Revealing the Marine Cycles of Volatile Sulfur Compounds and Their Biogeochemical Controls: A Case of the Western North Pacific

Abstract

Volatile sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbonyl sulfide (OCS), and carbon disulfide (CS 2 ), have significant implications for both atmospheric chemistry and climate change. Despite the crucial role of oceans in regulating their atmospheric budgets, our comprehension of their cycles in seawater remains insufficient. To address this gap, a field investigation was conducted in the western North Pacific to clarify the sources, sinks, and biogeochemical controls of these gases in two different marine environments, including relatively eutrophic Kuroshio−Oyashio extension (KOE) and oligotrophic North Pacific subtropical gyre. Our findings revealed higher concentrations of these gases in both seawater and the atmosphere in the KOE compared to the subtropical gyre. In the KOE, nutrient-rich upwelling stimulated rapid DMS biological production, while reduced seawater temperatures hindered the removal of OCS and CS 2 , leading to their accumulation. Furthermore, we have quantitatively evaluated the relative contribution of each pathway to the source and sink of DMS, OCS, and CS 2 within the mixed layer and identified vertical exchange as a potential sink in most cases, transporting substantial amounts of these gases from the mixed layer to deeper waters. This research advances our understanding of sulfur gas source-sink dynamics in seawater, contributing to the assessment of their marine emissions and atmospheric budgets.