Sulfur emission from marine phytoplankton has been recognized as an important
factor for global climate and as an entry into the biogeochemical S cycle. Despite
this significance, little is known about the cellular S metabolism in algae that forms
the basis of this emission. Some biochemical and genetic evidence for regulation of S
uptake and assimilation is available for the freshwater model alga
Chlamydomonas
.
However, the marine environment is substantially different from most freshwaters,
containing up to 50 times higher free sulfate concentrations and challenging the
adaptive mechanisms of primary and secondary S metabolism in marine algae. This
review intends to integrate ecological and physiological data to provide a comprehensive
view of the role of S in the oceans