NASA's Aqua satellite, part of its Earth Observing System (EOS), on May 10 captured a strikingly&nbsp;colourful picture of the Celtic Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean known for its maritime-rich ecosystems.&nbsp;

The image showed large colourful patterns on the sea of vibrant greens and blues stretched across. The colours could be attributed to phytoplankton bloom -&nbsp;microscopic plant-like organisms spread across the Celtic Sea.

The picture is illuminating for hundreds of kilometres and is simply breathtaking.&nbsp;

Aqua satellite carries several instruments onboard that observe various aspects of Earth's systems, such as the atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and ice. It provides valuable data for understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the Earth's water resources.

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This dazzling display was due to phytoplankton bloom, a natural spectacle fueled by warming temperatures and increased sunlight. Satellites observed the colourful phenomenon for over a week with the MODIS instrument.

<h2>Colorful canvas of Phytoplankton blooms</h2>

Phytoplankton, minuscule plant-like organisms, thrive near the ocean's surface. They are also primary producers, meaning they convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis.&nbsp;

They are a primary food source for a wide range of marine organisms, including small fish, shellfish, and whales. They form the base of the marine food chain. It supports the entire ecosystem.

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As spring transitions into summer, the northern seas, including the Celtic Sea, North Sea, and Barents Sea, become prime locations for these breathtaking blooms.

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Diatoms dominate early in the season, colouring the waters green with their silica shells and chlorophyll-rich bodies. As temperatures rise and the water stratifies, coccolithophores, adorned with reflective calcium carbonate plates, transform the sea into a mesmerising turquoise-blue expanse.

The unique blend of colours within these blooms may arise from a variety of phytoplankton species or from the presence of coloured dissolved organic matter in the surrounding waters. This organic matter can imbue the seawater with shades ranging from green to yellow-green to brown, in accordance to its concentration.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Aqua satellite, part of its Earth Observing System (EOS), on May 10 captured a strikingly colourful picture of the Celtic Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean known for its maritime-rich ecosystems.

NASA's Aqua satellite, part of its Earth Observing System (EOS), on May 10 captured a strikingly colourful picture of the Celtic Sea, an area of the North Atlantic Ocean known for its maritime-rich ecosystems. The image showed large colourful patterns on the sea of vibrant greens and blues stretched across. The colours could be attributed to phytoplankton bloom - microscopic plant-like organisms spread across the Celtic Sea. The picture is illuminating for hundreds of kilometres and is simply breathtaking. Aqua satellite carries several instruments onboard that observe various aspects of Earth's systems, such as the atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and ice. It provides valuable data for understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the Earth's water resources. Also Read | Blood proteins could forewarn cancer diagnosis by over 7 years, suggests study This dazzling display was due to phytoplankton bloom, a natural spectacle fueled by warming temperatures and increased sunlight. Satellites observed the colourful phenomenon for over a week with the MODIS instrument. Colorful canvas of Phytoplankton blooms Phytoplankton, minuscule plant-like organisms, thrive near the ocean's surface. They are also primary producers, meaning they convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis. They are a primary food source for a wide range of marine organisms, including small fish, shellfish, and whales. They form the base of the marine food chain. It supports the entire ecosystem. Also Read | Three stars found circling Milky Way’s halo, study shows they were formed 13 billion years ago As spring transitions into summer, the northern seas, including the Celtic Sea, North Sea, and Barents Sea, become prime locations for these breathtaking blooms. Watch | Sun launches strongest Solar flare of its current 11-year cycle × Diatoms dominate early in the season, colouring the waters green with their silica shells and chlorophyll-rich bodies. As temperatures rise and the water stratifies, coccolithophores, adorned with reflective calcium carbonate plates, transform the sea into a mesmerising turquoise-blue expanse. The unique blend of colours within these blooms may arise from a variety of phytoplankton species or from the presence of coloured dissolved organic matter in the surrounding waters. This organic matter can imbue the seawater with shades ranging from green to yellow-green to brown, in accordance to its concentration. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA: Colourful microscopic plant-like organisms seen in Celtic Sea

According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator.

“The reason we care about this is not because we care about the colour, but because the colour is a reflection of the changes in the state of the ecosystem,” stated BB Cael, a scientist at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and author of the study which was published in Nature.

Earlier research has focused on the changes in the ocean's greenness, using the verdant chlorophyll present in its plankton, to know more about the impacts of climate change. However, the team led by Cael has studied the observations recorded by NASA's Modis-Aqua satellite which is an exhaustive data repository and searched for patterns of change in the colours of the ocean using a fuller colour spectrum, which included red and blue.

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Plankton of various sizes have been scattering light in different ways and plankton, which have different pigments, have been absorbing light in various ways.&nbsp;

<h2>More than 56 per cent of the oceans facing 'greening effect'</h2>

By studying the colour changes, scientists can provide clarity over changes in plankton populations across the world. Phytoplankton is important for ocean ecosystems because it remains at the base of many of its food chains.

