An IGAC activity beginning in 1990 to study the major sources and sinks of trace species that affect the radiative balance of the earth either directory or indirectly by altering the photochemistry of the marine atmosphere. The scientific goals of MAGE were:

to understand the chemical, biological and physical mechanisms that control the exchange of trace gases and particulate material between the atmosphere and ocean surface;

to develop formulations of ocean exchange processes for inclusion in global–scale climate and air chemistry models; and

to extend the experimental knowledge of air–sea interchange to conditions with strong winds, rough seas and spray.