Abstract
The reduced sulfur compounds H2S and CH3SCH3 have been included in a diurnal kinetic photochemical model of the natural marine atmosphere. The self‐consistent solution provides the oceanic emission fluxes necessary to balance atmospheric chemical removal. These fluxes imply global values of 30 Tg S yr−1, near the lower limit prescribed by current global sulfur cycle assessments. The conversion of reduced sulfur gases to SO2 does not result in SO2 concentrations as high as are measured; either a natural or transport source of SO2 is present or additional reduced sulfur compounds are involved in oceanic SO2 production. The calculated upper limit for sulfate formation as a result of oxidation chemistry from the H2S and CH3SCH3 precursors is of order 25 Tg S yr−1, with an additional 29 Tg S yr−1 resulting from oxidation of SO2 generated from sources other than H2S and CH3SCH3.