Seasonal Changes in Microbial Dissolved Organic Sulfur Transformations in Coastal Waters

Dixon, JL, Hopkins, FR, Stephens, JA and Schäfer, H 2020 Seasonal Changes in Microbial Dissolved Organic Sulfur Transformations in Coastal Waters. Microorganisms, 8 (3). 337. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8030337

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Abstract/Summary

The marine trace gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) is the single most important biogenic source of atmospheric sulfur, accounting for up to 80% of global biogenic sulfur emissions. Approximately 300milliontonsofDMSareproducedannually,butthemajorityisdegradedbymicrobesinseawater. The DMS precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and oxidation product dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) are also important organic sulfur reservoirs. However, the marine sinks of dissolved DMSO remain unknown. We used a novel combination of stable and radiotracers to determine seasonal changes in multiple dissolved organic sulfur transformation rates to ascertain whether microbial uptake of dissolved DMSO was a significant loss pathway. Surface concentrations of DMS ranged from 0.5 to 17.0 nM with biological consumption rates between 2.4 and 40.8 nM·d−1. DMS produced from the reduction of DMSO was not a significant process. Surface concentrations of total DMSO ranged from 2.3 to 102 nM with biological consumption of dissolved DMSO between 2.9 and 111 nM·d−1. Comparisons between 14C2-DMSO assimilation and dissimilation rates suggest that the majority of dissolved DMSO was respired (>94%). Radiotracer microbial consumption rates suggest that dissimilation of dissolved DMSO to CO2 can be a significant loss pathway in coastal waters, illustrating the significance of bacteria in controlling organic sulfur seawater concentrations.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	dimethylsulfide; dimethylsulfoxide; bacteria; dissimilation to CO2; radiotracers; stable tracers; coastal variability
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > National Capability categories > Single Centre NC - CLASS Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Marine Biochemistry and Observations
Depositing User:	S Hawkins
Date made live:	27 Mar 2020 11:00
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2020 10:02
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/8905

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