A multidisciplinary study of DMSP production and lysis - from enzymes to organisms to process modelling.
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Department Name: Plymouth Marine Lab
Abstract
A billion tonnes of the compatible solute dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is made each year by marine phytoplankton, seaweeds, corals, coastal plants and, as shown by us, marine bacteria. DMSP has key roles in marine ecosystems when released into the environment, serving as an osmoprotectant and key nutrient for marine microbial communities. DMSP is also the main precursor of the climate-cooling gas dimethylsulfide (DMS). Many organisms cleave DMSP, producing ~300 million tonnes of DMS annually, ~10 % of which is released into the air. DMS oxidises in the atmosphere, producing aerosols that can lead to increased cloud cover and potential effects on climate, or be returned to land in rain, a key step in the global sulfur cycle. DMSP and DMS are also chemoattractants for many organisms which associate them with food.
Despite the importance of DMSP, knowledge of how and why it is produced is quite superficial. We know that DMSP and DMS production is highly variable between and within the different groups of producers, but the reasons for this variability are not understood, mainly because genes encoding DMSP synthesis enzymes have yet to be identified and DMSP lyases have only just been identified in a DMSP-producing organism.
Our preliminary work has identified dsy genes which encode key DMSP synthesis enzymes in bacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates, corals and haptophytes - the major groups of marine DMSP-producers. Variability in DMSP/DMS production may stem from their different Dsy enzymes.
Our aim is to establish "why some organisms make more DMSP than others and the contribution of different organisms to global DMSP and DMS production".
It is possible that variability in DMSP production in different organisms stems from the differing efficiencies or expression of their Dsy enzymes. To test this, we will use biochemical techniques to characterise the different Dsy enzymes of the major classes of DMSP-producers.
We will study how diverse, model DMSP-producers express their DMSP and DMS synthesis enzymes in response to varying conditions, since the expression level may govern the amount of DMSP produced. This may shed light on the effects of climate change, e.g., if Dsy and DMSP lyase expression is increased by higher temperatures. For the important DMSP/DMS-producing algae Emiliania huxleyi and Symbiodinium, we will precisely locate the Dsy enzymes within the cell as this will help in understanding the role(s) of DMSP in these organisms. By relating cellular location and Dsy enzymology data to DMSP (and synthesis intermediates) and DMS concentrations, production rates in key DMSP producers and the conditions that enhance accumulation, we will more fully understand why high variability in DMSP and DMS production exists.
As future changes in environmental conditions will likely affect DMSP/DMS production, and potentially climate, and vice versa, it is important to understand and predict these effects. Current estimates of DMSP/DMS production are likely inaccurate due to a lack of integrated studies combining molecular, biogeochemical, process and modelling data. Here, we will carry out a detailed, year-long study at the coastal site L4 in the English Channel (chosen for its location and range of contextual data). We will study the diversity and expression of key genes in DMSP/DMS synthesis, DMSP synthesis rates, group-specific phytoplankton DMSP production, bulk standing stocks of DMSP (and synthesis intermediates) and DMS and microbial diversity over a seasonal succession. Our studies will tell us which organisms produce DMSP/DMS, production rates and concentrations, the genes used and under what conditions. Using these data, we will input critical state and rate parameters into a new model for DMSP/DMS dynamics, allowing the contribution of different taxa to global production of DMSP/DMS to be more accurately predicted, along with any possible effects of climate change.
Despite the importance of DMSP, knowledge of how and why it is produced is quite superficial. We know that DMSP and DMS production is highly variable between and within the different groups of producers, but the reasons for this variability are not understood, mainly because genes encoding DMSP synthesis enzymes have yet to be identified and DMSP lyases have only just been identified in a DMSP-producing organism.
Our preliminary work has identified dsy genes which encode key DMSP synthesis enzymes in bacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates, corals and haptophytes - the major groups of marine DMSP-producers. Variability in DMSP/DMS production may stem from their different Dsy enzymes.
Our aim is to establish "why some organisms make more DMSP than others and the contribution of different organisms to global DMSP and DMS production".
It is possible that variability in DMSP production in different organisms stems from the differing efficiencies or expression of their Dsy enzymes. To test this, we will use biochemical techniques to characterise the different Dsy enzymes of the major classes of DMSP-producers.
