Effects of UVR on biogenic sulfur production in Antarctic coastal waters

TL;DRAbstract

The effect atmospheric aerosols have on solar radiation is a significant uncertainty in climate change research. Sulfate aerosols in particular could have a significant mediating effect on the radiative balance of the planet, due to both their light-scattering properties and their effectiveness as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). The main natural source of sulfate aerosols is the production of dimethylsulfide (DMS) by marine phytoplankton communities. In the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, anthropogenic sulfate contributions are minimal and non-sea-salt sulfate aerosol concentrations are wholly dominated by the seasonal flux of DMS from the ocean. The magnitude of this flux is controlled by Antarctic marine microbial communities.\nOzone depletion is likely to have a significant effect on Antarctic marine microbial communities, and therefore the production of DMS. Given the variability of DMS production from species through to the community level, it is unknown whether enhanced UVR resul

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