Unveiling the latest research findings: Dr. Wohl's remarkable publication

Polar.lu's Dr. Charel Wohl, researcher at the University of East Anglia (UEA), spearheaded a groundbreaking study revealing that marine life produces a sulfur gas, methanethiol, which cools the climate more than previously thought, especially over the Southern Ocean. The research, published in Science Advances, builds on the theory that plankton release sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which form aerosols that reflect solar radiation and reduce the Earth’s heat. Dr. Wohl’s team expanded this understanding by discovering the role of methanethiol, a previously overlooked sulfur compound that significantly contributes to cooling by forming aerosols more efficiently than DMS.

Thanks to advances in measurement techniques, Dr. Wohl and his colleagues quantified the global emissions of methanethiol, revealing that it increases marine sulfur emissions by 25%. The study improves climate models, particularly for the Southern Hemisphere, where the cooling effects of these aerosols are more pronounced due to the lower presence of human-produced sulfur. This research is pivotal in refining climate predictions and understanding the complex role oceans play in regulating the Earth's climate. Dr. Wohl’s work helps close long-standing gaps in climate models, offering crucial insights that can influence future climate policies and actions to mitigate global warming.