Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) concentrations were observed from October 1999 to September 2000 in a Mediterranean ecosystem (Little Bay of Toulon) submitted to eutrophication. DMSP was measured in the particulate material (DMSP p), and more specifically in the >90, 5–90 and 0.2–5 μm fractions. DMSP was first converted into dimethylsulfide (DMS) by a cold alkali treatment. DMS was then analysed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame photometric detector (FPD). DMSP p concentrations were relatively high, showing a strong temporal variability with maxima in February–March (58.8 nM). The most elevated values were recorded in the 5–90 μm size class, and represented between 60% and 100% of the total DMSP p. This fraction was mostly composed of Dinoflagellates whose biomass was significantly correlated with DMSP p concentrations. These concentrations showed better correlations with Ceratium furca, Dinophysis acuminata, Prorocentrum arcuatum and also Alexandrium minutum. The intracellular contents of DMSP were much higher in Dinoflagellates (124.9±5.7 mM) than in Diatoms (25.1±1.1 mM). A. minutum produced the strongest intracellular concentrations (3387.6±121.9 mM). High DMSP contents were also found in D. acuminata (477.4±64.3 mM) and P. arcuatum (442.2±22.9 mM). The >90 μm size class had a minor importance in DMSP production, generally below 20% of the total DMSP p. However, DMSP in the >90 μm fraction was well correlated with cladoceran abundance. Plankton cells between 0.2 and 5 μm contained a low part of the DMSP p pool, lower than 20%. Besides, no correlation was found between their algal abundances and DMSP in the 0.2–5 μm size class. Temperature and photoperiod could have influenced the Dinoflagellate development, and consequently, the DMSP p concentrations. The strong autumnal rains affected the composition of the phytoplankton community and the production of sulfur compounds. These particular climatic conditions have induced an increase in nutrient concentrations and a drop in salinity, which may explain the low autumnal DMSP p concentrations.