How plankton and bacteria shape ocean spray

As the oceans ebb and flow, the resulting waves and splashes form tiny bubbles.The bubbles burst and release a vapor — called sea spray aerosol — into the air. This aerosol scatters sunlight and is involved in forming clouds and ultimately climate. But no two bubbles are the same, researchers report. They analyzed sea spray and found that the atmospheric-changing properties of the bubbles are influenced by phytoplankton and bacteria in the water.