The MarParCloud (Marine biological production, organic aerosol particles and marine clouds: a Process Chain) project involves a compact network consisting of the TROPOS, the ZMT, the IOW and the Universities of Oldenburg and Hamburg. The aim of this network is to investigate the entire process chain of biological production of organic matter in the oceans, the export of organic matter to marine aerosol particles and finally their abilities to act as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei. A combination of tank experiments, laboratory studies and multiple field campaigns are being used to address each working groups question. My project falls under working group 2b (Chemical characterization of OM in seawater: bulk-water and SML, focus: organic gels, nutrients)

within the MarParCloud project. I seek to understand the biochemical processes which help to transport OM to and from the sea surface microlayer (SML) and the role of the SML in this process chain: specifically focusing on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).

Link: www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/research/research-projects/marparcloud.html