Phytoplankton Bloom off Iceland

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Text, Earth Watch, Exploring the Blue Planet by Satellite, Iceland's Phytoplankton Bloom. Earth Observatory, Earth Observatory dot NASA dot gov. -- Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, Aqua Satellite.

 

When phytoplankton reach high concentrations at the ocean's surface, satellites can observe them from space. From 50 kilometers above, a phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean, July 6, 2019.

 

Text, Every year, a bright display of these tiny, plant-like organisms appears off the coast of Iceland.

 

Phytoplankton blooms appear earlier in the year at lower latitudes and become more common at higher latitudes by spring and mid-summer.

 

Along the coastline, the phytoplankton blooms in the ocean are blue and green.

 

Text, Phytoplankton are a critical part of the ocean's food chain.

 

These localized blooms support Iceland's productive fisheries.

 

The satellite continues to record the blooms.

 

Text, Phytoplankton also trace the day's patterns of surface water flow.

 

Each bloom has a unique swirled formation in the water.

 

Text, No two views are ever the same.

 

To learn more, go to Earth Observatory dot NASA dot gov.