Studies are being carried out into algae which could produce a cloud belt.

The project was revealed yesterday by Dr. Tony Knap, director of the Bermuda Biological Station.

He said coccolithophores -- small ocean plants -- sent sulphur into the atmosphere when they died. The sulphur produces clouds which could prevent ocean warming.

"The ocean is responsible for the climate,'' Dr. Knap told Hamilton Rotarians at the Princess Hotel.

It had been calculated an increase in clouds in the northern hemisphere by two percent would change the whiteness of the earth to reflect heat.

"This would offset the warming caused by carbon dioxide,'' claimed Dr. Knap.

Dr. Knap said the algae study was one of a raft of projects being carried outn by the biological station.

Results from the studies could be relayed around the world under an ambitious scheme for countries to share their information.

Dr. Knap said the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) marked a bid to "internationalise global data'' through computers.

This would help scientists predict more accurately weather conditions, including storms, hurricanes, and floods.

"It will increase the skill factor,'' said Dr. Knap, who first disclosed the plan in February.

It was hoped GOOS would gain access to US military information, previously dubbed classified. The Russians were also thought to have important data, which could have international benefits.

Dr. Knap said the revolutionary idea could save billions of dollars worldwide.

And GOOS would serve multi-million dollar industries, such as fishing, shipping, and tourism.

Dr. Knap, who heads the United Nations committee on pollution, said Bermuda would play a major role in the weather watch.

And he had been travelling around the world in a bid to get GOOS's headquarters set up in Bermuda. But he added: "I am not sure we will get the head office here.'' Dr. Knap urged people to help sponsor the Bio Station in its efforts.

He likened it to paying insurance premiums -- in this case, environmental insurance.

One of the great scientific concerns was the warming of the surface ocean temperature, which led to coral bleaching, said Dr. Knap.

Between 1970 and 1993 the temperature had risen greatly. Sea levels had also been rising, particularly in Bermuda.

It was essential for scientists to have the information to examine the impact of such climatic changes.