A study published in the journal Nature Microbiology indicated that marine algae can cool the Earth's climate, making it a natural defense against global warming.
The study was conducted by scientists and researchers from the British University of East Anglia and the Chinese Ocean Research University, and it was found that some common marine algae species play an important role in protecting the Earth from the effects of rising temperatures.
Scientists pointed out that the Pelagophyceae algae is an important producer of the compound dimethyl sulfoniopropionate, and this compound plays a major role in protecting marine microorganisms from various stresses, including salinity, high pressure, and oxidative stress, which may result from the effects of global warming. Also, this compound is The main ingredient of the distinctive sea scent.
Scientists also found that the Pelagophyceae algae produces the aforementioned compound in large quantities, something that had not been observed in climate studies previously. When this compound is released into the atmosphere, the materials resulting from its oxidation form clouds that reflect sunlight, which helps cool the Earth and reduce the effects of global warming.
The authors of the study noted that their studies on the aforementioned algae were conducted in laboratories, and it is necessary to conduct additional studies on these organisms in their natural environment, and it is important to discover other marine organisms that also contribute to the production of the compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate.