The surface layer of the ocean, teeming with microscopic life, plays a crucial role in global processes such as climate regulation. Marine bacteria in these layers are of particular interest to scientists due to their impact on various oceanic processes. These bacteria play important roles in the production and decay of substances called surfactants. In turn, surfactants influence the formation of sea slicks – which are areas of calmer waters visible on the ocean’s surface. Surfactants affect how the ocean and atmosphere interact, influencing the exchange of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. They also help produce marine aerosols, tiny particles that impact cloud formation and climate.

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