“We do have changes in the colour that are significantly emerging in almost all of the ocean of the tropics or subtropics,” stated Cael. The changes have been noted in more than 56 per cent of the oceans across the world, which is an area more than all of the land spread on the globe.&nbsp;

In many areas there’s a clear “greening effect”, &nbsp;stated Cael, however, he added that there are also water bodies where the blue or red colourings are falling or rising.&nbsp;

“These are not ultra, massive ecosystem-destroying changes, they may be subtle,” stated Cael. “But this gives us an additional piece of evidence that human activity is likely affecting large parts of the global biosphere in a way that we haven’t been able to understand," he added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Scientists unravel the mystery of Indian Ocean

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A researcher of ocean productivity at Oregon State University, Michael J Behrenfeld, said that the study extensively documents another consequence of changing climate. However, it remains unclear how strong these changes are and what exactly is taking place inside the ocean which is causing them.&nbsp;

“Most likely, the measured trends are associated with multiple factors changing in parallel. With answers to these questions, we can then begin understanding what the ecological and biogeochemical implications are,” stated Behrenfeld.

An advanced satellite mission called Pace (plankton, aerosol, cloud, ocean ecosystem) will be launched by NASA in January 204 which will measure hundreds of colours in the ocean. “Making more meaningful inferences about what the changes actually are ecologically is definitely a big next step,” stated Cael.

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator.

According to new research, the colour of the Earth's oceans is changing because of climate breakdown. The report suggests that the deep blue sea is actually turning greener over time and added that climate change is also affecting areas in the low latitudes near the equator. “The reason we care about this is not because we care about the colour, but because the colour is a reflection of the changes in the state of the ecosystem,” stated BB Cael, a scientist at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and author of the study which was published in Nature. Earlier research has focused on the changes in the ocean's greenness, using the verdant chlorophyll present in its plankton, to know more about the impacts of climate change. However, the team led by Cael has studied the observations recorded by NASA's Modis-Aqua satellite which is an exhaustive data repository and searched for patterns of change in the colours of the ocean using a fuller colour spectrum, which included red and blue. ALSO READ | Explained: How deep-sea mining & demand for green technologies threaten marine life Plankton of various sizes have been scattering light in different ways and plankton, which have different pigments, have been absorbing light in various ways. More than 56 per cent of the oceans facing 'greening effect' By studying the colour changes, scientists can provide clarity over changes in plankton populations across the world. Phytoplankton is important for ocean ecosystems because it remains at the base of many of its food chains. “We do have changes in the colour that are significantly emerging in almost all of the ocean of the tropics or subtropics,” stated Cael. The changes have been noted in more than 56 per cent of the oceans across the world, which is an area more than all of the land spread on the globe. In many areas there’s a clear “greening effect”, stated Cael, however, he added that there are also water bodies where the blue or red colourings are falling or rising. “These are not ultra, massive ecosystem-destroying changes, they may be subtle,” stated Cael. “But this gives us an additional piece of evidence that human activity is likely affecting large parts of the global biosphere in a way that we haven’t been able to understand," he added. WATCH | Scientists unravel the mystery of Indian Ocean A researcher of ocean productivity at Oregon State University, Michael J Behrenfeld, said that the study extensively documents another consequence of changing climate. However, it remains unclear how strong these changes are and what exactly is taking place inside the ocean which is causing them. “Most likely, the measured trends are associated with multiple factors changing in parallel. With answers to these questions, we can then begin understanding what the ecological and biogeochemical implications are,” stated Behrenfeld. An advanced satellite mission called Pace (plankton, aerosol, cloud, ocean ecosystem) will be launched by NASA in January 204 which will measure hundreds of colours in the ocean. “Making more meaningful inferences about what the changes actually are ecologically is definitely a big next step,” stated Cael. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Climate change making world's oceans 'green', suggests new study

The long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns show that climate change is happening at a very fast pace. Continuous rise in temperatures, disruption of the usual balance of nature, changes in the intensity and frequency of precipitation, and warmer oceans, are some of the clear indications of climate change.

The long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns show that climate change is happening at a very fast pace. Continuous rise in temperatures, disruption of the usual balance of nature, changes in the intensity and frequency of precipitation, and warmer oceans, are some of the clear indications of climate change. Global calls have been raised to tackle the situation that is worsening with every single moment. Some climate scientists have suggested raising the number of phytoplankton present in the ocean can help remove more carbon from the atmosphere. ALSO READ | Research suggests now-extinct megalodon shark could devour killer whale in just five bites What are phytoplanktons? Phytoplanktons are microscopic marine algae. These single-celled photosynthetic organisms live suspended in water. They provide food for a wide range of sea creatures in a balanced ecosystem. Just like plants, they consume carbon dioxide, make carbohydrates using light energy, and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. John Martin, the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories oceanographer, said in 1988 that if someone gave him half a tanker of iron, he would somehow cause an ice age. The reference was the known fact that Iron is a crucial source of energy for the plankton community. It helps phytoplankton bloom. ALSO READ | 'The Calvine Photo': A myth or 'world's clearest' UFO photo that it released after 30 years? Even a small addition of iron may lead to a substantial increase in the production of phytoplankton and eventually reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Well, scientists have also claimed that this approach would require further investigations. Meanwhile, Ken Buesseler, who is a marine radiochemist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, investigated how and if adding iron changes the flux of carbon into the deep ocean. Reportedly, he discovered a sizable carbon-sequestering effect. Buesseler reportedly said that his research demonstrated unequivocally that increasing iron leads to the uptake of carbon dioxide. The research was completed nearly 20 years ago but it is more relevant now considering the climate crisis we are facing. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists suggest a rise in phytoplankton in oceans could help tackle climate change

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