Biological production of methyl bromide by cultures of marine phytoplankton

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Abstract
Methyl bromide production was followed in cultures of a selection of marine phytoplankton species throughout their growth cycle. The cultures were species common to coastal and(or) open ocean areas, as well as originating from various latitudinal bands. Methyl bromide was produced by 13 out of 19 species tested, with production rates ranging from 1.7 to 30.1 pg CH3Br µg−1 Chl a d−1. Species that are strictly coastal or more abundant in coastal areas appeared to be stronger producers of CH,Br than species that are more abundant in open ocean areas. The prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis sp., a bloom‐forming, ubiquitous species, showed the highest daily production rate normalized to Chl a of 30.1 pg CH3Br µg−1 Chl a d−1. The range of methyl bromide production by the phytoplankton cultures tested suggests that the input of methyl bromide by marine phytoplankton can be significant in coastal oceans.

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