The Biogeochemical Cycling of Carbonyl Sulfide and Dimethyl Sulfide at the European Continental Margin

Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is formed photochemically from chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in surface sea water. Its inertness against photo-oxidation allows COS to be transported into the stratosphere, where it is photodissociated and oxidised to sustain the background concentration of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol. This sulfuric acid aerosol is believed to affect the earth’s radiation balance as well as heterogeneous reactions linked to ozone depletion.