Images
October 16, 2010 - Phytoplankton bloom in Spencer Gulf, Australia
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As winter gives way to spring, a large phytoplankton bloom brings swirls of peacock blue and green to Spencer Gulf, Australia. This true-color image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer perched aboard the Aqua satellite on October 10, 2010.
In this image, the arid Australian outback, which contains little vegetation, is colored red and tan. Bright white areas are broad salt flats. Closer to the coast, greens indicate vegetation, including forests and the water of the Great Australian Bight, a large open bay of the Indian Ocean, appears deep blue. Spencer Gulf is the westernmost inlet of the Bight and lies between the Eyre Peninsula on the west and the Yorke Peninsula on the east.
In many oceans, phytoplankton is most abundant in the spring and summer. In Spencer Gulf, scientists have measured the greatest chlorophyll-a concentration, which is associated with phytoplankton blooms, during the autumn and winter. This period of time corresponds to the peak period of aquaculture activity in the Gulf.
Many factors are responsible for phytoplankton blooms, such as upwelling of water, nutrient enrichment and weather factors. It is possible, though not yet proven, that techniques used in aquaculture may affect phytoplankton numbers, and that the industry may also face risk from potentially harmful natural blooms.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 10/10/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
As winter gives way to spring, a large phytoplankton bloom brings swirls of peacock blue and green to Spencer Gulf, Australia. This true-color image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer perched aboard the Aqua satellite on October 10, 2010.
In this image, the arid Australian outback, which contains little vegetation, is colored red and tan. Bright white areas are broad salt flats. Closer to the coast, greens indicate vegetation, including forests and the water of the Great Australian Bight, a large open bay of the Indian Ocean, appears deep blue. Spencer Gulf is the westernmost inlet of the Bight and lies between the Eyre Peninsula on the west and the Yorke Peninsula on the east.
In many oceans, phytoplankton is most abundant in the spring and summer. In Spencer Gulf, scientists have measured the greatest chlorophyll-a concentration, which is associated with phytoplankton blooms, during the autumn and winter. This period of time corresponds to the peak period of aquaculture activity in the Gulf.
Many factors are responsible for phytoplankton blooms, such as upwelling of water, nutrient enrichment and weather factors. It is possible, though not yet proven, that techniques used in aquaculture may affect phytoplankton numbers, and that the industry may also face risk from potentially harmful natural blooms.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 10/10/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
