Dr Stephen D. Archer
Biological Oceanography
Dr Stephen Archer's
research explores the inter-relationships between the microbiology
of the oceans and their environment, extending to their influence
on atmospheric chemistry and climate. Currently, his interests
focus on understanding the biological processes that control the
exchange of dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and volatile organic halogens
between ocean and atmosphere. These climate-relevant compounds
substantially influence the radiative properties of oceanic clouds
and atmospheric chemistry, including levels of ozone.
Dr Archer combines laboratory experimentation with
oceanic and coastal fieldwork to elucidate the physiological
requirements of, and trophic interactions between, highly active
communities of microbial algae, bacteria, zooplankton and viruses
in the surface ocean. These processes partially govern the
production and fate of trace gases. Turning this empirical
information into predictive mathematical models is a fundamental
aspiration of his work. Dr Archer currently
collaborates with colleagues at the Universities of Essex and East
Anglia and with research groups in the Netherlands, Hawaii and
Spain.
Steve Archer is author of over 40 peer reviewed papers.
Selected recent publications
- Airs RL, Archer SD. in
press. Analysis of particle-associated glycine betaine in seawater
by electrospray ionisation-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Limnology and Oceanography Methods.
- Archer SD, Safi K, Hall
J, Law CS, Cummings D, Harvey M. in press. Grazing suppression of
dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) accumulation in iron-fertilised,
sub-Antarctic waters. Deep-Sea Research II.
- Le Clainche Y, Vézina A, Levasseur M,
Cropp RA, Gunson JR, Vallina S, Vogt M, Lancelot, Allen I,
Archer SD. in press. A first appraisal of
prognostic ocean DMS models and prospects for their use in climate
models. Global Biogeochemical Cycles.
- Archer SD, Ragni M,
Webster R, Airs RL, Geider RJ. 2010. Dimethyl sulfoniopropionate
and dimethyl sulfide production in response to photoinhibition in
Emiliania huxleyi. Limnology and Oceanography,
35(4), 1579-1589
- Breckels MN, Boakes DE, Codling EA, Malin
G, Archer SD, Steinke M. 2010. Modelling the
concentration of exuded dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) in the
boundary layer surrounding phytoplankton cells. Journal of
Plankton Research, 32, 253-257
- Huebert BJ, Blomquist BW, Yang MX,
Archer SD, Nightingale PD, Yelland MJ, Stephens J,
Pascal RW, Moat BI. 2010. Linearity of DMS transfer coefficient
with both friction velocity and wind speed in the moderate wind
speed range. Geophysical Research Letters, 37, L01605,
doi:10.1029/2009GL041203
- Archer SD, Cummings DG,
Llewellyn CA, Fishwick JR. 2009. Phytoplankton taxa, irradiance and
nutrient availability determine the seasonal cycle of DMSP in
temperate shelf seas. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 394,
111-124
- Archer SD. 2007. Crucial
uncertainties in predicting biological control of DMS emission.
Environmental Chemistry, 4, 404-405
- Archer SD, Goldson LE,
Liddicoat MI, Cummings DG, Nightingale PD. 2007. Marked seasonality
in the concentrations and sea-to-air flux of volatile iodocarbon
compounds in the western English Channel. Journal of
Geophysical Research-Oceans, 112, C08009,
doi:10.1029/2006JC003963
- Kimmance SA, Wilson WH, Archer
SD. 2007. Modified dilution technique to estimate viral
versus grazing mortality of phytoplankton: limitations associated
with method sensitivity in natural waters. Aquatic Microbial
Ecology, 49, 207-222
Key research projects
- NERC Consortium: Ocean Acidification
Impacts on Sea-Surface Biology, Biogeochemistry and Climate.
Nightingale, Archer. NEH0173481 (2010)
- NERC Responsive: Role of dimethyl sulphide
(DMS) in tritrophic interactions. Steinke, Archer, Codling.
NE/H009485/1 (2010)
- European Centre for Arctic Environmental
Research: Climate-active gas production in the face of ocean
acidification in the Arctic: Archer, Kimmance, Hopkins
(2009)
- NERC small grant. Dimethyl sulphide (DMS)
sea-to-air transfer velocities in the Southern Ocean. Archer,
Nightingale. NE/F010656/1 (2007)
- EU FP7 – European Project on Ocean
Acidification (EPOCA). C Turley; Widdicombe Nightingale, Archer,
Blackford, Muhling (2007)
- NERC SOLAS: DUST-UP. Quantifying dust and
upwelling influences on DMS production and fluxes in the tropical
NE Atlantic. Allen, Archer, Nightingale, Holt. NE/E011306/1
(2007)
- NERC SOLAS: Comparison of DMS sea-to-air
flux measurements and possible role of near-surface gradients. PI.
Nightingale, Archer. NE/E011489/1 (2007)
- NERC SOLAS: INSPIRE – Investigation of
near-surface production of iodocarbons – rates and exchanges.
Malin, Nightingale, Archer, Allen, Smyth, Liss. NE/D006511/1
(2006)
- NERC SOLAS: Roles of DMSP and GBT in
protection from photoinhibition/photooxidative stress and
consequences for DMS and NH3 production. Archer, Geider, Underwood,
Baker, Llewellyn. NE/C51715X/1 (2005)
- NERC IOF grant: Advances in Marine
Ecosystem Modelling Research (AMEMR). Allen, Blackford, Archer
(2005)
Affiliations