Why Does the Ocean Smell Like That?

TL;DR

Phytoplankton produce a compound called DMSP, which gets broken down by microbes into DMS, giving the ocean its distinct smell. DMS also plays a role in cloud formation and climate regulation.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for supporting this episode of SciShow. Go to Brilliant.org/SciShow to see if you can solve today’s Daily Challenges. [♪ INTRO] Once you’ve smelled the ocean, you can’t un-smell it. That sort of sharp, sometimes eggy odor is just that distinctive. And it also plays a big role in ecology and maybe even in the climate! Because sur... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Phytoplankton produce DMSP to protect themselves from UV radiation, balance water content, and deter predators.
• 🌊 DMSP released into the water by predation becomes a food source for microbes, producing DMS and giving the ocean its distinct smell.
• 🌊 The strength of the ocean's odor depends on the abundance of phytoplankton blooms.
• 😶‍🌫️ DMS contributes to cloud formation by acting as condensation nuclei in the atmosphere.
• 💁 Clouds formed by DMS can influence the climate by reflecting sunlight and regulating temperature.
• 🌥️ Phytoplankton, by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, help regulate the climate and produce more DMS through larger blooms.
• 🌊 Ocean acidification due to increased carbon dioxide absorption affects phytoplankton growth and DMS production.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the role of DMSP produced by phytoplankton?

DMSP helps protect phytoplankton from UV radiation, balances the water content in their cells, and deters predators.

Q: How is the distinct smell of the ocean produced?

When predators break open phytoplankton cells, DMSP is released into the water and broken down by microbes, producing DMS, which gives the ocean its odor.

Q: What determines the strength of the ocean's smell?

The abundance of phytoplankton blooms determines the strength of the ocean's smell. Larger blooms produce more DMSP, leading to a stronger sulfur smell.

Q: What role does DMS play in cloud formation?

DMS, as a gas released by phytoplankton, goes through chemical reactions in the atmosphere and acts as condensation nuclei, contributing to cloud formation.

Q: How do phytoplankton affect the climate?

Phytoplankton, through the process of photosynthesis, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce DMS, which contributes to cloud formation. This helps regulate the climate by reflecting sunlight and reducing greenhouse gases.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Phytoplankton produce a compound called DMSP to protect themselves and deter predators. When broken by predators, DMSP is released into the water and becomes a food source for microbes, ultimately producing DMS.

• The strength of the ocean's odor depends on the abundance of phytoplankton blooms. The larger the bloom, the stronger the smell.

• DMS, produced by phytoplankton, plays a surprising role in cloud formation, acting as condensation nuclei and affecting the climate by reflecting sunlight and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.