Temperature and Salinity Anomalies in the Sea Surface Microlayer of the South Pacific During Precipitation Events.

We present the results of salinity (ΔS) and temperature (ΔT) anomalies in the sea surface microlayer (SML) in relation to the underlying mixed bulk water (bulk). Several light to moderate rain events were recorded in the southern Pacific near Fiji using our remotely operated catamaran. Precipitation and evaporation drive freshwater fluxes across the sea surface (i.e., the SML) and are the most essential processes of the hydrologic cycle. However, measurements of the SML during precipitation are rare, but necessary to fully understand freshwater exchange at the air‐sea interface. Here we show that freshwater can mix rapidly with the bulk water through wind‐induced mixing, as ΔS and ΔT show a clear dependence on wind speed. At high wind speeds (5.1–11.6 m s−1), anomalies approach zero (ΔS = −0.02 ± 0.49 g kg−1, ΔT = −0.09 ± 0.46°C) but can reach ΔS = 1.00 ± 0.20 g kg−1 and ΔT = −0.37 ± 0.09°C at lower wind speeds (0–2 m s−1). We find shallow freshwater lenses and fronts, likely caused by past rainfall, with ΔS and ΔT of up to −1.11 g kg−1 and 1.77°C, respectively. Our observations suggest that freshwater lenses can be very shallow (<1 m depth) and missed by conventional measurements. In addition, the temperature and salinity in the SML respond to freshwater fluxes instantaneously. It highlights the role of the SML in a mechanistic understanding of the fate of freshwater over the ocean and, therefore, the global hydrologic cycle. Plain Language Summary: Rain and evaporation are the most important processes in the global water cycle, causing either the supply to or the removal of freshwater from the upper ocean, thereby changing the salinity of the sea surface. Evaporation also removes heat and lowers the temperature on the ocean surface. We used the measurements of sea surface microlayer (SML) salinity and temperature as key indicators to study hydrologic cycle processes during our cruise with the RV Falkor in the South Pacific and found that freshwater mixes rapidly with the underlying bulk water during strong winds (5.1–11.6 m s−1). We also detected shallow freshwater lenses and fronts, most likely caused by past rainfall, with ΔS and ΔT of up to −1.11 g kg−1 and 1.77°C, respectively. Our observations suggest that freshwater lenses can occur at the sea surface and that the SML respond to freshwater fluxes instantaneously. It highlights the role of the SML for future studies of the global hydrologic cycle. Key Points: Small scale air‐sea interactions (freshwater fluxes) during precipitation were investigated in the southern PacificTemperature and salinity anomalies occur with a high spatial variabilityMeasurements with remote controlled catamaran revealed shallow freshwater lenses, which were not detectable with ship based measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]