[Production and consumption of dimethyl sulfur compounds by three typical algae]

By the method of inhibitor amendment, this paper estimated the production and consumption of dimethyl sulfur compounds by Skeletonema costatum, Phaeocystis sp. and Prorocentrum donghaiense in their different growth phases. The results indicated that throughout the whole growth period of the three algae, particle dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPp) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSOp) were net consumed. The concentrations of dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPd) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSOd) were mainly affected by the processes of algal production and bacterial and virus consumption, and thus, could reflect their production or consumption rates in the growth period of algae. Dimethylsulfide (DMS) was net produced in the whole growth period of the algae. There was a greater difference in the production and consumption of dimethyl sulfur compounds for the same alga in its different growth phases and for different algae in the same growth phase, indicating that both the physiology and the inter-species difference of algae had effects on the production and consumption of dimethyl sulfur compounds.