\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Earth\'s Oceans Are Turning Green. Here\'s Why
Earth\'s Oceans Are Turning Green. Here\'s Why
5 July 2024
Over the past 20 years, 56% of the world\'s oceans have experienced a shift in colour from blue to green
The primary cause of this colour change is linked to climate change, which affects marine ecosystems and plankton populations
Phytoplankton, the microscopic organisms foundational to the marine food web, are proliferating, causing the greener hue
Warmer sea surface temperatures have led to more stratified oceans, reducing nutrient mixing and favouring different plankton types
Increased detrital particles and coloured dissolved materials in the water also contribute to the green shift
The MODIS instrument on NASA\'s Aqua satellite has been critical in detecting these subtle but significant colour changes over two decades
These changes are especially pronounced in tropical regions near the equator
Monitoring ocean colours beyond just chlorophyll levels provides a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem changes
The greening of oceans impacts the carbon cycle, as different types of plankton have varying abilities to absorb carbon dioxide
Satellites like NASA\'s PACE, launched in February this year, will offer even finer colour resolution to help further investigate these ecological shifts
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