Carbonyl Sulfide (COS) is the most abundant and longest lived sulfur gas in the atmosphere. COS is transported from the troposphere to the lower stratosphere where it is thought to be a major contributor to the sulfate aerosol layer (Crutzen 1976). This layer affects the radiative balance of the ... Show moreCarbonyl Sulfide (COS) is the most abundant and longest lived sulfur gas in the atmosphere. COS is transported from the troposphere to the lower stratosphere where it is thought to be a major contributor to the sulfate aerosol layer (Crutzen 1976). This layer affects the radiative balance of the atmosphere (Turco et aI, 1980) and may increase the destruction of stratospheric ozone. The oceans are perhaps the largest single source of COS emissions to the atmosphere (Khalil and Rasmussen, 1984). According to Andreae and Ferek (1992) COS is produced by reactions involving UV light and dissolved organic matter (referred to as DOM). As the destruction of the ozone layer increases, more UV radiation will reach the ocean surface, possibly causing an increase in the amount of COS produced. This increased production of COS may cause the sulfate aerosol layer to increase and stratospheric ozone to decrease. Thus a possible positive feedback exists (Fig. 1). The purpose of this project was to study the spectral distribution of COS production in the ocean and its sensitivity to various environmental parameters. Specifically, we investigated how spectral COS production varies with 1) the solar zenith angle, 2) the concentration of chlorophyll in the ocean, and 3) the amount of ozone in the atmosphere. Future work will also be discussed since all factors in COS production were not considered. Show less