NASA has revealed the mystery of the turquoise waters on the continental shelf, including the Falklands.
Scientists say the colorful spectacle captured is a positive indicator of ocean health and the effects of climate change.
Hyperspectral sensors from NASA 's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ecosystem) project have captured a palette of turquoise and green colors in the waters of a large portion of the continental shelf that includes the Falkland Islands , and this could be a positive indicator of the dynamism of the marine ecosystem.
Visible only from space , the natural phenomenon of millions of microorganisms clustered over vast areas was recorded by cutting-edge satellite technology. It was a massive phytoplankton bloom that caught the attention of the international scientific community.
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Photo: NASA
Phytoplankton, a group of photosynthetic microorganisms essential to life in the oceans , acts as the lungs of the Earth and produces approximately half of the oxygen we breathe. It is at the base of the food chain, meaning it feeds other marine animals, directly or indirectly.
Observed from space, it offers valuable information on ocean health and the effects of climate change , which will be monitored over time. The colorful spectacle seen on the sea surface is formed by coccolithophores, known for their calcium carbonate coating that reflects sunlight and colors the water a characteristic turquoise hue.
Although no negative effects have been observed so far, scientists warn about the importance of preserving these natural ecosystems, which are essential to the health of the planet.
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