We will study how diverse, model DMSP-producers express their DMSP and DMS synthesis enzymes in response to varying conditions, since the expression level may govern the amount of DMSP produced. This may shed light on the effects of climate change, e.g., if Dsy and DMSP lyase expression is increased by higher temperatures. For the important DMSP/DMS-producing algae Emiliania huxleyi and Symbiodinium, we will precisely locate the Dsy enzymes within the cell as this will help in understanding the role(s) of DMSP in these organisms. By relating cellular location and Dsy enzymology data to DMSP (and synthesis intermediates) and DMS concentrations, production rates in key DMSP producers and the conditions that enhance accumulation, we will more fully understand why high variability in DMSP and DMS production exists.
As future changes in environmental conditions will likely affect DMSP/DMS production, and potentially climate, and vice versa, it is important to understand and predict these effects. Current estimates of DMSP/DMS production are likely inaccurate due to a lack of integrated studies combining molecular, biogeochemical, process and modelling data. Here, we will carry out a detailed, year-long study at the coastal site L4 in the English Channel (chosen for its location and range of contextual data). We will study the diversity and expression of key genes in DMSP/DMS synthesis, DMSP synthesis rates, group-specific phytoplankton DMSP production, bulk standing stocks of DMSP (and synthesis intermediates) and DMS and microbial diversity over a seasonal succession. Our studies will tell us which organisms produce DMSP/DMS, production rates and concentrations, the genes used and under what conditions. Using these data, we will input critical state and rate parameters into a new model for DMSP/DMS dynamics, allowing the contribution of different taxa to global production of DMSP/DMS to be more accurately predicted, along with any possible effects of climate change.
Planned Impact
We show for the first time that marine bacteria can produce dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and identify the key gene in DMSP synthesis in these bacteria and all the major classes of DMSP-producing algae. Many of these microbes also lyse DMSP, making the climate-active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS). Our work is important because DMSP/DMS are made in large amounts globally and have key roles in sulfur and nutrient cycling, signalling pathways and climate. The proposed project is driven by the need for a mechanistic understanding of these pathways, the biodiversity of microbes carrying out these processes and environmental stimuli that regulate DMS/DMSP production. Our work will provide essential data for future modelling of DMSP/DMS production in marine environments.
Our work will be of interest to scientists including microbiologists, molecular ecologists, computational biologists, biological modellers and biochemists due to the range of data generated. The resources generated from the English Channel will be invaluable and complement existing biological knowledge of important ecosystems.
DMSP/DMS research is well-represented in recent high impact journals and has been a well-funded and publicised area of NERC research, e.g. a special report on microbial DMS production in Planet Earth (2009). Here the editor highlighted the phrase "It is astonishing that we still do not know of a single gene for DMSP synthesis", emphasising the potential impact of our work. Thus, we are confident our project will be of interest to a wide scientific audience. We will disseminate our findings in the best international peer-reviewed journals and strive to include other publications in journals that have wider audiences, e.g. Microbiology Today.
There is evidence that the media/general public found our previous NERC-funded work into DMSP/DMS to be interesting e.g. the Todd et al (2007) Science paper led to appearances on TV, radio interviews and press reports throughout the world. We will continue to disseminate our findings to the public and media through e.g. UEA, PML, our websites, Twitter and NERC.
Our outreach component of Pathways to Impact focuses on delivering its outcomes mainly to our younger generation. This will be done through SAW (Science Art Writing) and Research Network events (ResNet), and will involve local schools. We will host students in our labs and continue our outreach work to students around Devon and East Anglia via visits, talks and student projects. The posting of material outlining our work on our websites and Twitter will allow us to reach a wider audience.
There are potential commercial and policy outputs from our work. DMSP/DMS research has applications of interest to industry. The co-products of DMSP lyase enzymes, hydroxypropionate or acrylate are high-value chemicals, e.g. in the plastics industry. Also, DMSP is an antistress compound and osmolyte in environments with high salt/sulfur levels, and DMS is a desirable flavour in e.g. beer, wine or other foodstuffs. The ability of the organisms to produce both DMSP/DMS without expensive feedstock addition clearly offers potential benefits to industry. Knowing factors controlling DMSP/DMS production in different producers may allow for optimisation of the processes. The use of genetics and metabolic engineering could be used to improve yield and efficiency and/or introduce pathways into other organisms, e.g. one could potentially engineer methanogenic bacteria or crops to produce these products. As part of our impact plan, we will explore the potential of these ideas through interactions with chemists and industry.
