Simulating the Fate of Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) in the Atmosphere: A Review of Emission and Chemical Parameterizations.

Abstract

Numerical simulation studies of the dispersion of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the air have increased over the last two decades in parallel with the interest in understanding its role as a precursor of non-sea salt aerosols in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere. Here, we review recent numerical modeling studies that have included DMS emissions, their atmospheric oxidation mechanism, and their subsequent impacts on air quality at regional and global scales. In addition, we discuss the available methods for estimating sea-air DMS fluxes, including parameterizations and climatological datasets, as well as their integration into air quality models. At the regional level, modeling studies focus on the Northern Hemisphere, presenting a large gap in Antarctica, Africa, and the Atlantic coast of South America, whereas at the global scale, modeling studies tend to focus more on polar regions, especially the Arctic. Future studies must consider updated climatologies and parameterizations for more realistic results and the reduction in biases in numerical simulations analysis.