Gepubliceerd op 4 augustus 2023
This image was acquired yesterday by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites. It shows a large phytoplankton bloom north of the Scandinavian Peninsula, spanning over 200,000 km².
Phytoplankton consists of microscopic plant-like organisms that float in seas and oceans, which play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. In the Barents Sea, an Arctic region subject to a delicate equilibrium between temperature and salinity, these blooms are a relatively common phenomenon, particularly during the summer months when the abundance of sunlight stimulates phytoplankton growth.
Observation of these phenomena is crucial for understanding changes in marine ecosystems and potential repercussions on fish resources and global climate. Copernicus open data allow for monitoring and analysing these phenomena in near real-time.
For more astounding image like this one,
visit the Copernicus Image of the Day website