This research will benefit wider society through improvements in policy facilitated by our new model for DMSP/DMS dynamics and its feeding into the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM). These models can inform policymakers on the potential environmental consequences of changes in DMSP/DMS production under future climate scenarios.
Our work will be of interest to scientists including microbiologists, molecular ecologists, computational biologists, biological modellers and biochemists due to the range of data generated. The resources generated from the English Channel will be invaluable and complement existing biological knowledge of important ecosystems.
DMSP/DMS research is well-represented in recent high impact journals and has been a well-funded and publicised area of NERC research, e.g. a special report on microbial DMS production in Planet Earth (2009). Here the editor highlighted the phrase "It is astonishing that we still do not know of a single gene for DMSP synthesis", emphasising the potential impact of our work. Thus, we are confident our project will be of interest to a wide scientific audience. We will disseminate our findings in the best international peer-reviewed journals and strive to include other publications in journals that have wider audiences, e.g. Microbiology Today.
There is evidence that the media/general public found our previous NERC-funded work into DMSP/DMS to be interesting e.g. the Todd et al (2007) Science paper led to appearances on TV, radio interviews and press reports throughout the world. We will continue to disseminate our findings to the public and media through e.g. UEA, PML, our websites, Twitter and NERC.
Our outreach component of Pathways to Impact focuses on delivering its outcomes mainly to our younger generation. This will be done through SAW (Science Art Writing) and Research Network events (ResNet), and will involve local schools. We will host students in our labs and continue our outreach work to students around Devon and East Anglia via visits, talks and student projects. The posting of material outlining our work on our websites and Twitter will allow us to reach a wider audience.
There are potential commercial and policy outputs from our work. DMSP/DMS research has applications of interest to industry. The co-products of DMSP lyase enzymes, hydroxypropionate or acrylate are high-value chemicals, e.g. in the plastics industry. Also, DMSP is an antistress compound and osmolyte in environments with high salt/sulfur levels, and DMS is a desirable flavour in e.g. beer, wine or other foodstuffs. The ability of the organisms to produce both DMSP/DMS without expensive feedstock addition clearly offers potential benefits to industry. Knowing factors controlling DMSP/DMS production in different producers may allow for optimisation of the processes. The use of genetics and metabolic engineering could be used to improve yield and efficiency and/or introduce pathways into other organisms, e.g. one could potentially engineer methanogenic bacteria or crops to produce these products. As part of our impact plan, we will explore the potential of these ideas through interactions with chemists and industry.
This research will benefit wider society through improvements in policy facilitated by our new model for DMSP/DMS dynamics and its feeding into the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM). These models can inform policymakers on the potential environmental consequences of changes in DMSP/DMS production under future climate scenarios.
Organisations
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory (Lead Research Organisation)
- Curtin University (Collaboration)
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (Collaboration)
- Paul Scherrer Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Groningen (Collaboration)
- Hokkaido University (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- University of Plymouth (Collaboration)
- University of East Anglia (Collaboration)
- University of Geneva (Collaboration)
- PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY (Collaboration)
- Duke University (Collaboration)
- University of California, Irvine (Collaboration)
- Oregon State University (Collaboration)
- University of Tasmania (Collaboration)
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX (Collaboration)
- University of Cape Town (Collaboration)
Publications
Archer S
(2017)
Limitation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate synthesis at high irradiance in natural phytoplankton communities of the Tropical Atlantic
in Limnology and Oceanography
Dall'Osto M
(2019)
Simultaneous Detection of Alkylamines in the Surface Ocean and Atmosphere of the Antarctic Sympagic Environment
in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Dall'Osto M
(2017)
Antarctic sea ice region as a source of biogenic organic nitrogen in aerosols.
in Scientific reports
Hackenberg S
(2017)
Potential controls of isoprene in the surface ocean
in Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Hopkins F
(2023)
The biogeochemistry of marine dimethylsulfide
in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
Jameson E
(2019)
Deltaproteobacteria (Pelobacter) and Methanococcoides are responsible for choline-dependent methanogenesis in a coastal saltmarsh sediment.
