoflagellates) and the Prymnesiophyceae (which includes the coccolitnophores). One hundred and twenty-three individual clones of phytoplankton representing twelve algal classes were examined in exponential growth for intra- and extracellular DMS (and its precursor DMSP). There is a strong correlation between the taxonomic position of the phytoplankton and the production of DMS. Although the Dinophyceae and Prymnesiophyceae predominate, other chromophyte algae (those possessing chlorophylls a and c ) also contain and release significant amounts of DMS, including some members of the Chrysophyceae and the Bacillariophyceae (the diatoms). The chlorophytes (those algae possessing chlorophylls a and b ) are much less significant producers of DMS with the exception of a few very small species. Other classes, including the cryptomonads and the cyanobacteria, are minor producers.