Article (Scientific journals)
The biogenic sulfur cycle in the coupled ocean-sea ice-atmosphere system
Ishino, Sakiko; Willis D; Angot H et al.
2026In Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene
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Abstract :
[en] Polar oceans and sea-ice regions are global hot spots for the production of biogenic volatile methylated sulfur (VMS) compounds: dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and methanethiol (MeSH). VMS compounds make important contributions to atmospheric particle formation and cloud property modulation, especially when polar atmospheres are pristine. As a result, the polar biogenic sulfur cycle may induce significant climate feedback in response to ongoing sea ice decline. However, polar VMS production, emission, and atmospheric oxidation processes remain poorly represented in current numerical models, hampering assessments of their radiative impacts and, in turn, implementation of targeted observations necessary for providing predictive understanding of changes in the ocean–sea ice–atmosphere (OIA) system. We synthesize current knowledge of the polar biogenic sulfur cycle and its representation in models. To untangle the existing gaps and provide a roadmap toward predictive understanding, we identify key features of sea ice habitats for biological VMS production, sea ice physical features that enhance or suppress VMS emissions, and atmospheric VMS oxidation at low temperatures that controls the contribution of oxidation products to particle formation or growth. These features are tightly coupled, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts across disciplines that span the OIA interface, and among observational, experimental, and modeling communities. We recommend 4 priority research areas: (1) model representation of biological VMS production at the sea ice bottom and surface; (2) improved quantification of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) sensitivity to VMS emissions with updated gas phase and multiphase oxidation chemistry at low temperatures; (3) better spatial and seasonal quantification of MeSH abundance and its biological and chemical controls in sea-ice environments; and (4) assessment of the contribution of episodic extreme VMS emissions during sea ice breakup for the polar CCN budget.
Research Center/Unit :
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Precision for document type :
Review article
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Ishino, Sakiko
Willis D
Angot H
Bartels-Rausch T
Crabeck, Odile  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch (FOCUS) ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (COU)
Delille, Bruno  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (COU) ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch (FOCUS)
Dunne E
Franklin E
Haddon A
Hayashida H
Sankrina D
Lapere D
Lim H.G
Mahajan H
Mallet M.D
Manville G
Marelle L
Nomura D
Pratt K
Peeken I
Price R
Simo R
Stefels J
Thomas J
Zang C.L
Steiner N
More authors (16 more) Less
Language :
English
Title :
The biogenic sulfur cycle in the coupled ocean-sea ice-atmosphere system
Publication date :
February 2026
Journal title :
Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene
eISSN :
2325-1026
Publisher :
University of California Press, Oakland, United States - California
Special issue title :
Cice2Clouds
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
Available on ORBi :
since 08 January 2026

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