In early May 2024, NASA observed an expanding spring phytoplankton bloom in the Black Sea.
NASA's Terra satellite, equipped with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), captured a true-color image on May 7, 2024, revealing the bright colors associated with the phytoplankton bloom. These blooms are a natural phenomenon and crucial to the marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton are microscopic, plant-like organisms that form the base of the marine food web and produce a significant portion of the Earth's oxygen. The colors observed in satellite imagery are due to the pigments within the phytoplankton, which vary depending on the species and environmental conditions.
The specific type of phytoplankton causing the bloom and its impact on the local environment would require further study. Satellite observations like these are essential for monitoring ocean health and understanding the dynamics of marine ecosystems.
