Biochemical characteristics of the sea surface microlayer in the central Baltic Sea and potential signatures of cyanobacterial blooms
Abstract
Abstract. The sea surface microlayer (SML) forms the 20µm) were enhanced in the ULW, mirroring POC>20µm and cyanobacterial biomass patterns. The significant correlation between phytoplankton >20µm biomass and POC>20µm suggests that the particulate organic carbon pool was largely cyanobacteria-derived, even in the absence of a distinct bloom. Together, our results imply that phytoplankton size structure and taxonomy exert distinct biomolecular imprints on SML chemistry in the Central Baltic Sea. The contrasting roles of filamentous/colonial cyanobacteria (proteinaceous signatures) and Synechococcus (carbohydrate/surface-activity imprint) imply community-dependent modulation of surface activity and, indicate that changes in biodiversity may potentially impact air–sea gas exchange in the ocean.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Marine and coastal ecosystems
Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Biogeosciences
- Publisher
- Copernicus GmbH
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 4145–4169
- Publication date
- 23 June 2026
- Language
- EN