Unexpectedly high dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in melt ponds on Arctic sea ice

Abstract

We present up to 10-folds higher DMS concentrations in sea ice melt ponds relative to those in open ocean water at a very high latitude (79°N) central Arctic Ocean. This enriched DMS were observed in bottom closed salty ponds (salinity of about 20), among the melt ponds in an ice floe. Unlike the sea ice-originated fresh ponds, this brackish pond had mixed with seawater from bottom open-hole of the past, and thus seems to serve as gathering place for DMS. Despite the vast marine areas, the role of DMS as enabling a negative climate feedback has been devalued in the Arctic region due to its low production under harsh Arctic environment. Since the warming of Arctic is faster than any other region, this result implies that continuous increase of Arctic melt pond coverage may lead the slowdown of warming in the Arctic Ocean.about 20), among the melt ponds in an ice floe. Unlike the sea ice-originated fresh ponds, this brackish pond had mixed with seawater from bottom open-hole of the past, and thus seems to serve as gathering place for DMS. Despite the vast marine areas, the role of DMS as enabling a negative climate feedback has been devalued in the Arctic region due to its low production under harsh Arctic environment. Since the warming of Arctic is faster than any other region, this result implies that continuous increase of Arctic melt pond coverage may lead the slowdown of warming in the Arctic Ocean.