SeaWiFS The Meaning of Ocean Color The Role of Phytoplankton The Carbon Absorbing Oceans

What are phytoplankton? Why are phytoplankton important? How could a fisherman use phytoplankton data? Ocean Productivity Activity Coccolithophore Bloom in the Eastern Bering Sea   read more... Cold waters have high concentrations of nutrients, leading to phytoplankton growth and creating a highly productive fishing area. Ocean plants live within 200 meters from the surface where there is sunlight. How could a fisherman use data on phytoplankton? These small plants are the beginning of the food chain for most of the planet. As phytoplankton grow and multiply, small fish and other animals eat them as food. Larger animals then eat these smaller ones. The ocean fishing industry finds good fishing spots by looking at ocean color images to locate areas rich in phytoplankton. Ocean color is therefore a valuable research tool for the study of ocean biology, chemistry, and physics When wind-driven surface currents carry water away from continents, an upwelling of deep ocean water occurs. These cold waters have high concentrations of nutrients, leading to phytoplankton growth and creating a highly productive fishing area. Ocean plants live within 200 meters of the surface where there is sunlight.

Earth Science Enterprise Home | For Kids Only! | ESE Homepage | NASA Homepage