Significant uncertainties remain in predicting the effects of air-sea exchange processes across local to global scales. For instance, air-sea gas flux can be suppressed by the heterogeneous presence of surface-active substances (surfactants) in the sea-surface microlayer (SML). To date, research has largely focused on identifying patterns in the biomolecular composition of the SML and emitted aerosols; in the absence of a better proxy, it is assumed that key biomolecules relate to phytoplankton biomass, but direct linkages are lacking. Furthermore, a wide range of marine organisms, from bacteria to jellyfish, contribute to the production and transformation of organic matter in the Ocean, at species and ecosystem levels. This session invites contributions that explore whether marine biota can help explain observed spatiotemporal variability in the composition of the SML and aerosols, and the suppression of air-sea gas exchange. Such insights may refine our understanding of the relationship between specific biomolecules and traditional bulk proxies, such as phytoplankton biomass or dissolved organic carbon. As ocean warming and climate change induces ecosystem shifts, identifying biodiversity-driven variability in air-sea exchange processes becomes increasingly important. Uncovering these connections may improve predictions of future ecosystem services, including Blue Carbon storage or cloud formation.

• Air-Sea Interactions -
• Climate and Ocean Change -
• Marine Ecology and Biodiversity -