in The ISME journal
Description | Marine dimethyl sulfide (DMS) emissions are an important source of atmospheric sulfate aerosols which exert a strong influence on climate. The major biological precursor for DMS is dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an abundant compatible solute produced by many marine eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Despite the importance of DMSP, knowledge of how, why and by what it is produced is limited. For example, haptophytes (inc. coccolithophores) and dinoflagellates typically produce 50-100 times more DMSP per unit Chlorophyll a than diatoms and prochlorophytes. However, the reasons for this are not fully understood as the relevant enzymes have until recently been poorly characterised. Furthermore, although the DMSP synthesis genes and their transcripts are widespread in surface ocean bacterial communities, the contribution by this group of organisms to total DMSP production is so far unquantified. We have completed a 6-month time series (April - September 2018) of in-vivo DMSP synthesis rates at an established time series station in temperate shelf sea waters, alongside characterisation of the key S-methylation step of DMSP synthesis pathways. We have also studied these processes in the 2020/2021 season. in 2018, DMSP concentrations ranged from 21 - 165 nM, with peaks in DMSP production rates in late April (26.1 nmol L-1 d-1) and early July (19.1 nmol L-1 d-1). These DMSP production peaks coincided with significant increases in the abundance of known DMSP producing algae and bacteria, and of their transcription of DSYB/dsyb genes, as indicated by RT-qPCR and 'omics analysis. These novel state and rate data, have been used to refine a DMS dynamics model by including newly defined DMSP-specific functional types, including both algal and bacterial DMSP producers. |
Exploitation Route | The process understanding of DMSP production and breakdown is key to global modelling of DMS and understanding of the flux of these biogeochemically important compounds in the marine environment. The project findings will be used by modellers and biogeochemists to better understand the fluxes of these S coumpounds in the marine environment. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Environment |
Description | NERC Discovery |
Amount | £800,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/R010382/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 04/2021 |
Title | DMS model formulation re-coded in the FABM-ERSEM framework |
Description | Model formulation describing DMSP and DMS dynamics (Polimene et al., 2012) have been re-coded in the FABM-ERSEM modelling framework. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The DMS(P) model developed at PML (Polimene et al., 2012) is now merged into the latest version of FABM-ERSEM developed in the framework of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry (SSB) program . The new FABM-ERSEM has increased modularity allowing a more versatile use of the model. The model code is now usable by the whole ERSEM community, within SSB and beyond. This version of the model will be used as developing platform in the project:' A multidisciplinary study of DMSP production and lysis - from enzymes to organisms to process modelling'. |
Title | DMSP/DMS model developmets |
Description | The DMSP/DMS model published in 2012 (Polimene at al 2012) was modified extending DMSP production to all the functional types described in the ERSEM model. The model was implemented at L4 station in the Western English Channel and simulation were qualitatively compared with available literature data (Archer et al 2009) |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This exercise provided a preliminary assessment of model capability to simulate DMSP dynamics in a coastal area |
Title | GOTM-ERSEM with DMSP at L4 |
Description | GOTM-ERSEM with the addition of DMSP dynamics is run at L4. Simulated DMSP and DMS are compared with published observational data from 2003-2004, 2014 and 2016. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | To evaluate the capability of ERSEM to simulate DMSP dynamics at L4 |
Title | Sampling at Western CHannel Observatory |
Description | DMSP synthesis rates at WCO at different times of year, combined with standing stock concentrations, group specific measuremnets and DNA/RNA sampling. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | None yet |
Description | Advanced Research Fund Proposal |
Organisation | Plymouth Marine Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Improved collaboration within PML between myself and MBO groups. A proposal is being submitted as a direct consequence of new results found from this project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge of DMS cycling. The proposal is also likely to include other external partners via in kind contributions. |
Impact | Draft proposal to be submitted at the end of March 23 |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Genes to Gases Workshop |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Had idea of workshop, consulted UK network, workshop co-convener, presented talk, and led discussion session. |
Collaborator Contribution | Workshop organiser and co-convener |
Impact | The Genes to Gases workshop was held in June 2017, at the University of East Anglia. The workshop was multidisciplinary, included researchers from all over the UK, and covered biogeochemistry of trace gases and their precursors (measurement); genes, metabolic pathways, enzymes involved in their production, and modelling. A small group also discussed ideas for a large grant. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Genes to Gases Workshop |
Organisation | University of Essex |
Department | Institute for Social and Economic Research, Essex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Had idea of workshop, consulted UK network, workshop co-convener, presented talk, and led discussion session. |
Collaborator Contribution | Workshop organiser and co-convener |
Impact | The Genes to Gases workshop was held in June 2017, at the University of East Anglia. The workshop was multidisciplinary, included researchers from all over the UK, and covered biogeochemistry of trace gases and their precursors (measurement); genes, metabolic pathways, enzymes involved in their production, and modelling. A small group also discussed ideas for a large grant. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | Curtin University |
