Emissions of hydrocarbons from marine phytoplankton - Some results from controlled laboratory experiments

W A Mckay, M Turner, B M R Jones, C M Halliwell

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77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Laboratory experiments have been carried out to help assess and quantify the role of marine phytoplankton in the production of non-methane hydrocarbons. Evidence is presented here that supports the hypothesis that some short-chain hydrocarbons are produced during diatom and dinoflagellate lifecycles. The pattern of their emissions to the air above axenic unicultures of diatoms and dinoflagellates has been followed. The results suggest that ethane, ethene, propane and propene are produced during the autolysis of some phytoplankton, possibly by the oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids released into their culture medium. In contrast, isoprene and hexane appear during phytoplankton growth and are thus most likely produced either directly by the plankton or through the oxidation of exuded dissolved organic carbon. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2583-2593
Number of pages11
JournalATMOS ENVIRON
Volume30
Issue number14
Publication statusPublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Environmental Sciences
  • WATER
  • CARBON-MONOXIDE
  • MID-ATLANTIC
  • NONMETHANE HYDROCARBONS
  • LIGHT-HYDROCARBONS
  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

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