Role of methanesulfonic acid in atmospheric particle nucleation and growth
Scientists uncover a key marine compound accelerating cloud formation—reshaping climate models
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The brief
A new study identifies methanesulfonic acid, emitted by oceanic plankton, as a critical driver of atmospheric particle nucleation and growth over the world’s oceans. The compound facilitates the formation of cloud condensation nuclei, influencing cloud cover and potentially climate regulation. Researchers at the Cyprus Institute and CERN’s CLOUD experiment highlight this as a previously underappreciated mechanism in marine aerosol production.
Coverage from *Nature*, *EurekAlert!*, *cbn.com.cy*, and CERN emphasizes the discovery’s implications for atmospheric science, noting it could refine predictions of cloud behavior and aerosol dynamics. The findings suggest marine biology plays a more direct role in cloud formation than previously understood, bridging oceanic and atmospheric systems. Further research will likely focus on quantifying the compound’s global impact and its interactions with other aerosol sources.
Climate models may need updating to incorporate this new variable, with potential ripple effects on weather forecasting and climate projections.
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Quick answers
What is methanesulfonic acid?
A sulfur-containing organic compound produced by marine plankton, now identified as a key contributor to atmospheric particle formation over oceans.
How does this discovery affect climate models?
It introduces a new biological driver for cloud nucleation, which may alter predictions of cloud cover, precipitation patterns, and radiative forcing in marine regions.
Which institutions are leading this research?
The Cyprus Institute and CERN’s CLOUD experiment, in collaboration with international atmospheric scientists.
Coverage (5)
- Cyprus Institute helps overturn decades of thinking on how clouds form over oceans Philenews · 1d ago
- Emissions from plankton help in forming cloud seeds over the world's oceans EurekAlert! · 1d ago
- Cyprus Institute study reveals new driver for cloud formation cbn.com.cy · 1d ago
- CLOUD experiment uncovers a major new source of marine aerosol particles Home | CERN · 1d ago
- Role of methanesulfonic acid in atmospheric particle nucleation and growth Nature · 1d ago
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