Images
May 30, 2008 - Phytoplankton Bloom Near Ireland
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The ocean west of Ireland is vibrant with color in
this image captured by the MODIS on the Terra satellite on May 25,
2008. The blue and green colors swirling in the ocean waters indicate
massive amounts of microscopic marine plants called phytoplankton. The
variety of colors can be due to varying concentrations and types of
phytoplankton and the chlorophyll and other pigments they contain.
Very dark green areas could be caused by extremely high levels of
phytoplankton - so much light is being absorbed by chlorophyll that
the water appears dark!
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 05/25/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The ocean west of Ireland is vibrant with color in this image captured by the MODIS on the Terra satellite on May 25, 2008. The blue and green colors swirling in the ocean waters indicate massive amounts of microscopic marine plants called phytoplankton. The variety of colors can be due to varying concentrations and types of phytoplankton and the chlorophyll and other pigments they contain.
Very dark green areas could be caused by extremely high levels of phytoplankton - so much light is being absorbed by chlorophyll that the water appears dark!
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 05/25/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
