A study led by the University of Oxford has identified a new type of planet beyond our Solar System – one that stores large amounts of sulphur deep within a permanent ocean of magma. The findings have been published today (16 March) in Nature Astronomy.

We demonstrate the broad distribution of particulate thiols in the western North Pacific and show that their main source is marine phytoplankton. Our analysis indicates that differences in thiol concentrations between ocean areas are significantly influenced by water mass properties, phytoplankton composition, and environmental stress. In the oligotrophic, highly transparent subtropical North Pacific Central Water, we find indications that "preformed" glutathione, retained in particulates derived from dead phytoplankton, makes a significant contribution.