Ocean Microbes Can Affect Cloud Formation and Climate: Study

A new study has unearthed how some organic compounds found in the sea can affect cloud formation.

An inter-university research team simulated artificial waves using 3,400 gallons of seawater to learn that insoluble material in the ocean was trapped in aerosol sea spray, which burst and let compounds into atmosphere. They also found that the concentration of bacteria affects the amount of insoluble compounds, including fat-like substances, sugars and proteins. Such material are produced when bacteria breakdown phytoplankton.

"It is exciting to finally be able to find a connection between microbes in seawater and atmospheric sea spray. These chemical changes ultimately affect the reflectivity of marine clouds and thus could have profound impacts on climate over a large portion of the planet," said Kimberly Prather the study's lead author.

The key finding however is that sea spray aerosol rich in insoluble material has ice nucleating properties. Ice nucleus is a particle which acts as nucleus for ice particles.

Researchers also found the aerosol spray affects clouds' brightness, which in turn determines solar radiation absorption by Earth's surface. The research realizes scope for further study, including that of impact of sea spray laden with organic compounds on human health.

The study's has been published in the journal ACS Central Science.