Recent research from the University of Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute has revealed that the arrangement of water molecules at the surface of salty water is more complex than previously described in textbooks. Traditionally, it was believed that ions would cluster at the surface, creating a smooth electric field. However, this study shows that ions actually occupy a subsurface layer, leaving the top layer mostly free of ions. This finding alters our understanding of how gases interact with water droplets, how pollutants transform, and even how energy moves in batteries. The implications of this research extend to atmospheric chemistry, where the behavior of sea-salt droplets can influence climate and air quality. The study highlights the need to rethink existing models and consider a layered interface that reshapes hydrogen-bonding patterns in water.