Fri Sep 20 13:16:04 UTC 2024: ## UD Researchers Unravel the Secrets of the Sea Surface Microlayer
**Newark, DE** – Scientists from the University of Delaware and the University of Georgia recently embarked on a research cruise to study the sea surface microlayer, a crucial yet understudied zone where the ocean and atmosphere interact. This critical layer plays a vital role in regulating carbon cycles and climate, yet its study poses significant challenges due to its thinness and the difficulty of sampling.
The team, led by UD’s Andrew Wozniak and UGA’s Amanda Frossard, faced stormy weather and the COVID-19 pandemic during their previous attempts. However, their persistence paid off with this successful research expedition on board the University of Delaware’s Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp.
The team focused on understanding the behavior of surfactants, compounds that reduce surface tension and accumulate in the microlayer. They investigated how these surfactants influence the exchange of gases and particles between the ocean and the atmosphere.
“We want to understand what surfactants are in the ocean, how they partition to the microlayer and what affects their concentration and their composition,” explained Frossard. “We’re collecting samples here, some that we’re processing on the ship, but we’re taking all of them back to the lab to do different analyses.”
The collection process was particularly challenging. The microlayer is incredibly thin, about the thickness of a piece of copy paper. The researchers used a glass plate to collect the microlayer, scraping it into a bottle, a process that took hours to collect enough material.
The team devised a creative solution by equipping a Rosette sampler with glass plates instead of bottles, enabling them to efficiently collect the microlayer while minimizing disruption. This innovative approach, developed through collaboration with the ship’s crew, allowed them to gather a sufficient volume of samples for analysis.
The research conducted during the expedition will provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the sea surface microlayer, particularly its influence on gas exchange and particle emissions. This information will contribute to more accurate climate models and a better understanding of the crucial role the microlayer plays in the Earth’s climate system.
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