Department | Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | Duke University |
Department | Cassar Lab |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | Paul Scherrer Institute |
Department | Division of Biology and Chemistry |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | University of Cape Town |
Department | Department of Chemical Engineering |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | University of Geneva |
Department | Faculty of Sciences |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | University of Plymouth |
Department | School of Biological Sciences and Marine Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Large international network collaborating as project partners for IOF pump priming plus award |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Brought network together, led proposal, organising international data workshop 2018. |
Collaborator Contribution | Letters of support promising in kind support and provision of data and expertise (international partners). Sequencing and bioinformatics processing of DNA and RNA. Analysis of methylamines. Workshop attendance. |
Impact | Collaboration is multidisciplinary: remote sensing and bio-optics; southern ocean nutrient sources and microbial community composition; Southern Ocean bacteria, viruses and influence of metal availability; aerosol climate affects; Southern Ocean carbon export production; bioinformatics; modelling; organic reactive trace gases. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Moorea collaboration |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Department | Institute of Marine Sciences |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision and shipping of kit for sampling in Moorea. Analysis of samples for N-osmolytes |
Collaborator Contribution | Sampling in research campaign in Moorea, looking at range of trace gases, their precursors, and their biological and physical control. |
Impact | Still in progress |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | NAAMES collaboration microlayer sampling |
Organisation | University of California, Irvine |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Shipping of microlayer samples from Woods Hole to the UK. Analysis of microlayer samples for N-osmolytes. Data interpretation with international team. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners collected microlayer samples for us on board the NAAMES cruise (September 2017) in the North Atlantic. This was an add-on opportunity, and there is a team of international researchers analysing microlayer samples for their specialist parameters, enabling better understanding of the air-sea interface. |
Impact | Still in progress |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Organisation | Paul Scherrer Institute |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. We have participated in two workshops using a latent variable model to look at our large combined dataset |
Collaborator Contribution | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Impact | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Department | Institute of Marine Sciences |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. We have participated in two workshops using a latent variable model to look at our large combined dataset |
Collaborator Contribution | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Impact | NOSASSO is an active participant in ASAID, the ocean-atmosphere interactions subproject of ACE-DATA. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | PI-ICE Antarctic Organic Nitrogen |
Organisation | Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Sampling and analysis expertise for N-osmolytes. |
Collaborator Contribution | Sampling opportunity on board ship and at research base in ANtarctica |
Impact | Sample collection in Antarctica |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | Hokkaido University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | Oregon State University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | University of Groningen |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) working group 166 - full member |
Organisation | University of Tasmania |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I am a full member of the SCOR working group 166 'Developing resources for the study of Methylated Sulfur compound cycling PROcesses in the ocean (DMS-PRO)', a team comprised of international experts in marine sulfur biogeochemistry. As a full member, I help to coordinate the development of an published Standard Operating Procedure for the determination of rates of sulfur cycling in the oceans. PI on DMSPInTerrest Prof Jonathan Todd is an associate memebr of the working group. |
Collaborator Contribution | All partners contribute to the working group by participating in meetings, contributing to the development of a published Standard Operating Procedure, and developing an accessible global database of marine sulfur cycling rates. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | "Closer Look" film for BBC Countryfile |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Footage prepared with Countryfile team, covered local water based activities in the Southwest, well being and marine science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Convening Genes for Gases workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Convening workshop to be held in June 2017 entitled "Genes to Gases" for the UK community studying the biogeochemistry of trace gases and the microbial enzymes and pathways involved in their formation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Delivery of seminar at UEA |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Frances Hopkins was invited to give a seminar for the Atmospheric and Marine Biogeochemistry seminar series, hosted by the School of Environmental Sciences, UEA, on the state-of-art of DMS biogeochemistry. This sparked fruitful questions and discussions and solidfied collaborative links. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | External examiner for PhD |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | External examiner for PhD on bacterial DMSP synthesis, UEA. