Images
February 11, 2010 - Phytoplankton Bloom off Argentina
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Ripples of blue and green color the south Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Argentina in this image captured by the Aqua satellite on February 9, 2010. The colors are due to the presence of phytoplankton in the water.
Phytoplankton are tiny plant-like organisms that live in the surface waters of the ocean. They grow best in cool waters, where the temperature
difference between the surface and the ocean’s depths is small enough
to allow nutrient-rich deep water to mix with surface waters. This is one reason why this region gets such spectacular phytoplankton blooms. There is a cold current that sweeps north from Antarctica along the coast of
Argentina. Additionally, winds often drive upwelling along the continental
shelf. The combination of the current and upwelling cool the South Atlantic in this region, making it possible for nutrient-rich deep water to reach the surface.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 02/09/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Ripples of blue and green color the south Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Argentina in this image captured by the Aqua satellite on February 9, 2010. The colors are due to the presence of phytoplankton in the water.
Phytoplankton are tiny plant-like organisms that live in the surface waters of the ocean. They grow best in cool waters, where the temperature difference between the surface and the ocean’s depths is small enough to allow nutrient-rich deep water to mix with surface waters. This is one reason why this region gets such spectacular phytoplankton blooms. There is a cold current that sweeps north from Antarctica along the coast of Argentina. Additionally, winds often drive upwelling along the continental shelf. The combination of the current and upwelling cool the South Atlantic in this region, making it possible for nutrient-rich deep water to reach the surface.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Aqua
Date Acquired: 02/09/2010
Resolutions:
1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
