Discovery done by scientist on ocean algae that can cool down the Earth

Saltwater Algae (Photo - Canva)

A team of scientists has found a common algae that can cool down the earth's climate. These tiny marine organisms, known as bloom-forming Pelagophyceae algae, produce a compound called dimethyl sulfoniopropionate (DMSP).

DMSP is a massively abundant compound that is a major source of climate-cooling gases and food for microorganisms.

Every year, in the ocean, billions of DMSP get produced, and marine microorganisms are responsible for this production of algae as it helps them survive in marine life.

The identifier of this algae was from the team of the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Ocean University of China (OUC). Dr. Andrew Curson played a pivotal role in the team that discovered this unique enzyme that produces DMSP.

The SinoUK Joint Research Centre was founded by UEA and OUC. This center aims to support innovative marine research, do scientific research on the ocean, and provide education.

The team mentioned that when DMS is released into the atmosphere, DMS byproducts help in the formation of clouds, and these clouds reflect the sunlight away from the earth, resulting in the cooling of the earth. This is a natural process that is crucial for the earth's climate.