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Genes to Gases workshop: DMS |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk delivered at Genes to Gases workshop: Biogeochemical cycling of DMS and associated compounds in the surface waters:from temperate to polar waters |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Genes to Gases workshop: Discussion session |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I chaired a discussion session at the Genes to Gases workshop (UEA, June 2017), to identify new interdisciplinary research crossover and priorities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Genes to gases workshop: Modelling |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A talk and discussion on the use of modelling in trace gas research was given at the Genes to Gases workshop. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | International science meeting GU |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Abstract submitted for EGU conference. Molecular insight into DMSP production in temperate shelf sea waters. Hopkins, Airs, Polimene, Todd. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Invited talk at GASG's 30th Birthday and 85nd Colloquium (Abingdon) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Invited talk on natural sulfur cycling and climate effects for a key event in the calendar of the Gas Analysis and Sensing Group - The purpose of GASG is to: provide a forum for the discussion and dissemination of information about all aspects of gas analysis and sensing. This includes legislation and standards. stimulate the research, development and application of gas sensing and analysis. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.gasg.info/?page=pdfdownload&pdfname=85th%20GASG%20Colloquium%20Programme%20Final.pdf |
Description | Invited to attend ACE data workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited and funded to attend Antarctic CIrcumnavigation Expedition Data Workshop in Lausanne. Outcomes were data integration projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | NOSASSO International Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Researchers from 7 projects within the Circumnavigation Expedition project came together in Plymouth for 3 days to discuss our research approaches and findings together, to get the most value and understanding from our data |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Participation in ASAID workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | ASAID data workshop looking at using a latent variable approach to look at large fieldwork datasets from Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition, including N-osmolytes |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Polar 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Attended Polar 2018 in Davos, and presented posters on: Exploring ocean-atmosphere exchanges in the SOuthern Ocean: the PEGASO and ACE projects; ANtarctic sea ice region as a source of biogenic nitrogen in aerosols. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Poster presentation at SOLAS International Open Science Conference, South Africa, Sept 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation on "From genes to models: Molecular insight into reduced sulfur cycling in temperate shelf sea waters" given during hybrid poster session during the International SOLAS Open Science Conference. This resulted in engaging discussions with scientists from across the international research community. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation at international conference EGU |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Abstract submitted and accepted as a talk at the EGU international conference to be held on April 2023. Seasonal DMSP production dynamics in temperate waters driven by significant contributions from both eukaryotic and prokaryotic autotrophs, Hopkins, Airs, Todd et al. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Presentation to modelling group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of experimental and modelling DMS/P work was made to the modelling group at PML to make them aware of the work and allow further proposals/collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Radio interview on BBC Radio Devon breakfast show |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Frances Hopkins was interviewed on the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Devon to promote the Soapbox Science event in Exeter, and talk in general about the importance of 'the smell of the sea' (DMS) in influencing Earth's climate. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Royal Society of Chemistry Invited Lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Gave RSC invited lecture of biogeochemistry of N-osmolytes |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Science presentation given at the annual international Microbial Cycling of Volatile Organic Compounds, at John Innes Centre, Norwich. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Science presentation on "Molecular insight into DMSP and DMS production in temperate shelf sea waters". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Soapbox Science presentation, Exeter, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Frances Hopkins was selected as presenter in Exeter Soapbox Science event, held in June 2022, where she explained the wonders of the role of DMS in regaulating Earth's climate. Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform for promoting women and non-binary scientists and the science they do. These events transform public areas into an arena for public learning and scientific debate, following the format of London Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner, which is historically an arena for public debate. Over the course of the event, almost 700 people stopped, listened and engaged with the speakers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/events/soapboxscience/ |
Description | Workshop for primary school teachers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | As part of the development of an Ocean Conservation Curriculum for primary schools, the Ocean Connect Academy (which manages 8 primary schools in the Plymouth area) organised a workshop for teacher training, on topics relating to the oceans. PML led a workshop on 'The role of oceans in climate' and Frances Hopkins designed and presented a section of this workshop on the role of DMS in climate regulation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | YouTube video on DMSP project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We produced a YouTube video describing the aims and objectives of the DMSP project, which has now had over 1.5k views. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clxu2IWIeRk |