Ocean gas that might offset global warming may rise by 2100: IITM Study
Pune: A new Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) study has revealed that a natural gas produced by tiny ocean organisms could play a bigger role in cooling the planet as
global warming
continues.
Dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a sulphur-containing gas released from the oceans, is the largest natural source of sulphur in the atmosphere. This gas helps form aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space, potentially reducing global temperatures.
DMS is sometimes referred to as the "cool twin" of carbon dioxide (CO2) because it has a cooling effect on the planet, while CO2 is a well-known greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
"DMS is created by microscopic marine organisms called phytoplankton. When released into the air, it turns into particles (aerosols) that help form clouds. These clouds can reflect sunlight, which cools the Earth by reducing the amount of heat absorbed. Scientists have long studied DMS because it could act as a natural brake on global warming," IITM scientist Anoop Mahajan told TOI.
The study, published recently, used advanced machine-learning models to predict how DMS levels in seawater and its release into the atmosphere might change from 1850 to 2100.
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"Unlike earlier climate models that gave conflicting results, this research offered a clearer picture. It showed that while DMS concentrations in seawater are likely to decrease in the coming decades, the amount of DMS released into the air will actually increase. This is due to stronger winds and warmer sea surface temperatures, which help push more DMS from the ocean into the atmosphere. The increase in DMS emissions could have a cooling effect on the planet," Mahajan said.
As human activities, like burning coal and oil, produce less sulphur dioxide (a pollutant that also forms aerosols) because of stricter air quality rules, natural DMS will become a more important source of these cooling particles, he added.
The study predicted that DMS emissions could rise by 1.6% to 3.7% by 2100, depending on how much global warming occurs. "However, this does not mean DMS will fully offset global warming.
The cooling effect from increased DMS emissions is expected to be modest compared to the warming caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The rise in DMS emissions is a positive feedback from nature, but it's not a silver bullet.
We still need strong action to cut greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change effectively," Mahajan added.
The study found that DMS emissions are likely to increase most in regions like the Arctic and southern mid-latitudes, where there are fewer human-made aerosols. In these areas, DMS could have a stronger cooling effect. However, in key ocean regions like the Southern Ocean and parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, seawater DMS levels are expected to drop, which could limit the overall cooling potential.
Other institutes involved in the study included Savitribai Phule Pune University, as well as institutes from Italy, Spain and Canada.
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