Antarctic sea surface microlayer (SML) and bulk water samples were collected during the PI-ICE campaign from January until March 2019 at the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. SML samples were collected using the glass plate technique, corresponding bulk (subsurface) samples were collected by submerging a plastic bottle below the sea surface. Following chemical parameters were determined: dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), total chlorophyll-a, main inorganic ions (chloride, sulfate, sodium, etc.), dissolved free carbohydrates (DFCHO), dissolved combined carbohydrates (DCCHO) and particulate combined carbohydrates (PCCHO). DCCHO and DFCHO were measured from filtered (0.2 µm) seawater after a desalination using electro-dialysis and high-performance anion exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). PCCHO were measured from filters (0.2 µm polycarbonate membrane). DFCHO, DCCHO and PCCHO were determined as the sum of individual monosaccharides (e.g. arabinose, glucose, galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, muramic acid, galacturonic acid, etc.). More details about the analytical procedures can be found in the manuscript. These data were collected in order to improve the understanding of the sea-air transfer of carbohydrates in this pristine environment. A corresponding data set for size-resolved aerosol particles can be found under following doi number (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.927565).

<0 = below detection limit, empty cells = not determined