The sea surface microlayer (SML) is the boundary layer between the atmosphere and ocean, spanning the uppermost ~1 mm of the ocean. The SML is typically enriched with organic matter and microbial cells creating a distinct organic film between the ocean and atmosphere. The existence of the SML is a global phenomenon, and due to its unique position, all material and energy exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere has to pass through this interfacial boundary layer. A new emerging consensus in the literature describes the SML as biofilm-like and microbial-rich habitat. The global prevalence of the SML, its unique position between the ocean and atmosphere and re-current biofilm-like features has recently pushed the SML into a central role in ocean and climate science.

Credit:
Contributers: BASS group
Filmmaker: Thom Hoffmann

The sea surface microlayer (SML) is the boundary layer between the atmosphere and ocean, spanning the uppermost ~1 mm of the ocean. The SML is typically enriched with organic matter and microbial cells creating a distinct organic film between the ocean and atmosphere. The existence of the SML is a global phenomenon, and due to its unique position, all material and energy exchanged between the ocean and atmosphere has to pass through this interfacial boundary layer. A new emerging consensus in the literature describes the SML as biofilm-like and microbial-rich habitat. The global prevalence of the SML, its unique position between the ocean and atmosphere and re-current biofilm-like features has recently pushed the SML into a central role in ocean and climate science.

Credit:
Contributers: BASS group
Filmmaker: Thom Hoffmann