Images
August 12, 2008 - Phytoplankton Bloom off Japan
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The MODIS on the Terra satellite captured this image of a phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Japan on August 7, 2008. The bloom is off the eastern coast of the island of Hokkaido. This particular phytoplankton bloom is very concentrated, though fainter swirls of green are visible closer to the coast.
Phytoplankton are tiny marine organisms, that, much like their land-based plant relatives, use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into food.
Chlorophyll and other light-capturing pigments in others give the water a deep green hue. The proliferation of many different species in various stages of growth and decay can provide many nuances of color.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 08/07/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
The MODIS on the Terra satellite captured this image of a phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Japan on August 7, 2008. The bloom is off the eastern coast of the island of Hokkaido. This particular phytoplankton bloom is very concentrated, though fainter swirls of green are visible closer to the coast.
Phytoplankton are tiny marine organisms, that, much like their land-based plant relatives, use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into food. Chlorophyll and other light-capturing pigments in others give the water a deep green hue. The proliferation of many different species in various stages of growth and decay can provide many nuances of color.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 08/07/2008
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
